Brisbane Broncos v Gold Coast Titans: Clubs ready for a ‘cage fight’ in bid to break 2021 duck

Rising Broncos star Xavier Coates will be fit to take on the Titans in Round 2, but a teammate has taken a cheeky dig at one the winger’s dangerous habits.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 12: Richard Kennar of the Broncos and Ashley Taylor of the Titans exchanges words during the round 18 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Brisbane Broncos at Cbus Super Stadium on September 12, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

The Broncos have been warned to be ready for an M1 “cage fight” when they face a Gold Coast side free of their first round jitters on Friday.

Both clubs are coming off a Round 1 loss and will be desperate to avoid a 0-2 start to the 2021 season.

Former State of Origin forward Scott Sattler, who played for two incarnations of the Gold Coast team and is the son of foundation owner and Test great John, senses an old style derby could be just what the Gold Coast need.

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There is always plenty of intensity in a Titans v Broncos battle..

“This game has come at a good time for the Gold Coast,” Sattler said.

“You could see they were nervous and tentative against the Warriors. They just had to get that first game out of the way.

“Had they been playing the Sharks or Dragons in this match (Round 2), the temptation might be to manage their way into the season, but in game‘s like this the skill factor goes down and you get more raw aggression.

“This will be more like a cage fight and that will suit the Titans.”

It comes as Brisbane star winger Xavier Coates is set to line up on Friday night after suffering a neck injury during his side’s 24-16 loss to the Eels on Friday night.

The talented 20-year-old was back into full contact training on Monday in a positive sign he will be fit for this week’s M1 derby with the Titans.

Xavier Coates is expected to be fit.

Broncos centre Herbie Farnworth joked on Monday that Coates should avoid the theatrics in scoring tries to make sure he doesn’t suffer another injury.

“He’s fine (to play),” Farnworth said.

“I’m not too sure what happened but when he goes for the try, he needs to stop doing the fancy dive for the cameras and stay lower.

“A few of the boys have been talking to him about that today.”

The casualty ward from the Round 1 clash also included utility John Asiata (neck and shoulder) who trained with the squad on Monday and will be reassessed on Tuesday morning before coach Kevin Walters names his side.

Titans forward, and former Bronco, Jarrod Wallace called for calm following his side’s weekend loss but conceded they had to be better to beat the Broncos this week.

The Titans are ready to perform in front of their home fans.

“It’s not all doom and gloom,” Wallace said.

“It’s only Round 1.

“We’re a bit shell-shocked there, but we’ve just got to be better this week.

“It’s always a big, local derby game no matter how good or bad a team is going.

“They played some really good footy on the weekend … and I thought they were unlucky to get the (win).”

Originally published as Brisbane Broncos v Gold Coast Titans: Clubs ready for a ‘cage fight’ in bid to break 2021 duck