Key three: History rewrites itself as Titans down Dolphins with special second half
A classic 'motivational message' from Des Hasler at halftime has seen the Titans lift from the darkness and down the Dolphins in an epic second half comeback at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Almost a carbon copy of last year's Sunshine Showdown at the Cauldron but with the roles reversed, the home side started with plenty of venom and wasted no time in finding the line with Tevita Pangai Junior scoring in only the third minute.
That was before his front row partner Jesse Bromwich backed it up in the 12th minute to shoot out out to an early two-try lead.
It looked to be three on the trot for the Dolphins before the Bunker intervened and denied Jack Bostock of a four-pointer in the 31st minute, which allowed the Titans to weather the storm and score a crucial four-pointer before the break.
After the Titans mentor's words of wisdom in the sheds at the break, the floodgates opened with the Titans putting the points on the second 40 to claim their first win against the Dolphins and keep their bid to play-on past the regular season well and truly intact.
Match: Dolphins v Titans
Round 21 -
home Team
Dolphins
8th Position
away Team
Titans
14th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Here are the key talking points:
Hasler rev up resurrects Titans finals bid
Gold Coast's finals hopes remain well and truly alive thanks to good old fashioned halftime spray from Des Hasler, which worked wonders to help deliver the comeback of all comebacks to down the Dolphins.
With the home side controlling the game comfortably in the first 40 minutes, the Titans mentor delivered an almighty rev up to motivate his troops... and motivate it did with them kicking into gear and scoring 21 unanswered points against their Queensland rivals.
Round 21 highlights: Dolphins v Titans
Rewriting history after being on the other side of such comeback against the Dolphins last season, it was Gold Coast's turn to avenge that, and it couldn't have happened at a more crucial time with the two points keeping the Titans' bid to play finals footy alive and kicking, as they prepare to continue their run to September when they meet the Broncos in front of a full house at Cbus Super Stadium next Saturday.
Kini, Fotuaika lead inspirational charge
Ok, so this is technically two points in one - but these two both deserve a mentioned.
It sounds like a broken record, but there’s no way Keano Kini couldn’t be included. Game after game, he continues to thrive with the No. 1 on his back and he looks more and more comfortable in what’s been a breakout season.
As for Moeaki, today he showcased his big motor and the victory would've been extra special for the Queensland enforcer. Returning from three Origin games and a heartbreaking loss the last time he played at the Cauldron the prop got through a mountain of work and bent the line with ball in hand.
Lofi's incredible feat
It's been a dream start to Alofiana Khan-Pereira's career and it's about to get even better for the young gun who is on track to smash a 62-year feat.
Scoring his fifth double of 2024 with two second half tries in quick succession, the 22-year-old is about to have scored more tries than appearances - now at 39 in only 38 games in Titans colours.
Alofiana Khan-Pereira 1st Try
Not since 1962 when Dragons flyer Johnny King scored 40 tries before his 40th appearance has a similar feat been reached, but Lofi only has one more to get to reach a similar achievement.
He's also on track to smash the Gold Coast's most tries in a season record that he already his name etched on - only one score away from levelling with the accolade and still having six games to go this season.
