3:00 pm SATURDAY,AUGUST 3rd, 2024 CBUS STADIUM, GOLD COAST
- Titans vs Broncos: Southeast Queensland Derby with Top 8 Implications
- Both Teams Locked in a Fight for Top 8 Survival
- Contrasting Round 21 Outcomes for Titans and Broncos
- Titans’ Stunning Win Over Broncos Earlier This Season
- Titans’ Recent Form and Playoff Hopes
- Broncos’ Season Hits New Low After Heavy Defeat
- Broncos Struggling for Form and Finals Chances
- Broncos’ Team Changes and Injury Updates
- Key Match Stats and Records
- Prediction
Titans vs Broncos: Southeast Queensland Derby with Top 8 Implications
In one of the most critical southeast Queensland derbies ever, the Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane Broncos will battle for Top 8 survival at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Both Teams Locked in a Fight for Top 8 Survival
Both teams are tied at 20 points, four short of eighth place, and face the daunting task of needing to win every remaining game.
Contrasting Round 21 Outcomes for Titans and Broncos
They are also coming off contrasting outcomes from Round 21.
Having already secured a win against the Broncos this season, the unpredictable Titans will be confident in their chances of toppling their big brother again at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday.
Titans’ Stunning Win Over Broncos Earlier This Season
Sitting in 16th place at the time, the Titans stunned the fifth-placed Broncos 36-34 at Suncorp Stadium, with Keano Kini and Brian Kelly combining for 481 run metres and David Fifita adding 230 metres.
Titans’ Recent Form and Playoff Hopes
Since defeating the Broncos, the Titans have won four of seven games, keeping their slim finals hopes alive with a remarkable comeback from 14 points down to beat the Dolphins on Sunday.
Broncos’ Season Hits New Low After Heavy Defeat
The Broncos’ season hit a new low last week, going down in a 41-16 demolition at Suncorp Stadium against the Bulldogs, who ran in 24 straight points to kick off the second half.
Broncos Struggling for Form and Finals Chances
Brisbane has now lost six of their past seven matches, with this latest defeat further diminishing their finals chances. It’s been an extremely disappointing season, especially after coming so close to premiership glory last year.
Broncos’ Team Changes and Injury Updates
After clawing back to 16-10 down at halftime, their second-half capitulation defied belief.
The Broncos plight has been compounded with Selwyn Cobbo stood down, Corey Oates replaces him in the backline.
Brendan Piakura (quad) returns to bolster the pack, pushing Kobe Hetherington to the bench.
Broncos,
1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars, 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Blake Mozer 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Xavier Willison , 17. Martin Taupau 18. Josiah Karapani 19. Joshua Rogers 20. Tyson Smoothy 21. Vaa Semu , 22. Tristan Sailor
With AJ Brimson (groin) and Jaimin Jolliffe (pectoral) on their way back, the Titans are sure to prove a dangerous opponent for more favored rivals in the run to the finals.
Titans,
1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita, 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Erin Clark , 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Isaac Liu 15. Klese Haas 16. Keenan Palasia 17. Josiah Pahulu 18. Jaimin Jolliffe 19. AJ Brimson 20. Joe Stimson 21. Tanah Boyd 22. Tony Francis
Referee. Peter Gough, Touch Judges, Dan Schwass, Jarrod Cole ,Bunker, Wyatt Raymond.
Key Match Stats and Records
The Titans are aiming for three consecutive wins against the Broncos for only the second time.
The Broncos have won seven of their past nine games at Cbus Super Stadium.
Titans winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira needs one try to equal his own club record of 20, set in 2023.
Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam has scored four tries in five games against the Titans.
The Titans have won three of their past four games at Cbus Super Stadium.
Prediction
With Gold Coast sitting on the same number of points as the Broncos, the finals seems unlikely in 2024, but there is still plenty of time to build momentum towards next season. Both sides have struggled with their defence at various times this year, so it looks likely that this could be a high scoring affair.
The Titans remain unpredictable, but with the Broncos struggling for form, they have a great opportunity to secure another win over their big brother. I will go with the Broncos, but not by much.
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