VENUE & TIME: Skilled Park, Friday July 24, 7.35pm (AEST).
COVERAGE: Channel 9
LAST TIME: Broncos 32 - Titans 18 at Suncorp Stadium, Round 10, 2009
WALKING WOUNDED: The Titans have lost pivot Mat Rogers with a groin injury, forcing Preston Campbell to five-eighth and giving William Zillman another start at the back. Forwards Aaron Cannings (hamstring) and Ashley Harrison (ankle) return to the squad, while Chris Walker (quad) and Luke O'Dwyer (ankle) remain on the sidelines. Hooker Nathan Friend (ankle) is in doubt, putting former Bronco Ian Lacey on standby.
For the Broncos, Origin duo Darren Lockyer (knee) and Sam Thaiday (ribs) are still out of action, along with Test winger Israel Folau (ankle), who is due back in Round 25. Veteran Tonie Carroll is out with a knee injury suffered in that unfortunate collision with the head of referee Tony De Las Heras. Prop Nick Kenny (knee) is hopeful of a return next week and full-back Karmichael Hunt is in slight doubt with a corked leg suffered at training.
FORM: The Titans' top-four hopes took a blow last Friday night when a sluggish start cost them dearly against the in-form Bulldogs in the second match of the double-header. It wasn't until mid-way through the second-half when they began their charge back from a 16-0 half-time deficit, leaving it all-too late in the final wash-up. They remain in the top-four, but are no certainties to stay there.
The Broncos have now lost five of their last six matches and during that period have copped some right royal hidings to crash out of the top-eight. Last Friday night's match wasn't pretty either with the Brisbane side copping a 32-point flogging at the hands of Souths. The Broncos now face the real possibility of missing the finals for the first time since 1991.
WHO'S HOT: Not too many highlights for the Titans last week, but five-eighth Mat Rogers was on song, scoring two tries and making a couple of line breaks. Unfortunately injury has robbed the Titans of his services for this week.
Justin Hodges was one of the only rays of light for the tragic Broncos at Suncorp Stadium last Friday night. He made the most metres of any player in the match (223) and was rarely grounded on the first attempt. Half-back Peter Wallace also tried hard in a losing side.
WE THINK: The Titans remain undefeated at home this season and they should continue the run given the Broncos are a rabble at present. On paper the Titans have a distinct advantage in the forwards, creating room for their far superior halves combo of Scott Prince and Preston Campbell to orchestrate the rest. Titans by 16.
TEAMS:
Gold Coast Titans:
1 William Zillman, 2 Kevin Gordon, 3 Esi Tonga, 4 Brett Delaney, 5 David Mead, 6 Preston Campbell, 7 Scott Prince [c], 8 Luke Bailey [c], 9 Nathan Friend, 10 Michael Henderson, 11 Anthony Laffranchi, 12 Mark Minichiello, 13 Ashley Harrison. Interchange: 14 Matt White, 15 Aaron Cannings, 16 Brad Meyers, 17 Kayne Lawton, 18 Ian Lacey (one to be omitted).
Brisbane Broncos:
1. Karmichael Hunt, 2. Antonio Winterstein, 3. Steve Michaels, 4. Justin Hodges, 5. Alex Glenn, 6. Aaron Gorrell, 7. Peter Wallace, 8. David Taylor, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Joel Clinton, 11. Guy Williams, 12. Ben Te'o, 13. Corey Parker [c]. Interchange: 14. Josh Hoffman, 15. Lagi Setu, 16. Josh McGuire, 17. Ashton Sims, 18. Aaron Sweeney (one to be omitted).
Referees: Jared Maxwell & Bernard Sutton