Key Three: Fast starts hurt, Brimson shows versatility, Foran ends streak
The Gold Coast Titans were gallant today n their round 26 match, going 36-30 to the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium.
The 'Sunshine Showdown' has built a reputation for exciting matches and today's see-saw affair was no different, as both sides dominated different stages of the game. In a high-scoring affair it was the men from the Peninsula that would come out the victors though.
Here are the key three talking points from today's game:
Dolphins fast starts prove costly
It was all Dolphins in the opening 30 minutes before a neat kick from AJ Brimson brought the Titans into the game. After toiling away in their own half for majority of the first stanza, the Titans got some field position and quickly turned it into points.
They backed it up five minutes later with a nice run from Chris Randall before he flick passed it to the flying Jaylan De Groot to score. The Titans would score a third through veteran Kieran Foran to level it up at 18-all on the break.
It was all the Dolphins again in the early stages of the second half as they put on back to back tries, before long-rang effort finished by AJ Brimson brought it back to 30-24 in favour of the Dolphins. Each side score one more to finish the game, but the fast starts of each half from the home side proved too much for the Titans to chase down.
Brimson to centres as Kini's minutes increase
He has been one of the Titans best in 2025 and AJ Brimson again showed his versatility in a move to the centres early in the second half. With Tony Francis coming off and the dynamic Keano Kini coming on to fullback, it was Brimson who made the move to left centre.
Kini has been making a steady return from a serious neck injury via the interchange bench, with his minutes increasing each week. Brimson is never far out of the action though, scoring a crucial try in the 62nd minute after a Brian Kelly and Beau Fermor combined on the last tackle.
With Kieran Foran to call time on his NRL career after next week's round 27 game, Brimson may well move back into the five-eighth role next year, but for today he again showed his immense value to the Gold Coast with his versatility. Carter Gordon also featured in the final 19-man squad, giving options for the side in 2026.
Foran continues streak ahead of final game
Kieran Foran has never had a try-less season and he didn’t want his 17th and final year to be any different – breaking his nudie run with a classic four-pointer right before the break.
Typifying his career based on effort and always being there for his teammates, it was a well-deserved try for the 317-game legend who is now only 80 minutes away from closing the curtain on a magnificent career after announcing his retirement earlier this year.
Titans members and fans will get one final opportunity to honour Kieran Foran at Gold Coast's final home game of the season against the Wests Tigers next Saturday.
The 35-year-old has achieved it all during his time in the game – across five NRL clubs and for his country New Zealand – a big crowd is expected at Cbus Super Stadium with the game uniting to help celebrate the champion.
The Titans will return to Cbus next Saturday night for 'Thank You Members Round' against the Wests Tigers. The club is calling all Members and fans to join them in celebrating the career of NRL-legend Kieran Foran as he farewells the game in his final match. Buy tickets here.
