BRONCOS PLAYING FOR PRIDE IN GRUDGE MATCH
BRONCOS stars insist they haven’t given up and are desperate to avoid the wooden spoon as Brisbane superstar David Fifita braces for Saturday night’s grudge match against the Titans.
The cavalry is returning for the embattled Broncos with skipper Alex Glenn, boom winger Xavier Coates and Origin prop Joe Ofahengaue returning from injury and suspension for the derby clash at Cbus Super Stadium.
But all eyes will be on departing Bronco Fifita, who faces his future club for the first time since he shocked Brisbane by inking a threeyear, $3.5 million deal to join the Titans from next season.
The Titans thumped the Broncos 30-12 in round seven, but Brisbane interim coach Peter Gentle believes Fifita can deliver a brutal display.
“I would like Dave to show the Titans what they are getting,” Gentle said.
“People keep asking what have the guys got to play for? We are playing for pride, we have to get a result in the final three games. We need to build on our effort in recent weeks.”
The Titans have won three of their last five games, including victories in the past fortnight against the Dragons (1410) and Canterbury (18-14), consecutive triumphs that have underscored the Coast‘s greater defensive steel.
The Titans have won twice as many games as the Broncos this season, but 15th-placed Brisbane are confident of knocking off the Coast after last week’s committed 25-12 loss to ladder leaders Penrith.
Rookie Brisbane centre Herbie Farnworth insists the Broncos have not raised the white flag as they fight to avoid the first wooden spoon in the club‘s proud history.
“I don’t think anyone has sat down and thought this year has been a write-off,” he said. “We haven’t sat back and thought this year is over.
“The Titans have been playing good footy this year. We’ve just got to aim up and do all the little things right.”