NRL 2021: Brisbane Broncos turn disaster into delight with comeback win over Titans

Tyson Gamble is set to be rewarded for spearheading Brisbane Broncos’ historic comeback against the Titans in just his fourth NRL game in four years.

Corey Oates of the Broncos is congratulated by teammates after scoring a try. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Tyson Gamble is the $100,000 bargain buy halfback that could solve a million-dollar problem for Brisbane and is set to be rewarded for his efforts with a new deal at the Broncos.

Gamble made the most of his fourth NRL game in four years when he played a pivotal role in Brisbane’s record comeback win against the Gold Coast Titans on Friday night.

The Broncos overcame a 22-nil deficit after 15 minutes at Suncorp Stadium to beat the Titans 36-28, recording the biggest comeback win in Brisbane’s 33-year history.

While fullback Jamayne Isaako stole the show with his dazzling footwork, Gamble’s impact at halfback played a pivotal role.

Coach Kevin Walters took a punt on Gamble, pairing him with the recalled Anthony Milford as the duo became Brisbane’s fourth halves pairing in eight games this year.

Walters was vindicated as Gamble contained destructive Titans forward David Fifita, got under the skin of his opponents and played a role in three of Brisbane’s six tries.

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Tyson Gamble splits the Titans’ defensive line during the Broncos’ rousing comeback.

Off-contract at season’s end, the Broncos will look to retain Gamble and he now has an opportunity to wear Brisbane’s No. 7 jersey for the remainder of the year.

“It’s my fourth year full-time (in the NRL) and only my fourth game, that was my first win,” Gamble said.

“It’s just persistence. I knew I could do it. I felt like I could perform at this level. To play like that is a step in the right direction.

“It’s a rollercoaster ride being in the NRL. You can’t play well all the time. It’s about sticking to it and being persistent and nailing your role when the time comes.

“It can only be good things for me. If I keep playing like that there’s no reason I can’t stay (at the Broncos). At the end of the day it’s up to the club.

“I’m just happy to play footy at the moment and let the rest sort itself out at the end of the year.

“I don’t think I have to change anything, just keep playing the same way and get better every week.”

Tyson Gamble looks to offload.

A Redcliffe junior, Gamble made his NRL debut for Wests Tigers in 2018 but only managed one game for the club before heading back to Brisbane and not featuring in first grade in 2019.

He debuted for the Broncos off the bench in Round 11 last year and started at five-eighth against Parramatta in Round 19, only to be concussed in the opening minutes.

Walters experimented with Brodie Croft and Tom Dearden at halfback in the opening seven rounds this year with little success before deciding to give Gamble a crack.

At 24, Gamble transferred years of lower grade experience to the big stage and helped the Broncos produce their best performance of 2021.

Gamble was also in the Titans’ faces – giving it to fullback AJ Brimson after he was sin-binned – and said he loved the competitive nature of the game.

“It’s just a part of me – I can’t back down, it’s not in my nature,” he said.

“I love it. I love playing against my mates. I don’t think they like it too much but I can’t change.

“I sort of regret (blasting Brimson) but it’s just in my nature. I was just happy.”

Tyson Gamble went toe-to-toe with some of the Titans’ biggest names.

Walters said Gamble was proof the Intrust Super Cup was a breeding ground for NRL players.

“It goes to show the value the Intrust Super Cup plays,” he said.

“He has been waiting a long time. It’s his fourth game of first grade but he’s played three or four years of Intrust consistently well.

“I’m really happy for Tyson. I could see through the week that he started to take ownership of the team from the first training session.

“He has a loud voice and is clear with his directions. That’s what we’ve been lacking and he brought that.

“He had some nice touches, good kicks and defensively did a great job on Dave Fifita.

“We saw it a couple of weeks ago in the Intrust when he was playing against the Broncos fellas for Norths against Souths – he was into them.

“He is a passionate fella and I love that. He wants to win. He likes to talk and I like the way he goes about his work.

“Some of the players are playing for their futures. He did a great job for us. It’s a good start for him.”

Milford had some nice touches after spending the past fortnight in reserve grade and Walters said Gamble’s style of play freed up the maligned Broncos five-eighth, who is paid $1 million-a-season.

“He allows Anthony to roam and play at second-receiver,” he said.

“They were a good mix at training and it showed.”

BRONCOS MAKE HISTORY ON WILD NIGHT

Peter Badel and Travis Meyn

Embattled Brisbane produced the biggest comeback in their 33-year history as the Broncos went from diabolic to delightful in a head-spinning 36-28 derby defeat of the Titans at Suncorp Stadium.

Their confidence battered by 23 losses from their past 25 games, the Broncos looked set for another pounding when they capitulated early as the Gold Coast bolted to a stunning 22-0 lead after just 15 minutes.

But the crowd of 21,322 were shell-shocked as Brisbane sensationally rose from the canvas, producing a six-try blitz to stun the Titans with 36 unanswered points and record their second win from eight rounds.

Corey Oates of the Broncos is congratulated by teammates after scoring a try. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

It was the greatest fightback in Brisbane’s decorated history, eclipsing the 18-point deficit the Broncos overturned in a 30-28 defeat of Canberra in 2006, the year the glamour club last won the premiership.

While this is hardly a portent for another title, the titanic upset could prove a seminal building block in Broncos coach Kevin Walters’ Red Hill rebuilding mission.

New halves pairing Tyson Gamble and Anthony Milford vindicated Walters’ decision to wield the axe, while Jamayne Isaako, Corey Oates and Tevita Pangai Jnr were dominant as the Broncos found their fighting spirit

“We’re breaking records all the time,” Walters quipped. “At 22-0 I wasn’t too bothered, I was confident we could fight our way back and we did.”

Jake Turpin congratulates Jamayne Isaako after a try. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Tyson Gamble paid back the faith with a solid game. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

HIGH-OCTANE JAMAYNE

There is no doubting his talent but consistency is the final frontier Isaako must conquer to prove he can be a long-term proposition in the No. 1 jumper.

Isaako had an awful start, twice caught out of position at fullback as the Titans scored three of their four tries from kicks to leave the Broncos in tatters at 22-0 after 15 minutes.

But suddenly Isaako exploded into form. He was at the epicentre of Brisbane’s incredible riposte, scoring two tries and having a hand in three others to suggest he has a future in the backfield.

WORTH THE GAMBLE

What a gamble. What a response.

Handed the famous Broncos No.7 jumper for the first time, Tyson Gamble may be unheralded but forget his lack of profile; he is a passionate competitor.

The 24-year-old got under the Titans’ skin with a feisty display. In just his fourth game, the 189cm Gamble took on the line, led the kick chase and barked at his forwards like a halfback should, freeing up Milford to play with freedom at five-eighth.

“I’m really pleased for Tyson,” Walters said. “I could see through the week he took ownership of the team, he had a loud voice and direction and defensively he did a good job on Dave Fifita.”

Tevita Pangai Junior was dangerous all night. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

PANGAI POWER

There is talk the Broncos could offload Pangai Jnr. They would be mad to cut him. He is one of the few forwards in the code who can silence Titans wrecking ball David Fifita.

At 113kg and 190cm, the Tongan tearaway muscled up to Fifita and muzzled him in a mouth-watering back-row duel.

Aside from four tackle busts and three offloads in the first half, Pangai Jnr charged for 141 metres and threw the final pass for Isaako’s 38th-minute try which triggered the fightback.

Pangai Jnr is Brisbane’s barometer of energy. When TPJ fires, the Broncos usually win.

IT ALL GOES WRONG FOR THE TITANS

The Titans were well on their way to a fourth straight derby victory against the Broncos after scoring four quick tries to leave Brisbane stunned.

But then it all fell apart.

“We’re a million miles off,” said Titans coach Justin Holbrook.

“It was horrible to watch. We’re a third of the way through the comp now and we’ve only won three games.

“We started the year okay and now we’ve fallen away. It can be hard when you have a great attack then the minute they get the ball you forget to defend.

“We’re leaking points everywhere. We’re getting it horribly wrong.”

The Titans shot out to a stunning 22-point lead with a razzle dazzle display of football that had the crowd on the edge of their seats.

They play an entertaining style to watch and looked like they would run away with a big win against their M1 rivals.

But for the second straight week the Titans squandered a big lead on the back of their shocking defence which now appears to be a genuine problem for Holbrook.

The Titans have lost their past three games and conceded 112 points in the process at an average of 37 per match.

That isn’t good enough when you want to play finals football and they will likely find themselves out of the top eight by the end of the weekend.

The Titans had a 100 per cent completion rate in the first half but they have little defensive resilience or ability to swing momentum when their opposition gets on a roll.

“That’s been our issue for the past few weeks,” Holbrook said.

“We’re not good enough when we don’t have the ball and can’t stop the opposition. They’re worrying signs and something we have to fix.

“You haven’t got it won at 20 minutes. We can’t stop the opposition at the minute and it’s a big worry we have to fix.”

Corey Thompson of the Titans is helped from the field after injuring his ankle. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

FIFITA GOES MISSING

Titans try-scoring machine David Fifita didn’t fire a shot in his first trip to Suncorp Stadium since quitting the Broncos.

Fifita had scored nine tries in seven matches going into the game on the back of pure power running, but he was well-contained by his former club.

Matt Lodge roughed up Fifita with his first carry and the Broncos showed the way to combat Fifita’s explosive running is by rushing him and giving him no space.

Appearing to forget how devastating he is when carrying the ball, Fifita resorted to kicking at least four times but wasn’t able to get the Titans back into the game.

He needs to stick to what he does best – running over the top of his opponents.

AJ Brimson gets sent to the bin on a soft penalty. Picture: Nathan Hopkins/NRL Photos

SIN BIN SHAME

Titans fullback AJ Brimson was sin-binned following a marginal penalty and it proved to be a decisive moment in the game.

Brimson was on fire in the first half, registering a try and three line-breaks before he was sent from the field for 10 minutes for a professional foul on Broncos fullback Tyson Gamble.

The Broncos scored two tries while Brimson was on the sideline to bring the game back to 22-all.

Holbrook was critical of the refereeing in the Gold Coast’s 40-30 loss to South Sydney last week and Brimson’s sin-binning was a lineball decision.

But the Titans have to show more resilience when things go against them than they are at the moment.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Brisbane Broncos turn disaster into delight with comeback win over Titans