Brisbane has soared into the NRL’s top four after a stunning comeback win over the Titans, which saw a 20-point lead thrown away in the blink of an eye by the visitors, just as they did a year ago.
There was plenty of intrigue – the Payne Haas saga, the desire of the little brother Titans to get one over the Broncos, and of course, a Brisbane side full of self-belief and chasing a top four spot.
Brisbane have now won six games in a row – but given the manner, and the opponent, this may be the sweetest of the half dozen.
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But how do you explain yet another Gold Coast Titans collapse of such magnitude?
The Titans have a propensity to squander big leads – they did it against the Raiders earlier this year, and of course, in this fixture in 2021, threw away a 22-0 advantage.
At least this was an improvement – only a 20-point margin was given away this time, going into the sheds up 24-4, including a remarkable period where they had 11 men versus 13 and actually extended the gap.
With the score at 18-0, Sam McIntyre was binned for holding down in the ruck, before Esan Marsters joined him a set later with the Titans defending their line.
Brisbane did take immediate advantage of their two-man advantage as Selwyn Cobbo scored, before using the corner post as a didgeridoo in celebration.
But that would be their only score during the ten-minute period, and down the other end, David Fifita barged over for what was ruled as a try and kept as one due to inconclusive evidence of whether or not he ever grounded the ball.
Early on after the break, Gold Coast were sitting pretty. Back to 13 men, 24-4 lead in tact, and 30 minutes from just their second win since March.
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They had no idea what was coming – but perhaps their fans did, after Te Maire Martin scored and then a short kick-off went horribly wrong, allowing Jordan Riki to cross for what were 12 Brisbane points in less than two minutes.
Herbie Farnworth scored five minutes later, before Kurt Capewell gave them the lead with ten to go and Ezra Mam sealed the victory a couple of sets later.
How could this happen to the Titans again?
It defies logic, and yet here we are – a baffling football team continuing to do baffling things, as another season slips away.