NRL Round 14: Keano Kini steals victory as Gold Coast Titans win 28-23 over Brisbane Broncos

This time last year, the Broncos donned their black jerseys and blew the Titans away to reignite their premiership push. But now their hopes are in tatters, as the Titans got their revenge with a try of the year contender at the death.

Peter Badel

@badel_cmail

3 min read

June 6, 2026 - 10:13PM

Gold Coast Titans steal victory with "play of the year"

NRL

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Brisbane’s premiership defence is in tatters after Gold Coast fullback Keano Kini produced one of the solo tries of the season to inspire a Titanic 28-23 boilover on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium.

In arguably the greatest M1 derby of all-time, Kini conjured an epic 55-metre chip-and-chase try to snatch a famous Titans victory and leave the Broncos’ title hopes on life support before 41,087 stunned fans.

The Broncos looked to have stolen bragging rights in a Suncorp thriller when halfback iceman Adam Reynolds snapped a field-goal seven minutes from time to break a 22-all deadlock.

But with the Titans seemingly gone, Kini turned Houdini, chipping over the Broncos in the 77th minute, colliding with rival fullback Reece Walsh, and somehow hanging onto the ball to race away to score.

“I have been unhappy with where I have been at, but I was proud I could pull that out for my team,” Kini said.

When the full-time siren sounded, the elated Titans broke a five-match, 55-day losing run, in the process consigning the shattered Broncos to a five-match losing streak and a dismal 5-8 record.

Keano's stunning try against the Broncos

TITANIC EFFORT

Their confidence eroded by five straight losses, the Titans trailed 12-0 early and looked to be facing a Broncos belting when they sensationally came alive.

Gold Coast rocked Big Brother with four tries in a stunning 26-minute blitz, two either side of halftime, including a double to Jayden Campbell (49th and 54th) as the Titans pivot ran riot.

When Campbell crossed for his second, leaving Payne Haas and Kotoni Staggs choking on his vapour trail, the Broncos were in disarray as the Titans bolted clear at 22-12 with 25 minutes to play.

Tries to Jesse Arthars (57th) and Grant Anderson (67th) gave Brisbane hope at 22-all, but the Titans overcame Reynolds’ one-pointer as ‘Special K’ gave rookie coach Josh Hannay his greatest win.

“That was a massive effort,” Titans co-captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui said. “That bit of skill from Keano to seal the game was pretty awesome. We’ve been working hard for this.”

Titans stars Jayden Campbell (left) and Keano Kini (middle) celebrate. Picture: NRL Imagery

REECE’S RAGE

It was another bittersweet night for Walsh in his audition for an Origin II recall.

Brisbane’s superstar fullback started with good intent and energy but when the Broncos lost control at the back end of the first half, conceding two tries in seven minutes, Walsh lost his cool.

His mood wasn’t helped by a first-half cork to his buttock. It left Walsh struggling to respond when Phil Sami burst into the clear in the 38th minute and scorched past the Broncos fullback to finish off a 70-metre epic and whittle the halftime deficit to 12-10.

As Sami roared in delight, Walsh was seen standing behind the tryline, exploding in frustration as he argued with Broncos teammate Jack Gosiewski.

If it’s only a cork, he should be fit for Origin II, but whether Queensland coach Billy Slater was convinced with Walsh’s 144 metres and five tackle busts remains to be seen.

The Broncos’ premiership dream has suffered a devastating blow, after a fifth straight loss. Picture: Getty Images

MAM OH MAM

Talk about a Sliding Doors moment.

Star five-eighth Ezra Mam was dropped in favour of Tom Duffy but it was Duffy’s head knock in the 16th minute that opened the door for Mam to make a statement to coach Michael Maguire.

Mam made an instant impact, amassing four tackle busts and linking with Anderson for the line break that led to Staggs’ sensational touch down in the 23rd minute.

When Duffy passed his HIA, Mam was called to the touchline, but it was a huge tactical conundrum for Maguire.

Mam was recalled for the final 19 minutes to win the game but it was Titans trio Kini, Campbell and halfback Zane Harrison who staged a Gold Coast rescue.

BRONCOS IN CRISIS

This is a crushing loss for the Broncos. It could prove the dagger to their title defence. The Titans had just 35 per cent of territory, but the Broncos kept the door ajar with sloppy defensive misses at crucial times.