A field goal from Lauren Brown in the second period of golden point lifted the Titans to a 17-16 victory over the Broncos on Thursday night at The Gabba.
After both sides missed previous chances to win the game with drop goals, it was Brown who stepped up to sink her former side – who she won a Premiership with in 2020 – after the Broncos made a critical error in being pinged for offside on the kick which started the second half of golden point.
The win sees the Titans remain unbeaten through the first fortnight of the new season, while Brisbane have now lost their last four games.
Earlier it was the Broncos who made the flying start, and having lost both of their starting wingers during the week – Julia Robinson to a hamstring injury and Ashleigh Werner to suspension – it was one of their fill-in players on the flank who got them out to an early lead.
Hayley Maddick try 5th minute
Lauren Dam caught the Titans short for numbers down the right, before Shenae Ciesiolka retrieved a clever chip kick from Ali Brigginshaw and found Hayley Maddick looming in support.
But the Titans quickly fought back into the contest, with Niall Williams-Guthrie producing a lovely flick pass to put Emily Bass over, followed by Evania Pelite stepping through from 10 metres for a try, which after Chantay Kiria-Ratu's conversion ensured scores were locked at 10-10 at the break.
Evania Pelite try 21st minute
The go-ahead try for Brisbane six minutes into the second period was simply brilliant, as Gayle Broughton took the ball on halfway and fended out of three would-be tackles, before evading a diving effort from Williams-Guthrie and rounding Pelite for a stunning four-pointer.
Chelsea Lenarduzzi looked to have extended the lead minutes later, but review from the Bunker found she spilled the ball over the line, and on the next set an illegal strip from the prop gave the Titans field position to tie scores again thanks to a Jessika Elliston try.
Jessika Elliston try 47th minute
The Titans were winning the arm wrestle but couldn't generate points on the back of it, with a missed penalty goal from Kiria-Ratu with seven to play being followed by a wayward field goal shot from the teenager.
Broughton then had a chance to seal a Brisbane win in golden point, but pushed it wide, and minutes later Brown made no mistake with her opportunity.
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Match Snapshot
- The Broncos have been involved in both of the NRLW golden point games that have occurred so far, having lost to the Dragons 19-18 after scores were tied at the end of 70 minutes last year.
Lauren Dam try 2nd minute
- 18-year-old playmaker Chantay Kiria-Ratu impressed in the win, forcing two dropouts late in the match with accurate kicks and managing the game well.
- Kiwi Ferns lock Georgia Hale topped the tackle count with 50, in addition to running for 115 metres.
- Broncos centre Shenae Ciesiolka set up her side's first two tries and carted the ball for 119 metres off 14 carries.
- The Gold Coast fielded five players who had previously tasted Premiership success with the Broncos.
- The Titans now have a 2-1 advantage in the head-to-head record with the Broncos.
Play of the Game
After both sides squandered chances to nail game-winners from the boot, veteran rake Lauren Brown made no mistake with her effort in the second half of golden point.
Lauren Brown wins it
What they Said
"Just so proud of the girls. We spoke about just effort on effort, working hard for each other, and after the start we had, 10-0 down with no ball we just regrouped and half-time we definitely knew we were in it. We just had to stay in the fight and to go to golden point... we brought Loz [Lauren Brown] on for that reason and she got in good position and it was really exciting for them. We've done a few scenarios during the week so we must have pre-empted something. We were confident if we could get in a position I would back Loz any day to ice those." - Titans coach Karyn Murphy
Titans: Round 2
"We shouldn't have gone to golden point. We had moments there we could have nailed but very similar story to last week, we just seem to be really ill-disciplined in terms of our defensive efforts, we're missing one-on-one tackles. I think it was over 40 [missed tackles] again this week which is just not the standard that we want to play. You can pinpoint one moment and maybe that opportunity to miss a field goal but it was many moments prior to that, especially in regular time that we just didn't win. If you think you can fluff your way through the game and get a win with ease, that's not the way we want to play our football." - Broncos coach Scott Prince
Broncos: Round 2
What's Next
Another Queensland derby match awaits the Broncos when they travel to face the Cowboys on Saturday, while later that night the Titans head south of the border for the first time this year to take on the Sharks on PointsBet Stadium. The Gold Coast will have their fingers crossed playmaker Taliah Fuimaono (ankle) will be back on deck after withdrawing from the squad to face the Broncos during the week.