Walsh stars as Broncos and Titans play out draw
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The Titans and Broncos have played out a 24-24 draw in a game of two halves for both coaches to ponder at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Sunday.
The Broncos hit the accelerator in the first half with four tries to one setting up a 24-6 lead against a Titans outfit who were without new recruits Kieran Foran and Sam Verrills for the match.
The Titans hit back, however, as the Broncos opted to rest several of their key players in the second half with Alofiana Khan-Pereira scoring twice to level the scores late.
Neither team were too desperate to opt for a one-pointer in the dying stages ahead of their final Pre-season Challenge matches next week.
Broncos fullback Reece Walsh made a stellar return to the Broncos, opening the scoring with a solo effort on the right edge before producing a goal-kicking masterclass in breezy conditions at the venue.
Reece Walsh with a kick you need to see
He did, however, leave the field in the second half after a facial knock that may require scans on Monday in the only concern for Broncos coach Kevin Walters, who would otherwise have been buoyed by what he saw from Walsh's efforts.
Walters played most of his stars named for the first 40 minutes while Justin Holbrook left star back-rower David Fifita on the paddock for 60 minutes.
Match: Broncos v Titans
Round 1 -
home Team
Broncos
8th Position
away Team
Titans
9th Position
Venue: Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast
Holbrook also tinkered with Jayden Campbell's position, using the 23-year-old at left centre with Keano Kini playing most of the match at fullback, in a possible sign the Titans coach may start Campbell in the centres with Brian Kelly suspended.
Kini was superb for the Titans at the back, taking his opportunity in a performance that may be enough to have him included in the final NRL trial against the Dolphins next week.
Khan-Pereira sneaks one into the corner
A double to Jordan Pereira, including a stunning effort before half-time, had the Broncos on the front foot but the Titans hit back twice in the second half through Jojo Fifita and Vaka Sikahele to make it a 12-point ball game.
Match snapshot
- Broncos stars Reece Walsh, Payne Haas and Kotoni Staggs were among those to take the field for their first Pre-season Challenge match.
- Titans coach Justin Holbrook started Toby Sexton and Tanah Boyd in the halves as he looks to settle on a playmaker to partner Kieran Foran.
- The Broncos were dominant early, setting up a 24-6 lead before being run down once most of their star players left the field.
- Broncos forwards Brendan Frei and Shalom O'Ofou (high tackle) were placed on report during the match with O'Ofou sin-binned in the 55th minute.
- The Titans enjoyed 54% of possession for the contest with both teams completing at 75% in humid conditions on the Sunshine Coast.
- David Fifita ran for over 121 metres with two offloads and two tackle breaks in a strong first-up game for the Titans powerhouse.
- Jayden Campbell made a strong case at left centre to potentially start there in Round 1.
- Both sides offloaded on 10 occasions, both activating competition bonus points.
Play of the game
Jordan Pereira's ability to finish the side's fourth of the evening was on full display in an effort that will go down as one of the best of the year.
Pereira juggle caps a special Broncos try
What they said
"[Reece Walsh] has got a long way to go with his footy but brings a lot of energy to our attack. He was all over the field in the first half but as a young fella he's still got some work to do in the next couple of weeks and in the season. [As a team] we've worked on a lot of things. Defence is an area we continue to work hard on and our attack can be much better. It's been a good pre-season, we saw some good stuff across different stages. Not happy with the draw but we had some good things tonight." - Broncos coach Kevin Walters.
"It was a pretty clunky performance but I was happy with how we fought back there. We’ve still got plenty to work on. We know we can score points and have the players to do so but still want to get better with our defence." - Titans halfback Tanah Boyd.
Jojo Fifita flies high to score
What's next
The Broncos will be back in action against the Cowboys at Sunshine Coast Stadium in a six-day turnaround prior to Round 1. Adam Reynolds and Tom Flegler are expected to be available for the clash. The Titans will head to Redcliffe for a match-up against the Dolphins at Kayo Stadium on Sunday night with Kieran Foran expected to play his first game in club colours.
