Key three: Highlights and heartbreak at Magic Round

It was highlights and heartbreak at Suncorp Stadium as the Gold Coast Titans and Newcastle Knights put on a show for nearly 40,000 spectators at day two of Magic Round in Brisbane. 

The Knights shot out to an early lead before the Titans responded but were evetually run down by a Newcastle side on a 4-game winning streak.

The Titans came close to snatching it late but will rue a slow start to the second half that saw the Knights come back into the game.

Here are the key three talking points from the round 11 encounter.

Potential match-winner overturned

It was a tough call for Titans fans as a potential 76th minute match-winning try  was overturned by the bunker for a 'bobble' by Titans centre Brian Kelly.

Suncorp Stadium roared as the Titans looked to have given themselves a conversion opportunity to win the match, but the bunker saw something those on field didn't and that would be the final chance for the Gold Coast side to snatch victory. 

Young stars rise for Magic Round

Back in the side to boost an injury riddled Titans team, Alofiana Khan-Pereira unleashed his bag of magic tricks in what was a fiery battle against the Knights.

Scoring his third double for the season and ninth career double, the Titans winger helped his side put on a dominant show that saw the Titans fall agonisingly short against the Knights.

Making over 240 run meters, his shining individual performance played a crucial role in what was an 80-minute tussle for the two-points.

Rising Titans fullback Keano Kini also got in on the try scoring action to make his inaugural try as a first-grade player, extending the Titans first half lead into the break.

Only fitting on the anniversary of his debut in Magic Round in 2023, Kini’s dynamic performance at fullback did not go unnoticed in the battle against the Knights.

Carnage continues with Jolliffe sidelined as Clark sparks

The Titans will be sweating on scans for prop Jaimin Jolliffe after losing the in-form forward to a pec injury in only the eighth minute.  

Rubbing further salt into the wounds having finished last weeks' heroic Cowboys victory with an empty bench due to injury, it's hoped the 79-gamer won't join the club's ever-growing casualty ward that already features Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Kieran Foran, AJ Brimson, Jayden Campbell, Tanah Boyd and Harley Smith-Shields who are also sidelined.

After a string of consistent performances for his team in defence all season in the absence of their captain Fa'asuamaleaui, the loss of the dynamic middle forward would be another devastating blow to the Titans 2024 campaign.

The forced interchanged turned into the best of the day when Erin Clark was injected into the game in only the seventh minute however.

Providing energy, spark and go forward the Titans middle man brought the energy to Brisbane for his side.

With more minutes than any game this season Clark finished the match with impressive stats of 53 minutes, 163 run metres (86 post-contact), 1 offload and 27 tackles, showing he will be more than capable support while Jolliffe is likely on the sidelines.