Bouncing back from their loss in Manly, the Titans still have their sights on finals after executing an electric comeback performance against the Dolphins on Sunday.
Titans centre Phil Sami attributed their second half response to a switch in mindset spurred on from a Des Hasler rev up at half-time – an important lesson the team will take into their must-win clash against the Broncos at home on Saturday.
"It obviously helped a bit," he said.
"It was warranted. We didn’t play the way we wanted to in that first half of footy.
"We were very flat to start off the game and I think it was just an attitude thing. We didn’t really start off very right with the right intent.
"Going down 14-0 is not how you want to start a game because then you’re playing catch-up footy.
"In the second half we changed that around and came away with the win, but we’ll learn from that and hopefully we start better this weekend against the Broncos."
Another gutsy win under the belt gives the playing group confidence ahead of their second meeting against Brisbane; the Gold Coast side hoping to make it two-from-two and silence the ‘younger brother’ narrative.
"As an individual, I don’t really see it like that. It’s just versing the Broncos in another game," Sami said.
"Obviously, there’s a narrative of being the little brother to the Brisbane Broncos, but for I just want to go out there and treat it like another game.
"But it’ll obviously be a great game to be a part of with the rivalry there."
With the two Queensland squads sitting side-by-side below the eight on the ladder, the derby is an important clash for both teams to keep their finals hopes alive, further fuelling the intensity of the rivalry.
"I think they’re going to come out firing," Sami said.
"They didn’t play too well last week either, so they’ll want to bounce back and have a good game this week and keep their finals hopes alive, just like we’re trying to do as well.
"I think the fans should expect a good game of footy and a close one this weekend.
"It’s a must win for both of us and I think that’s what’s going to make it a good game."
