HE NRMA Insurance Brisbane Broncos have just fallen short with a 16-14 loss to the Gold Coast Titans at Redcliffe tonight.Despite keeping the Titans scoreless in the second half, Brisbane were unable to mow down the Titans as poor ball control cost the Broncos dearly.
The trial marked the return of three former Broncos in Scott Prince, David Stagg and Denan Kemp but the signs are still positive for Brisbane find form before round-one against Manly.
Brisbane opening proceedings 12 minutes into the second half as Scott Prince deliberately aimed a grubber kick towards the right hand post of the Leagues
Club end, with the rebound gratefully collected by Corey Norman.
With Corey Parker having a spell on the sideline, Prince stepped up to slot the conversion which breathed life back into the contest at 16-10.
Both sides toiled away for the next 15 minutes, but it was Brisbane who began to assert their authority with another try.
After a bomb was kicked and regathered by Brisbane, the ball was thrown out to Denan Kemp who showed a great turn of speed to score in the corner.
Peter Wallace assumed kicking duties on this occasion but his effort fell short of the posts and the score remained 16-14 to the Titans.
As the crowd became more vocal, the Broncos started to chance their arm by throwing the ball more often towards their youthful backline.
But time ran out for Brisbane as the Titans held on for a 16-14 victory.
With fireworks going off at the Northern end throughout the opening minutes of the game, the real fireworks on the field only started for Brisbane after eight minutes when Josh Hoffman found the line.
Former Redcliffe Dolphin Hoffman sold a dummy to the Titans defence allowing him to scoot his way over the line from 30 metres out.
Although the Titans were able to hit back almost immediately after Brisbane coughed up possession close to halfway.
From the ensuing set Gold Coast halfback Albert Kelly found space to sidestep his way through Brisbane’s line and plant the ball under the posts to hand the Titans an early 6-4 lead.
An injury to Dale Copley saw Denan Kemp make an earlier than expected second debut for the Broncos, having last worn the Maroon and Gold back in 2010.
Copley’s injury is due to be assessed by Brisbane’s medical staff tomorrow.
Not long after Kemp’s introduction, David Stagg made his return to Broncos’ colours and was instantly required to take on his familiar role as a defensive workhorse due to Brisbane’s continued lack of ball control.
With Brisbane failing to gain any foothold on the game, Scott Prince was introduced on the half-hour mark.
However his first contribution was a forgettable one as his penalty kicked failed to find touch which proved costly for the Broncos.
Gold Coast spread the ball out wide towards Jamal Idris and the towering Titans centre was able to attract two Brisbane defenders and deliver a perfectly timed flick pass to David Mead who dashed over in the corner to take the score to 10-4.
As Dolphin Oval was briefly lashed by a passing rain shower close to halftime, the heavens threaten to open on the Broncos defensive line as the Titans went on the attack again.
Unfortunately for Brisbane, they were unable to hold out the opposition and Gold Coast interchange Brad Takairangi slipped his way over the chalk seconds before the halftime siren.
Aidan Sezer landed the conversion as the Titans were rewarded for their first half dominance with a lead of 16-4.
Brisbane will play their final pre-season trial against the Warriors on Saturday February 23 at the unique indoor arena, Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
Gold Coast Titans 16 (Albert Kelly, David Mead, Brad Takairangi tries; Aidan Sezer 2 goals) def. Brisbane Broncos 14 (Josh Hoffman, Corey Norman, Denan Kemp tries; Scott Prince goal) at Dolphin Oval, Redcliffe.
Halftime: 16-4 Titans.