The Gold Coast Titans produced a stunning comeback to sink the Knights 24-20 in Newcastle on Friday night, after trailing 20-0 late in the first half.
With Newcastle seemingly totally in control and Gold Coast facing a sixth consecutive defeat, the visitors climbed off the canvas to run in four unanswered tries.
After releasing the shackles in a 30-4 trouncing of South Sydney at Magic Round last week, the Knights looked on track to post back-to-back wins that would have lifted them from 13th to 10th.
But they underestimated the resolve of Des Hasler’s men, who fought back to allow skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui to celebrate his 100th NRL game in style.
An AJ Brimson try in the 78th minute – his second of the night – nudged Gold Coast into the lead for the first time all game and completed one of the bravest fightbacks seen in the NRL this year.
The Knights drew first blood with a Kalyn Ponga penalty in the third minute, and their first try came in the 17th minute when back-rower Dylan Lucas broke through a flimsy Jayden Campbell tackle.
The Titans celebrate AJ Brimson’s matchwinning try.Credit: Getty Images
Seven minutes later, Newcastle five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe backed up on the inside after a left-edge raid to score his seventh try in eight games this season, and the 18th of his 21-game NRL career.
A crashing try from bench forward Mat Croker carried the home team to a 20-0 lead, only for them to clock off defensively late in the first half and allow the Titans to regain some ground with a try by centre Phil Sami.
A second Sami try, seven minutes into the second half, reduced the deficit to 20-12 and gave the visitors a glimmer of hope.
When Brimson scored his first try in the 67th minute, and Campbell converted from near the sideline, the Titans were back within two points.
Newcastle’s cause was not helped in the last 10 minutes when winger Greg Marzhew limped off with an injury, leaving them with a makeshift backline.
The Titans then completed a great escape when winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira kicked ahead and Brimson won the race to score the match-winner.
It was nothing less than Fa’asuamaleaui deserved after a warrior-like effort in his milestone game.
For Hasler, it will relieve some pressure after a week of speculation about his future – and that of several key players – at the struggling club.
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