A simple message for fans: be there

THE Titans and Broncos are appealing to fans to flock to tomorrow’s clash at Cbus Super Stadium to help convince the NRL to regularly schedule the southeast derby on a Saturday.

The derby has regularly been held on a Friday night, preventing thousands of fans from attending given the battle against peak hour M1 traffic.

There was a perception the clubs had been snubbed when the draw for the final six rounds was released, with the southeast derby failing to attract a Friday night slot.

Yet Gold Coast chief executive Graham Annesley and his Brisbane counterpart Paul White are overjoyed.

“We’re really looking forward to this,” Annesley said.

“I wish we were looking forward to it from the point of view of still being alive in the competition.

“We would love to see as many people as a possible from Brisbane come down.

“And I’d also like to see as many Gold Coast fans and members as possible get along to the game to make sure that we’re there in at least equal numbers and possibly more numbers than the Broncos.”

The Broncos have been pilloried for their seeming favouritism for Thursday and Friday night football.

But White said the club was “desperate” to play afternoon footy in Brisbane.

“I’m hopeful that people take up the challenge and support this game in large numbers and we provide a great argument back to NRL Central,” he said.