Anthony Griffin’s gamble flopped, Martin Kennedy exposed by Cowboys in Queensland derby
BRISBANE coach Anthony Griffin’s decision to axe Ben Hannant backfired on Friday as the Cowboys belted the Broncos in Townsville.
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BRISBANE coach Anthony Griffin’s decision to axe Ben Hannant backfired on Friday night as the Cowboys had alarm bells ringing at Red Hill with a 27-14 victory in the Queensland derby.
Inspired by the talismanic Johnathan Thurston and fullback Michael Morgan, the Cowboys leapfrogged Brisbane into the top eight in a spirited clash before 21,340 fans in Townsville.
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But the post-match spotlight will focus on Griffin, whose tactical decision to dump Hannant and keep big-money buy Martin Kennedy in the starting side was badly exposed.
Already missing injured back-rower Sam Thaiday, the Broncos sorely craved Hannant’s energy and workrate off interchange.
Needing to lift, Kennedy was abysmal, producing just four hit-ups and 34 metres against rival Cowboys prop Matt Scott, who amassed a staggering 237 metres.
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On Friday night’s effort, Kennedy must be axed from the Broncos starting side to reinvigorate a Brisbane team that slumped to a fourth loss from their past five matches.
A Cowboys rout loomed when the home side surged to a 14-0 lead after 17 minutes.
The Broncos showed impressive resolve to bridge the deficit to 14-10 with 19 minutes to play, but when it mattered Thurston stepped up.
The Test playmaker put Ethan Lowe over in the 72nd minute before hooker Rory Kostjasyn delivered the coup de grace, dashing over 60 seconds from time.
The Broncos started the season driven by high emotion after being flogged in a pre-season trial in Auckland.
The doubting Thomases predicted another annus horribilis.
The Broncos needed no invitation to do what most NRL clubs do best: feed off the siege mentality. Prove the critics wrong. But emotion can only be a successful currency for so long.
Over the course of a campaign, class and structure will trump grit and guts.
And, with the representative season looming, the Broncos are reaching a point of the year where their true footballing capabilities will be tested.
For the second straight game, the Broncos were as flat as week-old soda.
Even allowing for the absence of Thaiday and Hannant, the Broncos were beaten to the punch from the outset by a Cowboys side looking to avenge their round-two loss at Suncorp Stadium.
Griffin must have felt like an extra on Groundhog Day in Townsville.
Fourteen days ago, the Broncos trailed 14-0 after 15 minutes against Souths at Suncorp. Last night, the Cowboys bolted to a 14-0 lead, with Matt Scott (10th) and Kane Linnett (17th) delivering a one-two jab as Brisbane called for the smelling salts.
Griffin must take equal doses of pleasure and frustration from his side’s past fortnight.
Brisbane’s insipid starts must be driving him mad but he would derive satisfaction from his side’s refusal to capitulate with their pride and attitude on the line.
Still, with a 4-5 win-loss record, Brisbane’s season is increasingly throwing up questions that must be swiftly answered.
One conundrum is Brisbane’s scrumbase. Halfback Ben Hunt has consistently been the side’s best player this season - he added two more tries last night - but the jury remains out on his halves partner Josh Hoffman.
And Griffin has yet to strike the right combination on his bench. Hulking prop David Hala tried hard before leaving the field in the 39th minute with a head knock but Brisbane’s rotation clearly missed Hannant’s work-rate and impact.
NORTH QUEENSLAND 27 (R Kostjasyn K Linnett E Lowe M Scott tries J Thurston 5 goals J Thurston field goal) bt BRISBANE 14 (B Hunt 2 D Copley tries C Parker goal) at 1300SMILES Stadium. Referee: Gerard Sutton, Gavin Reynolds. Crowd: 21,340.
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