Only moments after the full-time siren went, this was already being declared the greatest win in the history of the Gold Coast Titans. That might be emotion trumping reason, but after running down the league-leading Melbourne Storm, it was difficult to dispute.
"One hundred percent. I just can't believe it. We came up against the first place Storm and we stuck it to them," Titans halfback Ash Taylor told Fox after the game. "It all comes down to our belief. We stuck in there. I can't thank them enough for what they've done."
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Titans knock off Storm in an instant classic
Gold Coast have overcome the loss of three players to injury on the way to toppling premiership favourites Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium.
Down 18-6 in the first half of the double-header at Suncorp Stadium, the Titans rallied back to be within two points going into halftime. Then, after putting themselves in the box seat, the Gold Coast would have to perform another revival, ending with Konrad Hurrell stealing a Saturday blockbuster with a try at the death.
The final score read 38-36, with the Titans defying a late Storm surge to stun one of the premiership favourites. Melbourne's total of 36 was the equal highest losing total in NRL history. These are the sort of matches they just don't surrender. Craig Bellamy will be steaming.
Even the heroics of the Old Firm of Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater couldn't save the day for Melbourne, although it put a huge smile on the face of Maroons coach Kevin Walters.
"It was quite lacklustre, particularly with the game on the line. We just gave them opportunities. It was very un-Melbournelike. I dare say we'll be doing some tackling practice this week," offered up Cronk, who crossed twice for his side.
Jarryd Hayne sent a scare through the Gold Coast and potentially NSW camps with a knee injury that forced him from the field late in the game, but the verdict of minor nerve damage came as a relief for Neil Henry and Laurie Daley.
Ryan James would barrel over for his third try of the season to give the Titans a 6-0 lead after 15 minutes before the Storm settled into their work.
Melbourne had barely been out of their own half but once they did, they dissected the Titans right-edge defence with surgical precision. Tohu Harris burst through to put it on a platter for Slater, although that would simply be the entree.
Minutes later, Smith would confound the Titans with twin fakes from dummy-half, then letting Slater loose down the middle. Lurking inside was Cronk, who latched onto the final ball and sped over near the posts.
It was the kind of fluid, effortless interchange that has made all three modern greats. In the stands, Walters didn't even bother to contain his elation as he walked past the press box. It was seriously pretty rugby league.
People must be starting to wonder why Cronk would even entertain thoughts of retirement. He was over again soon after, setting up an 18-6 lead after 29 minutes and forcing the Titans to make urgent defensive adjustments.
Say what you like about the Titans, but they rarely fade out of contests. They hit back hard late in the half through Leivaha Pulu and Anthony Don, with Hayne throwing a key pass for the final try as the Gold Coast managed to get back within two at the break.
Hurrell turned that into a lead not long after the resumption, with the powerful centre just winning the race for the ball in the in-goal. Chris McQueen was next and the Storm had suddenly conceded 22 points without offering a reply.
Bellamy's blood pressure was reaching dangerous levels. Right on cue, his team tried to put the matter to rest. First Will Chambers, then Joe Stimson and finally Cheyse Blaire crossed in the space of six minutes, with Smith's boot putting them eight clear with less than 10 on the clock.
Surely that would be enough. This is Melbourne, after all, the San Antonio Spurs of rugby league. Tyrone Roberts had other ideas, getting the Titans back to within two with three minutes on the clock.
Enter Kane Elgey, who spotted his centre in open space and launched the kick across field. The placement was perfect, the finish even better and for both teams, the result almost beyond belief.
Originally published on The Sydney Morning Herald as Gold Coast Titans hit new heights to stun Melbourne Storm at Suncorp Stadium.
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