His ex-digger dad may not have been happy but Broncos prop Josh McGuire was all smiles as his runaway second half try helped inspire Brisbane’s 28-16 NRL Anzac Day win over Parramatta at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
A stellar 95m try by five-eighth Anthony Milford capped Brisbane’s sixth win in seven games in front of a 34,398-strong crowd at Suncorp Stadium.
But it was Queensland Origin hopeful McGuire who provided the early second half spark with an effort that would have almost brought a smile to the face of his father, 30-year military man Adam – almost.
McGuire’s dad revealed before the kickoff that he was a mad Eels fan and life-long NSW Origin supporter.
But even he would have been tempted to cheer on his son from the stands in the 48th minute as McGuire pounced on a John Folau spilt ball and ran 30m to score and extend their 8-4 halftime lead.
It highlighted a stellar game by McGuire who may be a Kangaroos bolter when the trans-Tasman team is named on Sunday night after his 38-tackle, 127m effort.
Hat-trick hero Bureta Faraimo kept the Eels in the match, scoring his second off a classy Corey Norman pass in the 55th to limit the damage to 14-10 before a Corey Parker penalty.
Then Brisbane’s Kodi Nikorima surprised everyone – including himself, no doubt – when he looked to rue a golden chance, only for his last gasp backflick pass to set up Milford’s 62nd minute try.
Faraimo secured his hat-trick in the 70th minute moments after Eels skipper Tim Mannah was somehow held up by Nikorima before Milford’s late heroics iced the result.
Brisbane led 8-4 at halftime thanks to a 15th minute Jack Reed try and two Parker penalties.
The only blight for McGuire was being placed on report for a 15th minute high shot on Brad Takairangi.
Eels lock Anthony Watmough was also booked for high contact on sensational Broncos fullback Lachlan Maranta in the 58th minute.