Key Three: Weather plays havoc, Origin auditions and Brimson brings energy
It was an unusually cold and wet Sunday at Cbus Super Stadium as the Gold Coast Titans went down to the North Queensland Cowboys 30-24 this afternoon.
For two sides used to playing in the heat and Queensland sunshine, the change provided challenges early, before the game opened up in the second half and the north Queenslanders came home the stronger in the XXXX Derby.
Here are the key three talking points from the match;
Wet weather plays havoc with handling
The rain arrived right on kick off and it didn't stop pouring from that moment on - and with it came tough handling conditions. By the time the 25 minute-mark ticked over there was already 10 errors (five each) in the game. Despite the Cowboys scoring first it was clear, the team that could get its handling under control would dominate the game.
It was the Cowboys who settled and went on to dominate field position and possession shooting out to a 24-6 lead early in the second half. From that moment the Titans kicked into gear and led the field position to post back to back tries, but it was a bridge to far as the Cowboys held on through a final try and claimed victory.
Final Origin Auditions
There was a host of Origin stars on show across both sides putting their final performances in for Queensland selection.
For the Titans, Beau Fermor was his usual workhorse-self, going about his business on both sides of the ball. Fermor opened the scoring on the back of a nice Kieran Foran pass and finished with 124 run metres, a line break and 36 tackles giving Billy Slater a nice reminder of what he can bring should he look to make a recall.
Up front, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui put in his usual effort with 112 run metres, 35 tackles and no misses in 69 minutes, while Moeaki Fotuaika provided impact from the bench, showing his versatility in how Queensland coach Billy Slater could use him in the decider.
Newly minted Englishman, AJ Brimson may have been in Billy Slater's sights after incumbent Kalyn Ponga injured his foot on Friday, but the four-time Origin player's change in eligibility to his Mothers birthplace of England rules him out of selection.
The other Titans with previous Origin experience are Phil Sami, who could come into reckoning with a reshuffled Queensland backline after Ponga's injury and Reagan Campbell-Gillard who has appeared for the NSW Blues on three occasions previously.
Brimson provides shining light
He had nine tries in 13 matches going into today's game so, it was no surprise to see AJ Brimson heavily involved in all that was good for the Titans today.
Playing fullback after the early-season injury to Keano Kini, Brimson has looked better each week since making the move from five-eighth. In conditions not overly favourable for the outside backs, Brimson bobbed up all game, putting the Cowboys defence under constant pressure.
He was involved in the Titans late surge, highlighted by a try in the 54th minute and finished with 168 running metres, five tackle breaks, two offloads.
The Titans now have the bye with State of Origin sides selected tomorrow, before returning back to Cbus Super Stadium for the Macca's Local Derby where they will face the Brisbane Broncos in both the NRL and NRLW. Buy tickets here.
