After suffering a narrow 34 – 35 loss to the Panthers on a Monday night in round 18, their third loss on the trot, the Broncos had to back up last week against in an in form Warriors outfit who were looking for the fourth consecutive win.
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After only ten minutes the Broncos were behind 12 – 0 and starring down the barrel of a fourth straight loss however, the home-side responded well under pressure and the Broncos answered with three tries of their own in the first half, two in the final five minutes, to take an unlikely lead into the break.
The second half was a real arm-wrestle with the Warriors levelling up twice but two quick tries to Dale Copley in the space of three minutes, saw the Broncos edge clear and with determined defence in the last ten minutes, hang on for a gritty win.
The win sees them hold onto sixth spot on the ladder.
Last week’s come-from-behind win plus the news of Wayne Bennett returning to the Brisbane and replacing current Coach Anthony Griffin, would only spur the current playing list on for this week’s clash against the Storm.
Interestingly, Ben Barba and Josh Hoffman switch position for this clash with Matt Gillett to return to the second row.
STORM
After consecutive losses the Dragons and Canterbury in round 16 and 18 respectively, the Storm also needed to win their clash last week against the Raiders to keep pace with the top half of the comp.
The Storm scored twice within the first ten minutes of the game and looked set to run away with it but to their credit, the Raiders answered with two tries of their own to be within four points at the break.
It was the class of the Storm that shone through in the second half and they always had the game under control (28 – 14) but can’t help but feel that the Storm side of seasons past, would’ve really put this game to bed a lot earlier than what they did after such a start.
It was only the Storm’s third 13 + win off the year – last year they registered nine.
Ryan Hinchcliffe returns to the starting line-up pushing Jordan McLean back to the bench which also includes Kenny Bromwich, Dayne Weston and Young Tonumaipea.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Storm have an impeccable record over Brisbane, having won each of the six games played between the two clubs since 2011 – including three at Suncorp.
Each of those Suncorp matches has ended in close affairs though with 7, 1 and 6 points being the respective difference.
Expect another close match here with the first 15 minutes of the game vital. The Storm can start quick and the Broncos can ill-afford another first ten minutes like they’ve produced in the past two weeks – it’s a hard task to run the Storm down and they’ve led at the break in all bar one of the last six which they have won.
Teams:
Broncos: Josh Hoffman, Lachlan Maranta, Dale Copley, Justin Hodges, Jordan Kahu, Ben Barba, Ben Hunt, Josh McGuire, Andrew McCullough, Corey Parker, Alex Glenn, Matt Gillett, Sam Thaiday. Interchange: Jake Granville, Ben Hannant, Martin Kennedy, Todd Lowrie, Jarrod Wallace, Jack Reed, Corey Oates, Daniel Vidot
Storm: Billy Slater, Sisa Waqa, Will Chambers, Mahe Fonua, Marika Koroibete, Ben Roberts, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith, Bryan Norrie, Kevin Proctor, Ryan Hoffman, Ryan Hinchcliffe. Interchange: Tim Glasby, Tohu Harris, Kenneath Bromwich, Jordan McLean, Dayne Weston, Young Tonumaipea
