I love a banana skin game no matter the sport.
Of course, it is never the nicest proposition when your own team is presented with a situation which they should manage, while at the same time the possibility of things going pear-shaped makes for a nervous wait and a scary match that needs to be navigated.
Brisbane find themselves in that exact scenario heading into Sunday night’s clash with the Titans on the Gold Coast. Off the back of four straight wins, a few against very good opposition and now sitting fifth on the ladder heading into the final third of the season, the Broncos have the chance to resurrect a campaign that looked well off the rails early on.
An amazing comeback win against the Dogs last time out followed a solid performance against the impressive Warriors. It was a close win against the Sharks on the 22nd of June and the 44-14 thumping of the Titans the week prior suggests that Sunday should be a walk in the park for a team that all others fear if healthy.
Yet the circumstances around the fixture read like a potential nightmare for Brisbane.
Firstly, the Titans appear to be going a little better than they were a month ago. Two wins in their last three and far better performances against the Sea Eagles and Eels finally brought a little hope to the Bermuda Triangle of the NRL.
A 30-24 loss to the Cowboys two weeks ago soured the improvement a little yet the squad will be freshened by the week off and hopeful of a fifth win for the season.
The squad is at near full strength, the Origin representatives will back up and after the news surrounding coach Des Hasler, a stirring performance could well be on the cards.
I’m not believing any of the hype around the ‘losing of the dressing room’, and whilst the future Titans look certain to be guided by a new coach from 2026 onwards, Hasler commands respect and the situation within the four walls will be far less dramatic than what some sections of the media would have you believe.
It simply has not worked out for Des Hasler at the Titans. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Expect a resilient performance, a bold one and a challenge to the Titans’ nearest neighbour. It is far more likely that Hasler will leave off the back of a poor season in terms of wins, not a lost dressing room, and there are myriad reasons for that.
If the last few weeks have shown us anything about the playing group, it is that they are stilling putting in for the coach and knowing the way Hasler’s mind works, he will find a way to galvanise the group and enjoy the final period of their ride together.
That is all well and good, with a resurgent Broncos certain to have too many weapons for the Titans. Surely?
Seemingly, the planets have aligned in a manner to make the clash unlosable for them, one that will continue to confirm that Brisbane’s form has turned for good and that a premiership so many thought possible in the pre-season is still on the cards.
How on earth could we even think that things will go wrong for the Broncs on Sunday night?
Patrick Carrigan, Gehamat Shibasaki and Payne Haas will back up, Reece Walsh appears to have managed the injury that saw him hobbling a fortnight ago and Ben Hunt is back on deck for duty.
Reece Walsh runs with the ball. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Like the Titans, there are few omissions, with perhaps Corey Jensen the most significant for Brisbane. After the absurd absences during the Origin period that crippled a handful of matches, as they always do, it is wonderful to see all the stars on board.
Beau Fermor, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Moeaki Fotuaika will take on the powerful Brisbane pack, Jayden Campbell will look to scheme and AJ Brimson is ever dangerous at the back. Adam Reynolds will game manage for the Broncs as the two Origin forwards lay a platform, whilst Walsh and Kotoni Staggs look to capitalise on the edges.
It is the banana skin game of all banana skin games for the Broncos. Some faith has been restored in their credentials, yet to slip up now would see top four aspirations become unlikely and their season dragged back into mediocrity.
There will be little pressure on the Titans and free-form they may. Hasler will not oversee a train wreck to end the season, he is too proud for that and the players still appear to have their heads in the game.
Of course, if it all goes awry for the Titans and the Broncos win by 50, I’ll read your comments below and have a laugh at just how wrong I was.
Yet almost certainly, Michael Maguire will be presenting it as the danger game it is; one the Broncos simply must win.
