Two magical pieces of ball handling by fullback Josh Hoffman and winger Antonio Winterstein combined to give Brisbane a 24-10 NRL victory over the Gold Coast at Skilled Park on Friday night.

The Titans had led 10-6 after enjoying a mountain of possession in the opening 40 minutes.

But Winterstein's second try following some brilliant play from Hoffman knocked the stuffing out of the Titans.

Hoffman, who had a busy game, picked up a low pass off his boots and in the same motion he grubber-kicked ahead down the left touch-line.

He is growing quickly in confidence in Karmichael Hunt's old No.1 jumper.

Broncos coach Ivan Henjak said Hoffman had been outstanding all season but had been "really special" on Friday night.

Winterstein, who had put Brisbane ahead 12-10 with a 54th-minute try, matched Hoffman's effort, scooping the ball up low down before diving over.

Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting would have accepted both catches had they been taken in the Test against Pakistan at Lord's.

Referee Matt Cecchin earned the ire of some of the 26,000 crowd when he sent Titans centre Mat Rogers to the sin bin for 10 minutes for a professional foul in the 52nd minute for holding down Broncos winger Jharal Yow Yeh who had dashed 60 metres down field.

The incident proved pivotal with the Broncos scoring a try when Rogers was off the field and momentum continued their way for the rest of the match.

Gold Coast coach John Cartwright was left fuming about the decision.

"I'd like somebody to explain the ruling when the sin bin is applied," said Cartwright.

"I'd just like someone to explain it to me. I'd like to know why that one was a sin bin and others aren't."

He did however concede the Titans just didn't do enough.

"We had enough territory to put points on them but we didn't. They are a good side - they scrambled well and just kept stopping us," he said.

Brisbane's gritty defence won them the game after they absorbed wave after wave of attack in the first half.

"It may not have been our best, but it was our gutsiest win," said Henjak.

Unfortunately for the Titans they lost five-eighth Greg Bird late in the game to what looked like a hamstring injury that could sideline him for a month.

Brisbane's only injury concerns were back-rower Sam Thaiday (cork) and Jharal Yow Yeh (leg).

Broncos captain Darren Lockyer said Brisbane's defence had won them the game after the Titans threw a lot at them in the opening 40 minutes.

"They could easily have put 20 points on us and at the start of the season they would have," said Lockyer.

"It was a pretty tough effort by the boys."

The win will push Brisbane, now on 22 points, up the ladder after South Sydney's loss to the Dragons in Sydney.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP