A Lauren Brown masterclass has guided Gold Coast to a 26-6 thrashing of a woeful Sydney Roosters in a brutal NRLW clash with an element of spite.
On the same day Brisbane overcame a half-time deficit to beat a winless Wests Tigers 44-14, the Titans reasserted their authority as NRLW heavyweights.
Titans halfback Brown scored two tries and had a hand in two others with her kicking game on-song, with last year’s grand finalists only out of the top four on for-and-against.
Roosters centre Jayme Fressard and Titans second-rower Shaylee Bent were both sin-binned in the second half after an all-in melee broke out.
Titans five-eighth Taliah Fuimaono was also binned in the fourth minute for dangerous contact on Roosters centre Isabelle Kelly, who left the field for an HIA but later returned.
Roosters prop Millie Elliott also sustained a bloodied nose and went off for an HIA after making a tackle in the first half.
Elliott came back on, but her presence was not enough to inspire a Roosters side that made every error under the sun.
Brown, who was unwell when she played in last week’s loss to North Queensland, ran the show from start to finish at Robina on a 30-degree day on the Gold Coast more suited to the beach.
Titans winger Emily Bass scored the first try after some Brown show-and-go in the lead-up. Powerhouse fullback Evania Pelite powered over on the stroke of half-time to give the hosts an 8-0 lead in a half they owned.
Brown then took control after the break. She grubbered for herself to score, sent Pelite over for her second with a sublime pass, then did it all herself to split the Roosters defence to score.
Roosters fullback Sam Bremner scored a late consolation try, but the afternoon got worse for the visitors when Fressard limped off with a lower-leg injury.
Titans prop Shannon Moto led a fierce pack, while Pelite at the back was always a handful.
Lauren Dam scored two of the Broncos’ eight tries in their runaway win over Wests Tigers. (Getty Images: Matt King)
Brisbane also moved to a 3-2 record and into the top four, after overcoming an early 12-0 deficit to beat the Tigers.
With Sarah Togatuki rolling through the middle and producing offloads, the Broncos were on the back foot early.
But Brisbane were able to turn the tide and switch it on with eight unanswered tries, with Ali Brigginshaw and Chelsea Lanarduzzi both brilliant in the comeback.
Julia Robinson bagged a crucial 90-metre intercept try with the Tigers on the attack and up 14-6 just after half-time, entirely changing the complexion of the match.
AAP
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