From the try under the posts in front of his adoring home fans to the resulting conversion from dead in front, breaking Brisbane’s points record couldn’t have gone any better for Corey Parker.
Well, except for the result of the match.
Parker crashed over for the 36th try of his career in the 70th minute of Friday’s NRL clash with Canterbury at Suncorp Stadium, sending the 34,082 crowd into delirium as he converted the four-pointer to eclipse Darren Lockyer’s record of 1191 career points for the Broncos.
Home fans hoping his try would also prove a match-turning moment were left deflated however as the Bulldogs hung on for a tenacious 18-16 win.
And while the loss was an irritant for Parker, becoming the most prolific Bronco still brought a smile to Parker’s face.
“I’ve been very fortunate to be part of a great club for a long time and to take a record like that away from a legend of the game is very special,” he said.
“We did lose the game so it would have been a bit sweeter to get the two points.
“It was nice to do it here in Brisbane, to be honest. Throughout my career you get so much support from my friends, family and the fans, it was nice to be able to repay them.
“The only disappointing thing is we didn’t get the win.”
Parker’s journey began as a self-described “skinny” prop in 2001 and has taken him to a premiership in 2006 as well as Queensland State of Origin and Test honours.
Coach Wayne Bennett said the “remarkable” backrower, who also holds a club record for the most goals in a single match (10 vs Penrith in 2008), had only become his chosen goalkicker by accident.
Spotted kicking goals at training one day, Bennett decided to give the forward a go in a match when Lockyer and Michael De Vere were both unavailable.
“He’s been remarkable, Corey, in so many ways,” Bennett said.
“This is another achievement for him.”
MOST CAREER POINTS FOR BRISBANE
1192 – Corey Parker (36 tries, 524 goals)
1195 – Darren Lockyer (123 tries, 341 goals, 21 field goals)
1062 – Michael De Vere (64 tries, 403 goals)
744 – Terry Matterson (29 tries, 314 goals)
568 – Steve Renouf (142 tries)
