Broncos v Bulldogs player ratings: who starred for Brisbane in 34-14 demolition
A comeback for the ages, a Brisbane blowout no one saw coming and a legend’s best game in a Broncos jersey - these are the players who starred and flopped at Suncorp Stadium.
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Well, we didn’t see that Broncos blowout coming.
Poor Kevvie looked as glum as a kid who didn’t get his favourite toy from Santa as the hungry Dogs sniffed blood at 14-6. Just as the Dogs went for the kill, the real bloodbath broke out. The Broncos went berserk, piling on five tries in 21 minutes. The Dogs of War had been muzzled on Anzac Day weekend. Brisbane’s four-game losing streak is over. Kevvie left Suncorp as happy as the Dogs fan who channelled Kostya Tszyu unloading on the hapless Broncos supporter who carried on like a goose during a minute’s silence. God bless rugby league.
1. TE MAIRE MARTIN - 8
This was a comeback befitting a Rocky script. After three years out of rugby league due a brain bleed, Te Maire brained ‘em in his triumphant return to the game. Martin looked like he’d never been away. His Broncos debut was as flawless as it was heroic. He was safe under the high ball and pulled off three trysavers in the first 30 minutes alone. Throw in two tackle busts, and maybe the Broncos have stumbled upon a surprise gift at fullback. A bit like finding 20 bucks by the side of the road.
2. COREY OATES - 7
Big Oatesy is getting his mojo back. The highlight was his 35th-minute set piece when he came charging in from the Caxton Street Hotel and hit an Adam Reynolds pass at such speed poor Matt Burton resembled roadkill as Oates crashed over the line. Finished with 120 metres and three tackle busts. Would an Origin call-up be out of the question?
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3. KOTONI STAGGS - 6
After two belting performances in the past fortnight, Staggs was incredibly well contained by emerging Bulldogs rival Aaron Schoupp, who is a likely lump of a lad. Managed just one tackle bust as Schoupp arguably got the better of his bigger-name rival but Staggs came alive late, producing the flick pass in the lead-up to Brisbane’s final try of the night.
4. HERBIE FARNWORTH - 7
The off-contract Farnworth’s market value is surging like fuel prices at the local Ampol. The Broncos better lock him up soon. The British flyer was a constant menace with ball in hand and finished with a Broncos-high eight tackle busts. Farnworth is the most undervalued player in the Broncos side; as slippery as Saudi Arabian oil.
5. SELWYN COBBO - 7
A rocks-and-diamonds performance but it’s hard not to get excited by the diamonds part. Cobbo started shakily and must have channelled Corey Oates of 2015 grand-final infamy when he rushed off his wing twice in the first half, giving Josh Addo-Carr too much room to celebrate a double. But the Cherbourg Iceberg showed his cool head in the second half, hitting back to score a double, including a sublime touchdown from a Reynolds kick. His late kick infield for Brisbane’s final try oozed raw talent.
6. TYSON GAMBLE - 4
Loses two points for the worst haircut in the NRL. Seriously, can somebody with some clout at the Broncos call Gamble in and tell him to fix his pathetic haircut. Memo Tyson, you aren’t a 16-year-old rebelling against mum and dad. Grow up. Wayne Bennett wouldn’t cop such a dusty ‘do which belongs with The Finks. For a start, Gamble should focus on playing good football and get respect in the NRL. His option-taking was largely erratic and he finished the game gobbing off with Matt Dufty. Needs to lift this week against the Sharks.
7. ADAM REYNOLDS - 9
Classy. Slick. Magic. Superb. Throw in all the superlatives for Reynolds, who produced his best performance since joining the Broncos. This was the reason the Broncos outlaid $2.4 million for their marquee import. With the game on the line, the little champion delivered, producing the chip kick which led to his try and having a hand in three others to put the Dogs to bed. His showdown this week with Sharks rival Nicho Hynes will be a beauty.
8. COREY JENSEN - 4
Has been one of Brisbane’s unsung heroes of the past few weeks. Started the game well and it’s a tribute to his attitude that the former Cowboys grand-final prop won a starting spot alongside Payne Haas. But after four runs and 12 tackles in a promising opening 20-minute stint, he failed to return to the action.
14. BILLY WALTERS - 5
Billy was clearly given a brief by his old man and coach Kevvie to go hell-for-leather in the first 30 minutes, take the sting out of the Dogs, then come off for Cory Paix to have a crack around the rucks. Walters was busy and energetic and he almost caught the Bulldogs napping with a dummy-half snipe in the 29th minute. But he gave away two penalties and some of his decisions at dummy half lacked patience. Gets a pass mark for his effort and laying the platform for Paix’s eventual heroics.
10. PAYNE HAAS - 8
The last time Haas faced the Bulldogs he found himself in hot water for punching teammate Albert Kelly after their win in Sydney in round 2. Recalled to the side after a one-game suspension for his Shoe-gate scuffle, Haas underlined his value to the Broncos. Alarm bells rang when Haas hurt his shoulder in the first hit-up of the match and left the field after eight minutes for treatment. A few pain-killing injections and, Kapow!, Haas was back tearing through the Bulldogs like crazed shoppers at the Boxing Day sales. Finished with 210 metres, almost 100m more than the next prop on the field. Remarkable.
11. KURT CAPEWELL - 6
Not a performance to set the pulses racing but Capewell is the king of the no-fuss one percenters. Quiet in the first half but when the pressure levels rose in the second, the premiership winner stepped up. Ran a bruising, crucial line in the lead-up to Cory Paix’s try and he topped the Broncos tackle count with 32 for a solid night at the office.
12. JORDAN RIKI - 6
The muscle man of the Broncos still has a way to go to cement himself as a dominant NRL back-rower. There are still gaps in his game, as evidenced by the four missed tackles which continue to be a thorn in his evolution as a first-grader. He failed to shut down the slick Schoupp pass for Addo-Carr’s opening try, but Riki has a knack of chalking-up tackles with a minimum of fuss. His crucial regather and pass for Reynolds’ match-winning try was a tribute to his fitness and commitment when the heat was on.
13. KOBE HETHERINGTON - 5
Another so-so performance from Pat Carrigan’s replacement at lock. Tried hard early but his numbers - 90 metres and 15 tackles - were well down on the ironman efforts Carrigan produces on a weekly basis. Finished the night with 39 minutes but needs to do more if he wants to be a bona fide threat to Carrigan for the No.13 jumper.
INTERCHANGE
9. CORY PAIX - 7
Paix has been as desperate for game time as salivating shoppers hunting for hand sanitiser during the Covid crisis. Finally, his prayers were answered by coach Walters and how he delivered. This was the best game of Paix’s career. While Reynolds rightly deserved man-of-the-match honours, Paix’s contribution was vital. His dummy-half snipe in the 56th minute ignited Brisbane’s fightback and was the catalyst for the late avalanche which buried the Dogs. Three tackle busts, two line breaks and 27 tackles ... Paix could be the man to shine at nine.
15. RHYS KENNEDY - 6
First, a mea culpa moment. I likened Kennedy to the old roller at the Gabba last week. Well, the man they call ‘Rooster’ crowed last and loudest with his moment of glory, pouncing on a Cobbo kick in the dying minutes to seal a great Broncos fightback. Not a world beater but Kennedy’s effort can never be questioned.
16. TOM FLEGLER - 6
Started from the bench in his return from suspension and you had to feel for poor Tom. You got the feeling he was terrified of showing any aggression lest he have another brain snap and risk another suspension siesta, but he deserves kudos for a controlled performance. The Maroons bookend produced a few handy runs and, most importantly, managed 24 tackles without a dreaded call-out from the referee.
17. KEENAN PALASIA - 6
For bench players it’s all about adding impact and Palasia executed superbly. Kept the Bulldogs midfield honest with 13 runs and his 97 metres was the second-best yardage of the Broncos forwards behind Haas. Throw in 29 tackles, some which really stung the Dogs ball-runners, and Palasia holds his spot for another week.
Originally published as Broncos v Bulldogs player ratings: who starred for Brisbane in 34-14 demolition
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