The Titans sit alone at the foot of the ladder but their big brothers in Brisbane have been copping more scathing criticism after four consecutive losses.
Aside from wanting to quieten their detractors and get their seasons back on track, both teams will be energised by a Queensland derby with a crowd of up to 10,000 allowed to attend after the state government on Sunday eased COVID-19 restrictions.
The Gold Coast have scored wins over the Broncos in two of their four meetings over the past couple of seasons.
Match: Broncos v Titans
Round 7 -
home Team
Broncos
15th Position
away Team
Titans
13th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The Rundown
Team News
Broncos: The Broncos will play 19-year-old half Tom Dearden off the bench against the Titans on Saturday night where he is set to play dummy-half. Jamayne Isaako is set to be 18th man with Dearden getting his first shot in the NRL this year.
"Tom is there to cover Issac Luke. We lost Cory Paix to injury on Tuesday and I don't think Issac is ready to play 80 minutes yet so Tom is there as cover," coach Anthony Seibold said. "He is a very smart footy player with a good passing and kicking game. He is a tough kid defensively."
Tesi Niu starts at fullback, while Pat Carrigan and Tom Flegler are suspended. Joseph Ofahengaue starts at lock and Rhys Kennedy joins the interchange with Paix (strained pec) dropping out. Tyson Gamble and Richard Kennar were cut 24 hours before kick-off while Jamil Hopoate and Ethan Bullemor were omitted an hour before game time. The Broncos have conceded the most penalties and received the fewest after seven rounds.
Titans: Jaimin Joliffe has been called into the starting side an hour before kick-off with Sam Lisone going to the bench. Dale Copley replaces Young Tonumaipea (knee) at centre, Mitch Rein bumps Erin Clark out of the hooker role, and Keegan Hipgrave is named to start with Bryce Cartwright out of the 17.
Jarrod Wallace returns on the interchange. Tyrone Roberts (ankle) was again named on an extended bench after coach Justin Holbrook said he was "right to go" but the playmaker was omitted 24 hours before kick-off along with Beau Fermor. Cartwright and Clark were cut an hour before game time. The Titans have defeated the Broncos in their past two clashes at Suncorp Stadium.
Match: Broncos v Titans
Round 7 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Titans
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Tesi NiuFullback for Titans is number 1 Corey Thompson
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey OatesWinger for Titans is number 2 Anthony Don
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Herbie FarnworthCentre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly
-
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Darius BoydCentre for Titans is number 4 Dale Copley
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Xavier CoatesWinger for Titans is number 5 Phillip Sami
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Anthony MilfordFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Ashley Taylor
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Brodie CroftHalfback for Titans is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Matthew LodgeProp for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Issac LukeHooker for Titans is number 9 Mitch Rein
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Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne HaasProp for Titans is number 16 Jaimin Jolliffe
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Alex Glenn2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Kevin Proctor
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Tevita Pangai Junior2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Keegan Hipgrave
-
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Joe OfahengaueLock for Titans is number 13 Jai Arrow
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Jamayne IsaakoInterchange for Titans is number 10 Sam Lisone
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Rhys KennedyInterchange for Titans is number 14 Tanah Boyd
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Ben Te'oInterchange for Titans is number 15 Tyrone Peachey
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 18 Tom DeardenInterchange for Titans is number 17 Jarrod Wallace
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key Match-Up
Anthony Milford v Ash Taylor. They each cop more than their share of criticism, but these two playmakers are undeniably elite when they're on song. With the spotlight on them, big performances could be looming.
