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Match Report

Titans produce huge comeback to stun Dolphins

Author
Martin Lenehan NRL Senior Journalist
Timestamp
Martin Lenehan

The Gold Coast Titans produced a stunning comeback from 14 points down to beat the Dolphins 21-14 at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

After trailing 14-0 early and 14-6 at the break the Titans charged home on the back of a sizzling double to Alofiana Khan-Pereira to put a serious dent in the Dolphins' finals chances.

The Dolphins needed only four minutes to get the scoreboard ticking over when Isaiya Katoa's grubber took a wicked bounce for Titans winger Jojo Fifita and ended up in the hands of Tevita Pangai jnr who strolled over to make it 6-0.

Evergreen Dolphin Jesse Bromwich powered through a David Fifita tackle to score in the 13th minute with Katoa again the provider with a neat pass.

A penalty against Isaac Liu for crowding in the play the ball handed Jamayne Isaako an easy shot and the Dolphins stretched their lead to 14-0.

Jesse Bromwich Try

Momentum looked to have turned in the 38th minute when Josh Kerr was sin binned for interfering with a support player on a Titans line break and Des Hasler's men crossed through Brian Kelly to pull it back to 14-6.

With Kerr still off the field his team got across the line through Jack Bostock but replays showed the winger had knocked on at dummy half and the try was ruled out by the bunker.

The Titans then got back within four points when the ball found its way on the bounce to Khan-Pereira who crossed wide out before a mistake by Herbie Farnworth put the Dolphins under pressure again and Khan-Pereira made it a double to tie it up at 14-14.

Brian Kelly Try

Playing with all the momentum the Titans hit the front in the 70th minute when Chris Randall grubbered into the in goal for Klese Haas to score and Jayden Campbell converted for a 20-14 lead.

The experience of Kieran Foran then came to the fore as he knocked over a field goal to give the Titans a seven-point lead with six minutes to play.

From there the Titans closed out their seventh win of the season to keep their finals flame flickering ahead of huge clash against Brisbane next week.

The Dolphins have now lost four of their past five matches and must regroup quickly for a trip to Perth to face a red hot Roosters outfit.

Match Snapshot

  • The Dolphins completed 19 of 23 sets in the first half at 82 per cent. The Titans were 15 of 19 at 78 per cent.
  • Dolphins prop Josh Kerr was sin binned in the 38th minute for a professional foul.
  • Titans fullback Keano Kini ran for 261 metres from 30 runs while Phil Sami racked up 210 run metres.
  • A crowd of 19,533 was on hand at Suncorp Stadium.
  • The Titans have won four of their past five games at Suncorp Stadium.

Kerr sent to the bin

  • Titans winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira has scored 39 tries in 38 career games.
  • The Dolphins lost their captain's challenge with 11 minutes to play when they unsuccessfully challenged a knock on call against Jesse Bromwich.
  • Kieran Foran's field goal was just the second of his 297-game career.
  • Dolphins forward Tevita Pangai jnr was placed on report in the 80th minute for a dangerous tackle.

Foran slots the field goal

Play of the Game

Alofiana Khan-Pereira 2nd Try

What They Said

Titans: Round 21

Dolphins: Round 21

 

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