Key three: Kini masterclass leads second half shutout in memorable derby

A Keano Kini masterclass has continued the Titans run to the finals with a thrilling 46-18 triumphant against the Broncos in the Macca's Local Derby.

In front of a sold-out 25,278 crowd at Cbus Super Stadium to notch up their fifth victory in the past six appearances, a player of the match performance from the 20-year-old helped the Gold Coast to back-to-back wins against Brisbane in 2024 - even despite being summoned to the sin bin for a professional foul late in the first half.

The opening try alongside two try assists and 

Brisbane fired out of the blocks with a Reece Walsh double in the opening 15 minutes, but much like the last time the two faced each other, the home side found their feet after 20 minutes, courtesy of Keano Kini who was electrifying.

Not overawed from being leaped over by the Broncos No. 1 for their first, the livewire sprung into gear scoring the first try, before setting up Jojo Fifita for the club's second of the afternoon.

Whilst the visitors hit back, it was the Titans who flexed their muscle with another second half resurgent to bring up their eighth win of the season and keep their finals hopes alive with five games remaining - next against the Sharks on Friday night at home.

Here are the key talking points:

Little brother no more

The Titans squad made their displeasure known this week about constantly referred to as the little brother in the Macca's Local Derby... that is no more.

Their third consecutive win against their M1 rivals and a 100 percent strike rate in the Des Hasler-era, they've now won six of their last 10 games against Brisbane including Saturday's 40-18 victory.

Derby dub keeps finals on agenda

With five games to play, the Titans can finish as high as 11th on the NRL ladder at the end of this weekend and be only one win outside the top eight.

Putting behind them a tough 0-6 start to have now won eight of the last 12 games - battling injuries to key personnel - the Des-olution has truly begun on the Gold Coast and finals aren't out of the question yet.

Set to meet the Sharks on Friday night at Cbus Super Stadium with another strong crowd expected - having beaten Cronulla in Round 18 - captain Kieran Foran is full of belief the Titans can win their last five and play past the regular season.

"We said six weeks ago if we have to win 10 in a row, we're going to aim to do that," Foran said on Fox League.

"It's a fair mountain to climb but one we're up for.

"If we play like that, we'll get there."

The Titans run home starts with the Sharks, followed by the Dragons (A), Roosters (H), Knights (A) and Panthers (A).

So special, K

Game after game, play after play, the young gun fullback Keano Kini is growing in confidence with every first-grade game under his belt, as he continues to put together a scintillating season.

His opposition fullback in Reece Walsh opened the battle of the fullbacks scoring the opening two tries for the Broncos, but from the nineteenth minute Kini took the reins.

Scoring the first try for the home side off the back of a tough carry from teammate Jojo Fifita, it took only seven minutes for the fullback to repay his winger sending Fifita over for one of his own.

But the Keano Kini magic didn’t stop there, despite serving ten in the bin in the closing minutes of the first half, the star spent no time making up for lost time, scoring a four-pointer worthy of try of the year to get the Titans back in the contest.

Sending Jojo Fifita over for a double to stretch the Titans lead to eight, Kini was without a doubt a huge factor in the winning performance in front of over 25,000 fans – a well-deserving recipient of the Macca’s Man of the Match.