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Match Preview

Broncos v Titans: McCullough and Peats return; Taylor granted time out

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pan66.com
Timestamp

The form guide points to a Broncos victory but it's a local derby and the boys from the big smoke have a way of bringing the best out of the Titans.

Last week's home loss to a Cowboys side missing a couple of its best players was probably the last straw for some Titans fans and it'll be interesting to see how they bounce back from such an ordinary display - maybe not from a defensive standpoint but certainly offensively.

Gold Coast halfback Ash Taylor has been granted leave by the Titans and is out of the side.

The Broncos have won their past three games and Anthony Seibold will check on the fitness of his Origin players before finalising his side.

The Rundown

Team news

Broncos: In the final team list, three Origin players are out of the Broncos side for this local derby. Winger Corey Oates (hip injury), back rower Matt Gillett (rested) and Joe Ofahengaue (leg gash) will not play. Andrew McCullough will return from a knee injury on the bench. Former Rabbitoh Richie Kennar will make his Broncos debut coming in for Oates, while David Fifita will start for Gillett, and Jaydn Su'a comes onto the bench alongside Patrick Carrigan.

Titans: In the final line-up, Ash Taylor (personal reasons) is replaced at halfback by Ryley Jacks. Jai Arrow will back up at lock after pulling up well from Origin I. Nathan Peats has been cleared to return from a pectoral injury and will start at hooker with Mitch Rein reverting to the bench and Bryce Cartwright (flu) dropping out of the 17.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Darius Boyd
    Fullback for Titans is number 1 AJ Brimson
  • Winger for Broncos is number 5 Jamayne Isaako
    Winger for Titans is number 2 Anthony Don
  • Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
    Centre for Titans is number 3 Jesse Arthars
  • Centre for Broncos is number 4 Gehamat Shibasaki
    Centre for Titans is number 4 Brian Kelly
  • Winger for Broncos is number 20 Richard Kennar
    Winger for Titans is number 5 Dale Copley
  • Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Anthony Milford
    Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Tyrone Roberts
  • Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Tom Dearden
    Halfback for Titans is number 20 Ryley Jacks

Forwards

  • Prop for Broncos is number 8 Matthew Lodge
    Prop for Titans is number 8 Jarrod Wallace
  • Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Jake Turpin
    Hooker for Titans is number 21 Nathan Peats
  • Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
    Prop for Titans is number 10 Moeaki Fotuaika
  • 2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Alex Glenn
    2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Kevin Proctor
  • 2nd Row for Broncos is number 15 David Fifita
    2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Keegan Hipgrave
  • Lock for Broncos is number 13 Tevita Pangai Junior
    Lock for Titans is number 13 Jai Arrow

Interchange

  • Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Andrew McCullough
    Interchange for Titans is number 9 Mitch Rein
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Thomas Flegler
    Interchange for Titans is number 14 Tyrone Peachey
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 18 Patrick Carrigan
    Interchange for Titans is number 17 Jai Whitbread
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 19 Jaydn Su'a
    Interchange for Titans is number 18 Jack Stockwell

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Sutton
  • Referee: Phil Henderson
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated:

Key match-up

With Taylor out, Tyrone Roberts has to take it upon himself to provide direction and leadership in the halves. The Titans clearly need someone to be that player and Roberts might be their best bet. If he can out-wit Broncos playmaker Anthony Milford the Titans might spring an upset.

For the Broncos to win

The Broncos should be fired up to blow the Titans off the park in the first 20 minutes and have the game effectively put to bed by half-time. If they get out to an early lead it's hard to see the Titans digging their way out of a hole, although they did exactly that against Manly a couple of weeks ago. But the Broncos have too much to play for at this stage of the season and as long as they have the right attitude they should be too strong.

For the Titans to win

As much as they miss a tough leader like Ryan James, this team should've won more games with the talent they have on the roster. We're halfway through the season and it's time they all got on the same page.

Brett Kimmorley says

The Broncos are ready to go on a winning streak. They’ve got a very good pack of forwards but some of them will have to back up after Origin for the first time. Anthony Milford is the key for them. I don’t really know what the Titans are trying to do in attack. I think big brother might give little brother a bit of a lesson. Broncos by 14

Stat Attack

Not that they want to be, but Alex Glenn and Matt Gillett are the NRL's top two players for ineffective tackles, with 26 and 24 respectively, while winger Corey Oates is equal second in errors (21). Anthony Milford has kicked the most field goals (3), while the Broncos have the most intercepts (7) as a team.

And another thing ... 

The Titans and Broncos have developed a healthy big brother-little brother rivalry over the years and you're never really sure what to expect from their clashes, regardless of ladder positions. That was the case last year when the Titans sprung a 26-14 upset in their first meeting before the Broncos exacted revenge with a 34-0 rout in their second clash.

 

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