Titans v Broncos: Hipgrave doubtful; Glenn returns
The roles are shockingly reversed as former NRL easybeats the Titans head into their derby with Brisbane as Queensland's leading team.
Six points clear of the Broncos and four in advance of the Cowboys, the Gold Coast are already two wins ahead of their 2019 tally and in the form to add to that total.
The Titans enter the contest fresh off their first back-to-back wins of the season, having accounted for the Dragons (14-10) and Bulldogs (18-14), while Brisbane haven't claimed two points since they beat Canterbury 26-8 in round nine.
The Broncos have conceded 38.1 points per game during their eight-game losing streak to saddle them with the worst defensive record in the competition - their 548 points against a massive 121 more than the 15th-ranked Titans.
Match: Titans v Broncos
Round 18 -
home Team
Titans
12th Position
away Team
Broncos
15th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
The rundown
Team news
Titans: Keegan Hipgrave has been ruled out with a groin injury so young centre Treymain Spry comes into the backline in jersey No.19 and Beau Fermor reverts from centre to the forwards to replace Hipgrave.
Jai Whitbread has been added to the bench. Jai Arrow played long minutes in his return from a shoulder issue last week and could move into the starting side closer to game time.
Tanah Boyd and Darius Farmer were cut from the squad on game day after Nathan Peats was omitted 24 hours before kick-off. He is still battling a calf injury.
The Titans are aiming to defeat the Broncos twice in a season for the first time.
Broncos: Captain Alex Glenn will return from a knee injury in the back row with Ben Te'o going to the bench. Suspended duo Jordan Riki and Jamil Hopoate both drop off the interchange while Joe Ofahengaue returns from a ban.
Winger Xavier Coates (foot) has replaced Ethan Bullemor on the pine.
Jesse Arthars and Ethan Bullemor were omitted from the squad on game day after Brodie Croft and Pride Petterson-Robati made way 24 hours before kick-off.
The Broncos are aiming to avoid a club record ninth consecutive loss.
Match: Titans v Broncos
Round 18 -
home Team
Titans
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Titans is number 1 AJ BrimsonFullback for Broncos is number 1 Darius Boyd
-
Winger for Titans is number 2 Anthony DonWinger for Broncos is number 2 Corey Oates
-
Centre for Titans is number 4 Young TonumaipeaCentre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
-
Centre for Titans is number 19 Treymain SpryCentre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
-
Winger for Titans is number 5 Corey ThompsonWinger for Broncos is number 5 Richard Kennar
-
Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Ashley TaylorFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Sean O'Sullivan
-
Halfback for Titans is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Tom Dearden
Forwards
-
Prop for Titans is number 8 Jarrod WallaceProp for Broncos is number 8 Rhys Kennedy
-
Hooker for Titans is number 9 Mitch ReinHooker for Broncos is number 9 Issac Luke
-
Prop for Titans is number 10 Moeaki FotuaikaProp for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 3 Beau Fermor2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 David Fifita
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Sam Stone2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Alex Glenn
-
Lock for Titans is number 13 Tyrone PeacheyLock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan
Interchange
-
Interchange for Titans is number 14 Erin ClarkInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Cory Paix
-
Interchange for Titans is number 15 Jai WhitbreadInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Ben Te'o
-
Interchange for Titans is number 16 Jai ArrowInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Xavier Coates
-
Interchange for Titans is number 17 Sam LisoneInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Joe Ofahengaue
Match Officials
- Referee: Henry Perenara
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Gavin Badger
Last updated:
Key match-up
Jamal Fogarty v Tom Dearden: These two young halfbacks have made strong claims to being their teams' play-making future. Dearden (15 career games) has been one of the few bright spots in Brisbane's dismal 2020 collapse while Fogarty has progressed so rapidly that he was installed as stand-in Titans captain despite still only having 17 total games under his belt.
Stat attack
The Gold Coast are chasing their first season double over the Broncos in the club's 14th NRL season. Five times the Titans have won the first clash of the year and failed to seal the deal in the return bout, including in both 2018 and 2019, but with all the momentum sixth time could be the charm.
