Round 12: BRONCOS vs TITANS (2022)

[Titanic]

Cobbo on Thompson worries me most of anything.

[The Birdman]

Holbrook keeps picking his favourites with no repercussions for poor performers. He's the best mate not the coach.

We better hope JC and AJ have big games to carry the other two passengers in the spine.

I hope I never see 9. Clarke ever again on the team list.

Also I'm not a big Will Smith fan but he is comfortably better than both Boyd and Clarke.

[Hail Sezer]

Holbrook keeps picking his favourites with no repercussions for poor performers. He's the best mate not the coach.

We better hope JC and AJ have big games to carry the other two passengers in the spine.

I hope I never see 9. Clarke ever again on the team list.

Also I'm not a big Will Smith fan but he is comfortably better than both Boyd and Clarke.

You think Holbrook is picking his favourites because he’s not selecting Will Smith at hooker?

[RavShamrock]

Cobbo on Thompson worries me most of anything.

A halfback that can’t go thru a yawning gap worries me more

[NZFan]

Any word on Fafita being back? Who misses out if so? You’d have to think McIntyre with Lui to the middle after 20min

[NSW Titan]

Apparently Fotuaika out injured and Fifita confirmed playing.

[hungryjacks]

Hopefully see Liu stay at 2nd row for the start of the match and see Jolliffe elevated to the starting side.

[DIEHARD]

Team news: Fifita confirmed, two debutants on extended bench
https://www.titans.com.au/news/2022/...xtended-bench/

It's official. David Fifita is set to return for Friday night's Macca's local derby against the Brisbane Broncos.

Overcoming a Grade 2 MCL sprain on his right knee that kept him out for three weeks, the Origin forward was able to get through this week's training sessions unscathed and has been given the green light by Titans medicos to take on his former club at Suncorp Stadium.

Unfortunately, as reported by coach Justin Holbrook on Thursday, Moeaki Fotuaika has been sidelined with a low-grade AITFL sprain and is a late scratching for the derby, with a late reshuffle seeing Sam Lisone named to start.

Two Gold Coast new recruits are an outside chance of making their club debuts after remaining on the extended bench, with Paul Turner and Aaron Booth staying in the squad to travel to Suncorp Stadium.

The final 17 will be named one hour before kick-off.

[coreythompson]

I wonder if Haas will play

[GCTTSD]

Please be turner and booth playing

[NSW Titan]

Please be turner and booth playing

At hooker and utility respectively?

[DIEHARD]

League Unlimited's BRONCOS v TITANS preview
https://leagueunlimited.com/news/374...itans-preview/

[DIEHARD]

Ultimate Origin battle: Will derby showdown decide Maroons lock?
https://www.titans.com.au/news/2022/...-maroons-lock/

The ultimate Queensland Origin battle is on when the Titans face off against the Broncos in the Macca's local derby.

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Patrick Carrigan might be good mates off the field, but that friendship will quickly dissipate when they enter the Cauldron in opposing colours tonight in order to fight for the two points for their respective sides.

The Gold Coast lock is a certainty to receive a phone call from Billy Slater this weekend ahead of the Queensland team being announced on Monday, but the Broncos No. 13 has also been in red-hot form since returning from injury in Round 9 and will hope his phone is the next to tingle after Tino.

The pair shared a number of weeks together whilst in Camp Maroon in 2020, with Carrigan unavailable for selection for last year's series due to an ACL injury, but the duo will likely reunite again to play for their state in a matter of weeks.

But before that transpires, fans will be treated to an epic contest between two youngsters who give their all for their two clubs.

Without doubt being one of the Titans' best with the 'c' proudly next to his name, Fa'asuamaleaui has been a solid performer in every match this season.

Punching out around 61 minutes a game, the tall and hulking enforcer gets through plenty of work in defence - averaging 31 tackles a game - whilst also worrying the opposition with the knack of being able to break through tackles - already doing that on 22 occasions this season, resulting in two tries.

Carrigan had a formidable start to 2022 before being sidelined for four weeks due to injury, but since returning at the start of this month, the 24-year-old has been arguably one of the Broncos' most feared.

Getting through similar minutes to his fellow competitor, the Broncos lock has been a brick wall in defence, averaging 33 tackles at 98 percent efficiency.

He is yet to score a four-pointer this season, nor record a line break, but has notched up 12 tackle breaks.

Both players are proud Queenslanders and great statesmen for their club... will tonight's showdown determine who wears Maroon No. 13 for Game I?

The one thing that can be guaranteed is fans will be treated to an epic showdown between the pair, who will leave nothing in the tank to get the two points for their team in the derby.

[DIEHARD]

Last word: Tino is the best man to lead us for a very long time
https://www.titans.com.au/news/2022/...ery-long-time/

At the ripe old age of 22, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui has been a very impressive leader in his first year as captain of the Titans.

Destined to be the long-term skipper of the Gold Coast as he continues growing into the role, and despite some outside noise about how the young leader is fairing, coach Justin Holbrook feels he is easily the best man for the job.

"Tino's a great leader and the way he plays... he's all actions and he does it everyday at training as well," Holbrook said.

"He's definitely the best captain for this club and will be for a long time.

"If we get everyone else playing the way he does, we'll be winning every week. What he brings is fantastic."

The club mentor also was quick to dismiss any speculation the Queensland enforcer's Origin spot was in doubt, suggesting another question should be posed around his selection.

"I wasn't aware of [the speculation], but Tino's definitely getting picked. I don't think there'd be any doubt in him playing Origin," Holbrook said.

"It's just a matter of when he's going to be the captain of Queensland. I think that's the question they'll be asking, not if they're going to pick him or not."

Ahead of the Maroons squad being announced on Monday, the Macca's local derby will be on the forefront of Fa'asuamaleaui's mind, with another matchup against fellow firebrand Payne Haas looming before the pair will likely face off in Sydney on June 8.

"They're both terrific players. Payne is fantastic and so is Tino, so you got to be great," Holbrook said.

"It'll be great for the game to see those two for their respective teams."

The Titans have also been bolstered by the return of David Fifita, being given the green light to get back on the field after being hampered by an MCL injury.

The former Bronco was one of the Gold Coast's best in both derby clashes last year and it's expected that will be no different with the first rivalry of the new season, regardless of the fact he's coming back from injury.

"Coming for his first game back from injury, he's probably not going to be 100 percent, but he's definitely right to play and there's no chance of a risk of injury. We're making sure that he's right, otherwise we wouldn't play him," Holbrook said.

"I'm expecting a big impact from him. He's a great player, an important member of our team and we've missed not having him play the last few weeks."

Travelling home with the two points in the Round 12 clash isn't just important for the bragging rights in the local derby, but also to help kick-start the Titans' season to begin the progression back up the ladder.

"We have to [make a statement]. Obviously, where we sit first and foremost. We've got to get some wins on the board and it's great opportunity for us to be able to go out there and start tonight," Holbrook said.

"They're in terrific form and they're playing great and it's up to us to do that ourselves.

"We've got to get a move on here and we've got a great opportunity tonight to make that happen.

"Everyone knows that our two biggest games are against the Broncos.

"We always want to beat them and they want to beat us, so regardless of who's flying and who's not flying on the table, it's always going to be a difficult and tough game and one that we look forward to.

"It's a great opportunity for us to get a win over our close rivals."

[DIEHARD]

Moments in time: Petersen scores hat-trick in first Cbus local derby
https://www.titans.com.au/news/2022/...s-local-derby/
In the first local derby hosted at Cbus Super Stadium back in Round 6, 2008, a huge home crowd had plenty to cheer about with a strong performance by the Titans to overcome the Broncos. In a thrilling contest, Matt Petersen helped prove the difference with a hat-trick in the 26-24 victory.