Key piece unlocked in error-riddled game: Four things learnt in Broncos' win

Sydney Morning Herald

13-07-2025

Walsh (176 running metres and two linebreak assists) found a moment of magic early in the second half, firing a pass for Staggs in clear pasture, who passed back for his fullback to score.
But what will please coach Michael Maguire was that his side found a way to win even when their attack failed them at times, forcing them to rely on their defence throughout their current five-game winning streak.
'You've just got to find a way to win at times, the good teams do that.'
Adam Reynolds
Walters cements his utility claim
So congested has the hooker logjam been at the Broncos, their 2023 grand final rake Billy Walters was suddenly facing an uncertain future.
But the 31-year-old has become the club's genuine X-factor off the bench in recent weeks, and added another chapter to that legend on Sunday.
Just as the Titans threatened to orchestrate a boilover, with Jojo Fifita's second try of the night getting his team within six points, Walters jumped out of the ruck and threw a wild dummy to slice through virtually untouched.
It proved the decisive blow to a plucky Gold Coast outfit, and followed his try-scoring heroics against the Bulldogs last week.
'We were challenged about six weeks ago about what was going on, but ... the work the players are putting in is starting to get the rewards.'
Michael Maguire
While Blake Mozer has been signed through to the end of 2027, Walters is doing all he can to prove he belongs in Brisbane beyond the end of his 2026 deal, leaving the off-contract Cory Paix's future uncertain.
Broncos pack respond without Haas
For a second straight week, the Broncos' engine room rose to the occasion in the absence of superstar prop Payne Haas.
Haas was a late withdrawal from the clash, having battled a minor back concern for much of the year and in need of a rest following his effort for New South Wales in the State of Origin series decider.
He joined Corey Jensen (calf) on the sideline, but the men who remained through the middle got through a mountain of work.
Pat Carrigan (171 metres, 32 tackles), Xavier Willison (145 metres, 26 tackles), Kobe Hetherington (105 metres, 36 tackles), Talty (111 metres) and Jordan Riki (154 metres, five tackle busts) all got through plenty of work.
Brendan Piakura failed a HIA attempting to ground a Reynolds grubber and failed to return.
On the back of that, the Broncos' back five were able to generate some momentum - Staggs the headliner with 226 metres.
'We're probably known as a group around our attack, but I think our defence is starting to hit its stride with the way they work for each other.'
Michael Maguire
Titans ace set to miss rest of the season
While under-siege Gold Coast coach Des Hasler dismissed talk of his shaky future at the club as 'unfounded speculation', he admitted he may need to dig his side off the bottom of the ladder without superstar fullback Keano Kini.
Kini had suffered a herniated disc pressing against his spinal cord just two games into his season, and while it was initially hoped he would be fit to return for roughly the final month of the campaign, Hasler suggested that would not be the case.
AJ Brimson has moved away from his budding halves combination with Jayden Campbell to reclaim the No.1 jumper, and he strove to ignite the Titans' attack to no avail, producing 185 running metres while coming up with a deft grubber for Fifita to score his first try.
'I don't think you'll see Keano on the field this year. That's the great value of AJ, he's able to play a number of positions, but it's the old cliché of the sort of headache you want as a coach.'
Des Hasler