Broncos v Cowboys: Five things we learned from the Queensland derby

THE Cowboys had a shocker, Parker was close to perfect and the Broncos young bloods finally showed their class.

Broncos Corey Parker runs for his second try. The Brisbane Broncos vs the North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium. Pic Peter Wallis

THE Cowboys had a shocker, Parker was close to perfect and the Broncos young bloods finally showed their class — five things we learned last night.

1 What’s left in Townsville for team changes for the round 4 clash with Melbourne? The Cowboys faced a Broncos team who had scored just three tries in two games and conceded six tries in the first half due to an embarrassing total of 20 missed tackles.

2 The sternest questions have to be asked of a Cowboys forward pack with four internationals. The Cowboys middle defenders rarely bent back Brisbane runners.

3 For Brisbane, there was important growth from two young “spine’’ players. Anthony Milford was lively on his feet, running for 83m in the first half alone. Jordan Kahu steadied himself after a handling error to make a crucial bomb catch and lay on two tries.

4 North Queensland’s left-side outside defence _ Johnathan Thurston (six missed tackles), Kane Linnett and Kyle Feldt _ was exposed. Four Brisbane tries were scored wide on that flank and the eyes of kids should have been shielded from the one where Justin Hodges trotted through.

5 It was a shame that this was not Corey Parker’s 300th game rather than Brisbane’s round 1 hammering by Souths. He smashed through the 200m barrier in a rousing hand and he ran for 127m in the first half.