The Titans and Broncos have played out a 24-24 draw in a game of two halves for both coaches to ponder at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Sunday.
The Broncos hit the accelerator in the first half with four tries to one setting up a 24-6 lead against a Titans outfit who were without new recruits Kieran Foran and Sam Verrills for the match.
The Titans hit back, however, as the Broncos opted to rest several of their key players in the second half with Alofiana Khan-Pereira scoring twice to level the scores late.
Neither team were too desperate to opt for a one-pointer in the dying stages ahead of their final Pre-season Challenge matches next week.
Broncos fullback Reece Walsh made a stellar return to the Broncos, opening the scoring with a solo effort on the right edge before producing a goal-kicking masterclass in breezy conditions at the venue.
He did, however, leave the field in the second half after a facial knock that may require scans on Monday in the only concern for Broncos coach Kevin Walters, who would otherwise have been buoyed by what he saw from Walsh’s efforts.
Walters played most of his stars named for the first 40 minutes while Justin Holbrook left star back-rower David Fifita on the paddock for 60 minutes.
Holbrook also tinkered with Jayden Campbell’s position, using the 23-year-old at left centre with Keano Kini playing most of the match at fullback, in a possible sign the Titans coach may start Campbell in the centres with Brian Kelly suspended.
Kini was superb for the Titans at the back, taking his opportunity in a performance that may be enough to have him included in the final NRL trial against the Dolphins next week.
A double to Jordan Pereira, including a stunning effort before half-time, had the Broncos on the front foot but the Titans hit back twice in the second half through Jojo Fifita and Vaka Sikahele to make it a 12-point ball game.