He insists he’s not jealous, but Gold Coast coach Neil Henry would certainly have been upset with James Roberts’ return to the Titans on Friday night.

It took the Brisbane flyer just three minutes to silence his former home fans at Robina by slicing through the Titans defence for the opening try of the Broncos’ 24-16 NRL win.

After a week of build up to Roberts’ return to the club he left after a contract forgery scandal, his instant impact had a sense of inevitability about it.

Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett labelled the contract situation as deceitful and said Henry would be “jealous” that Roberts was now lining up against, rather than for, the Titans.

Henry laughed off that suggestion, but it was clear Roberts’ opener was a deflating moment for him and his team.

“That’s how it is isn’t it? He was shown a bit of space and two guys had a shot at him, you need a couple there, but he’s got good footwork,” Henry said.

“I’m probably jealous we haven’t got the two points, but not of the player.”

Henry faces bigger headaches than former players heading into next week’s clash with Cronulla.

Tyrone Roberts (knee) and David Shillington (hip) both missed the Broncos match, while young halfback Ash Taylor took a whack to his shoulder early in the game.

While the former Junior Kangaroo is confident the knock is nothing too serious, Henry appeared more circumspect.

“He bravely stayed out there, didn’t want to come off,” Henry said.

“It’s a bit sore … I don’t know if it’ll keep him out, but he certainly didn’t want to come off.”