As it happened: Brown boots Titans into finals; Broncos run riot

Hip Hip Hooray: Representative forward Shaylee Bent will have plenty to celebrate after not only booking a spot in the playoffs but also capping off 50 NRLW games and celebrating her 25th birthday today. 

Full-time: Finishing the match with 54 per cent of possession, the Titans will be looking to sure up their attack after failing to capitalise on several opportunities on the line late in the match. Skipper Georgia Hale got through a mountain of work up front with 59 tackles and 192 run metres. While Jessika Elliston also put up her hand for some big carries, running 249 metres with the ball.

73 min: The Titans get a second chance with the football and march the ball down for Brown who slots a field goal from 30m out to seal the hard-fought victory and keep the Titan's season alive. Titans 17-16.

69 min: On the back of another strong set of six, Brown gets within range for a shot at a one pointer but it lands short and we head to golden point.

68 min: The Titans stay alive! On the back of a metre eating run from Phoenix-Raine Hippi, Fuimaono and Lofipo combine to break open the Raiders right edge defence. Brown converts to lock up the scores 16-16.

63 min: The Raiders punt another challenge after Kolc cops a falcon to the head and the ball is ruled not played at but the knock on off the rebound stands. The Titans are on the attack again but still can't break the Raiders goal line defence.

60 min: The Titans earn a repeat set after Sereana Naitokatoka fumbles a kick in the in goal but another opportunity is lost with Jessika Elliston fumbling the ball close to the line.

57 min: Raiders back-rower Tatiana Finau is placed on report for a late shot on Brown and the halfback slots over a penalty goal to put themselves within six points from the Raiders with 12 minutes on the clock.

51 min: The Titans finals hopes are slipping away as the clock runs down with still no points drawn in the second half and Thompson is penalised and placed on report for a crusher tackle on Cheyelle Robins-Reti.

46 min: The Titans earn a repeat set in the Red Zone and throw everything at a desperate Raiders defence but a last ditch Fuimaono kick ends in a knock on.

42 min: The Titans pin the Raiders down with a great set of six but Canberra are gifted a piggy back down field after Taliah Fuimaono is caught offside.

38 min: The Raiders launch a successful captain's challenge against an Emma Barnes ball strip call but can't capitalise off the turnover.

Half-time: A close battle with an equal split of possession at half time. The Raiders completed slightly higher at 85 per cent (compared to Titans' 82 per cent) but continually turned the Titans around, kicking the footy 220 metres compared to the Gold Coast's 169 metres. The Titans need a big second half to keep their finals hopes alive.

31 min: The Raiders have all the momentum, marching down field with a couple of barnstorming runs and prop Amelia Pasikala shows her strength with a crash play from close range. Raiders 16-8.

27 min: The Raiders hit the lead with Temara finding a steaming Elise Simpson who uses her footwork to fool Titans forward Takoda Thompson at the line. Temara slots the conversion for a 10-8 lead.

21 min: The Raiders come up with an error and the Titans find their way back into the attacking zone. Lily-Rose Kolc dives over the line from dummy half but Preston does a superb job at holding the hooker up.

14 min: Brown fools the defence with a decoy run out of the scrum and Brittany Breayley-Nati sends the ball right for Lolesio and Hippi to combine again in the corner. Titans 8-4.

13 min: Another Lauren Brown bomb exposes Wuruki-Hosea and the Titans set up in the Red Zone.

7 min: The Raiders take the ball downfield, Zahara Temara sets up a short side raid and Jordyn Preston sends Wuruki-Hosea over with a beautiful cut out pass. Temara can't land the conversion.

3 min: An error from rookie Relna Wuruki-Hosea puts the Raiders under pressure early. The Titans swing the ball right and Ivana Lolesio send Phoenix-Raine Hippi over in the corner. Titans 4-0.

 

Late Mail 

Titans: Brittany Breayley-Nati will start the game in her return from a collarbone injury that has sidelined her since the start of the season. Destiny Mino-Sinapati and prop Sienna Lofipo also return. With Breayley-Nati starting, Lily Kolc shifts to the bench. The Titans can secure a top-six finish with a win. Georgia Grey has been ruled out of the match after suffering a head knock last week, with Phoenix-Raine Hippi shifting to the wing as a result. 

Raiders: No further game day changes after Grace Kemp and Mackenzie Wiki came out of the side on Friday. Relna Wuruki-Hosea will come into the starting side on the wing, with Lili Boyle the new addition on the bench. Earlier, Hollie-Mae Dodd was named for her first game since Round 6 after recovering from a foot injury. The English international is set to come off the bench. 

Numbers Game

• The Titans are aiming for their third consecutive win at Cbus Super Stadium.
• Raiders fullback Elise Simpson has scored five tries in her last four games.
• Titans winger Phoenix-Raine Hippi has scored five tries in five NRLW games.
• Raiders halfback Zahara Temara requires three points for 250 NRLW points.
• Titans second-rower Shaylee Bent will make her 50th NRLW appearance.

Broncos v Cowboys at Totally Workwear Stadium

Rampaging Robinson: Star centre Julia Robinson returned in style, racking up an impressive 263 run metres, 82 of which were post contact, seven tackle breaks, a try and an assist.

Full-time: The Broncos have finished their season off strong in second position and will be a big threat in the preliminary finals after putting on another attacking masterclass on Saturday. Brisbane have piled on 120 points in their last three matches with representative stars Tamika Upton, Julia Robinson and Romy Teitzel in superb form heading into the playoffs.

69 min: The Broncos bring up the half century with Kerri Johnson crossing in the corner. Romy Teitzel can't land the conversion but will still finish the season as the leading pointscorer. Broncos 50-4.

62 min: The Cowboys are finally on the board with Queensland Origin representative Jasmine Peters finding space on the right edge pushing before pushing past Azalleyah Maaka and Johnson to score. Dibb can't add the extras. Broncos 46-4.

58 min: The Cowboys earn a penalty and Dibb kicks for touch but doesn't find the sideline. The Broncos are back on the attack but this time North Queensland's defence holds firm.

55 min: Brisbane earn a couple of repeat sets in close range and Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala steams over the line from the tap off for a well deserved try. Teitzel's kicking game is on fire. Broncos 46-0.

44 min: Broncos coach Scott Prince has decided to rest his star fullback with Brisbane fans clapping Upton from the field.

42 min: Another Dibb bomb pins the Broncos deep into their own end but Robinson pushes past a Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell and Abigail Roache tackle before finding Upton who takes the ball 40m downfield to score a hat-trick. Broncos 40-0.

39 min: The Broncos once again turn opportunity into points, shifting the ball right to send Julia Robinson over for her seventh try in seven games. Broncos 40-0.

38 min: A forward pass call against Krystal Blackwell has the Cowboys under pressure again early in the half. 

Half-time: The Cowboys completed 11 of their 12 sets at 91 per cent but handed the Broncos too much opportunity with the football. With 59 per cent of possession, Brisbane are exposing the Cowboys defence at every opportunity with the visitors racking up 33 missed tackles compared to the Broncos' 2.

35 min: On the first tackle Broughton goes to the line and pushes through Lillian Yarrow's tackle and gets a pass back inside for Chelsea Lenarduzzi to score. Broncos 30-Cowboys 0.

35 min: With 40 seconds on the clock the Broncos are handed another shot at points after Cowboys forward Alish Foord is penalised for pulling on Upton's hair in a tackle. 

27 min: A piece of Bronco brilliance. Upton takes a Kirra Dibb high ball and takes advantage of a broken defensive line, sending the ball left to Hufanga before getting the ball back inside and racing downfield for a double. Teitzel converts her fourth straight conversion for a 24-0 lead. 

22 min: The Broncos get a repeat set in close range and they hammer at the line before Ferguson fools the Cowboys defenders, with a dummy and dive over from dummy half. Broncos 18-0.

16 min: The Cowboys go on the attack and almost have a try down the left corner but Krystal Blackall's pass for Ebony Raftstrand-Smith goes stray.

13 min: Brisbane go back-to-back out of a scrum set play as Upton shifts the ball left and Mele Hufanga dummies her way over the line. Broncos 12-0.

9 min: It's a Tamika Upton special. The star fullback darted her way through the line off a set play involving Gayle Broughton and Jada Ferguson before streaming downfield to score. Broncos 6-0.

2 min: The Broncos look dangerous early and find their way into the Red Zone but returning centre Julia Robinson fumbles the ball just in front of the goal line. 

 

Late Mail

Broncos: The Broncos are 1-17 with no late changes. Julia Robinson returns after being rested for last week's win over the Warriors. Shenae Ciesiolka will shift to the wing, with Hayley Maddick moving to the interchange. Tara McGrath-West was pushing to complete her comeback from a foot injury but was cut from squad when it was trimmed to 19 a day out from the game. Tafito Lafaele is 18th player.

Cowboys: A late change for Ricky Henry with Essay Banu to start the game and Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell going to the bench. Jakiya Whitfeld's return from a shoulder injury has been put on ice for another week, with the Cowboys taking a cautious approach with the star outside back. North Queensland need a win to secure a home final in the opening week of the post-season. China Polata is the 18th player.

Numbers Game

• The Broncos have outscored the Cowboys 78-24 in their two clashes.
• The Cowboys have won all four away games this season.
• Broncos centre Mele Hufanga has scored six tries in two games against the Cowboys.
• Cowboys five-eighth Kirra Dibb has kicked 12 goals from her last 13 attempts.
• Broncos fullback Tamika Upton has scored 15 tries in her last nine games.