"Relive the thrilling story of how the Gold Coast Titans stunned the Brisbane Broncos in a classic NRL Queensland Derby under the Cbus Super Stadium lights."
✅ The Night the Titans Roared: How Gold Coast Stunned Brisbane in a Queensland Derby for the Ages
The Queensland Derby never fails to deliver fireworks, but this year’s clash between the Gold Coast Titans and the Brisbane Broncos will go down as one of the most dramatic nights in recent NRL history. Under the blazing lights of Cbus Super Stadium, thousands of passionate Queensland footy fans turned up — and they weren’t disappointed.
This wasn’t just another match on the calendar. For the Titans, it was a chance to prove they could still stand tall against the state’s biggest club. For the Broncos, it was about keeping their dominant streak alive and sending a message to the rest of the competition.
From the build-up during the week to the final siren, this was footy at its best: hard hits, breakout stars, a roaring crowd, and a twist no one saw coming.
📍 A Derby Full of History
The Brisbane Broncos have long been the pride of Queensland rugby league. With multiple premierships and a stacked roster, they’ve built a reputation as one of the most consistent teams in the competition. The Gold Coast Titans, by comparison, have often played the role of little brother — under-resourced, underestimated, but always dangerous when they have a point to prove.
Leading into this clash, the Broncos sat comfortably in the top four. They were the clear favourites, boasting the electric Reece Walsh at fullback, veteran halfback Adam Reynolds guiding the play, and a monster forward pack led by Payne Haas.
The Titans, meanwhile, were dealing with injuries and inconsistency. But they had their own weapons: AJ Brimson, the livewire fullback with lightning speed; David Fifita, a wrecking ball forward out to remind Brisbane what they let go; and rising star Jayden Campbell, ready to make his mark on the big stage.
🎟️ Game Night Buzz
Hours before kick-off, the car parks were full. Fans draped in blue and gold poured into Robina Station, kids clutching Titans flags, older diehards in retro Broncos jerseys trading friendly jabs with Titans supporters.
Food stalls sizzled. Pies, chips, sausage rolls. The smell of footy night on the Gold Coast.
Inside the Titans sheds, Brimson laced his boots in silence. He knew what was coming — a fired-up Broncos side ready to test him under the high ball all night. Fifita, taping his wrists, shot Brimson a grin. “Time to remind ’em,” he said.
Up the highway, the Broncos bus crawled through Gold Coast traffic. Walsh sat at the back, headphones in, visualising breakaways and line breaks. He loved these nights — under the lights, in enemy territory, with a point to prove.
🏉 Kick-Off: Broncos Strike First
The Broncos wasted no time showing why they’re tipped as premiership contenders. From the opening whistle, they were sharp. Reynolds directed traffic, his short kicking game pinning the Titans deep.
Ten minutes in, Reynolds spotted a gap, threw a slick cut-out ball to Walsh who darted through untouched. Try. The Broncos corner erupted. Flags waving, drums beating. Titans 0, Broncos 6.
The Titans fans stayed loud. They’d seen this before — the early Broncos blitz. But they knew their side could scrap.
🔵 Titans Hit Back
Midway through the first half, the Titans got their chance. A Broncos knock-on gifted them field position. The forwards hammered the line. On the third tackle, Fifita bulldozed three defenders, drew the fullback, flicked it to Brimson. Brimson stepped inside, spun through Walsh’s last-ditch tackle, and crashed over in the corner.
The Gold Coast stand exploded. Flags waving, chants of “Titans! Titans!” rolled around the stadium. 6-4. Game on.
🏟️ Battle in the Trenches
The rest of the first half was a grind. The Broncos dominated possession, the Titans scrambled in defence. Payne Haas smashed through the middle for repeat sets. Campbell took a heavy hit under a bomb but bounced straight back up, earning a roar from the home crowd.
In the sheds at halftime, coach Des Hasler’s voice cut through the room. “They expect you to fold. You want respect? Earn it. We’re not done yet.”
⚔️ Second Half Drama
Early in the second half, the Broncos struck again. Walsh weaved through tired defenders, found Reynolds on his inside, and the veteran did the rest. Try under the posts. 12-4. The away fans in the stands bounced in celebration — they thought the game was done.
But the Titans weren’t reading the same script.
With 20 minutes to go, they lifted. An error from Brisbane gave them a sniff. Fifita charged at the line again, dragging half the Broncos pack with him. Quick play-the-ball. Brimson found Campbell sweeping out the back. The young fullback sliced through a gap, flicked it wide to Jojo Fifita hugging the sideline. Jojo hit top speed, stepped inside Walsh’s desperate dive, and planted the ball in the corner.
12-10. The roar at Robina could be heard back in Brisbane.
🕒 Final Minutes: Titans Seal It
The Broncos looked rattled. Cheap turnovers, forced passes, the pressure of the home crowd pounding in their ears. With five minutes left, the Titans pinned Brisbane in their own 20.
On the last tackle, Brimson called for it. Dummy runners ran decoys, the Broncos edge hesitated. Campbell looped around, sold the dummy, stepped back inside — and somehow found a tiny gap next to the posts.
He slammed the ball down.
The Titans section lost their minds. Flags waving. Drums beating. Kids on shoulders screaming themselves hoarse.
🔚 Full-Time: Robina Party
The final siren went. Gold Coast Titans 16, Brisbane Broncos 12. The players collapsed in a pile. Brimson hugged Campbell tight. David Fifita punched the air. Walsh dropped to his haunches, exhausted and stunned.
In the stands, families didn’t rush for the car park. They stayed. They sang. They cheered the players doing a slow lap, signing jerseys and high-fiving kids. For one night, the underdogs ruled Queensland rugby league.
🗣️ Fans React
On social media, Titans fans flooded Instagram and X (Twitter) with photos, clips, and hashtags:
#TitansVsBroncos #QueenslandDerby #NRL2025
NRL legends on TV praised Brimson’s leadership and Campbell’s big-play courage. Even Broncos fans admitted it: the Titans wanted it more.
One young fan summed it up best with a hand-painted sign lifted high at the fence: “BIG BROTHER BRONCOS, LITTLE BROTHER NO MORE!”
📢 Final Word
For the Titans, this wasn’t just two points on the ladder — it was a statement. That no matter how big the opponent, no matter how long the odds, the Gold Coast could still roar when it mattered.
As the crowd slowly drifted into the winter night, a single chant echoed in the tunnels under Cbus Super Stadium: “TITANS! TITANS! TITANS!”
