Halted ... in-form playmaker Albert Kelly faces a long stint on the sidelines after injuring his leg. Source: Adam Head / News Limited
Albert Kelly's season is in tatters, with the Gold Coast halfback producing the try of the year before suffering a serious leg injury as the Brisbane Broncos delivered a vintage ambush at Skilled Park last night with a 32-12 win.
Kelly, who was on the verge of signing with the Titans until 2015, punched the ground and was carried from the field in front of 22,749 fans in the dying minutes after having his 115kg teammate Jamal Idris crash into his right leg, the same one he broke in 2011 while playing for Cronulla
It was a crushing blow for the Titans No. 7, who lit Skilled Park alight with a stunning solo effort in the first half that will feature on highlight reels for years.
Kelly burst through Brisbane's line inside his own half before chipping over Broncos fullback Corey Norman and scoring besides the post.
But his joy was shortlived as the Gold Coast's three-match winning streak was broken by a desperate Broncos outfit that outenthused them for 80 minutes.
The Titans lacked composure after five-eighth Aidan Sezer was ruled out late with a hamstring strain and they could face more selection dramas before next Sunday's home game against Parramatta with co-captain Greg Bird placed on report.
Bird, who was playing pivot for the first time in a year, will be scrutinised by the match review panel on Monday for a high tackle on Broncos winger Lachlan Maranta, which sparked an all-in melee.
The NSW Origin star was last suspended two years ago, when he copped a one-match ban for striking, and will face an anxious wait before the match review panel releases its charge sheet on Monday.
But his frustration was a signal of the Gold Coast's mindset as they struggled to withstand a fierce Broncos outfit who charged up the field with ease in the second half against a team that lacked its usual enthusiasm in defence.
Centre Brad Takairangi came into the match with a hamstring problem and lasted just 20 minutes before being replaced by Steve Michaels, who had a torrid night controlling Broncos star Justin Hodges.
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