Taylor set to Terrorise Prince
BRONCOS coach Anthony Griffin says Scott Prince expects to be terrorised by the Titans' 120kg Dave Taylor in tonight's grudge match at Skilled Park.
Prince makes an emotional return to the Gold Coast for the first time since the messy contractual saga that led to the former Titans skipper's departure five months ago.
And Prince is bracing for a torrid reception, with Titans interchange weapon Taylor and backrow enforcer Greg Bird set to target the Broncos five-eighth in defence.
Fellow big men Ryan James and Jamal Idris are also expected to torment the playmaker they protected in the Titans' defensive line last season.
Griffin is mindful of the hype surrounding Prince's return to Skilled Park, but says the Broncos will not be caught out by any attempt to intimidate the former Test halfback.
"Every half has to cop some heat in the modern game," Griffin said.
"It has been happening for years now, and whether we are playing the Titans or the Roosters or the Storm, he (Prince) is going to have to deal with people running at him.
"That is not a surprise to us just because we are playing the Titans."
Prince has had an indifferent start in his second coming at the Broncos, but Griffin believes a showdown with the Titans could be the spark that ignites the 33-year-old.
"Obviously there will be some fanfare about him going back to the Titans, but over the last few weeks he's been building into our team and it gives him an opportunity tomorrow night again to do that," Griffin said.
"I just want him to play his role and get his job done. If he's got something extra there, that's up to him."
In the absence of suspended skipper Sam Thaiday, Kiwi utility Alex Glenn will captain the side, with Scott Anderson to start at prop and hulking forward David Hala to be an interchange player.
The Broncos face a daunting assignment after three losses, and Griffin challenged his side to take the fight to a Titans side flying high in fourth spot.
While the loss of Thaiday is a blow, the Broncos will be boosted by the return of strike centre Justin Hodges.
"We've got an opportunity as a club to show some depth and the guys coming in like David Hala, he's been there before so it's an opportunity for him to do something for us now," Griffin said.
"I don't want to keep talking about Sammy, but we haven't lost any confidence with that. It would be nice to have him there but they are a strong group of players and they perform for each other.
"It doesn't bother me if we are underdogs; it's always a passionate clash and something both clubs look forward to."
The path for Josh Dugan's return to the NRL is clearing, but nobody knows how long it might be. NRL chief executive David Smith left the door ajar for Dugan's registration, but also revealed no club had made a formal request to register a new contract for the sacked ex-Raider.
Peter Badel
Courier Mail
April 4 2013