Broncos v Dragons player ratings: Who starred, who struggled?

THE Dragons live to fight another day after a stunning finals upset while it’s season over for the Broncos — check out who starred and who struggled at Suncorp Stadium.

Ben Hunt looks to get an offload away for the Dragons against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: AAP

THE Dragons live to fight another day after a stunning finals upset while it’s season over for the Broncos — check out who starred and who struggled in our player ratings.

BRONCOS

Darius Boyd: Should not have been isolated in tryline defence against a prop for the second Dragons try, but it’s symptomatic of his side’s defensive weaknesses. Scored when he ran at Gareth Widdop to bring the margin back to 20 points. Rating: 7

Corey Oates: Played under an injury cloud and ran the ball only three times in the first half. He knocked on a clearing kick right on halftime and looked uncertain. Rating: 5.

James Roberts: Deft catch and tackle bust and balanced five tackle busts with a missed tackle which conceded a try. Rating: 5.5

Jordan Kahu: Tried hard and was one Bronco who was not culpable in defence. Rating: 6

Jamayne Isaako: Great pick-up of a rolling grubber but on a second turned the ball over when close by the sideline. His two missed conversion shots in the second half denied his side extra hope. Rating: 5.5

Anthony Milford: Generally kicked well, but unable to otherwise provide structure. Both Broncos halves missed three tackles by half-time and Milford also turned the ball over when hard on attack. Rating: 5

Kodi Nikorima: Mixed day even before Brisbane had to start chasing the game. Produced a line break for the first try and had four other tackle busts. Bad read on first Dragons try and a poor grubber option on a second tackle when hard on attack. Rating: 6.5

Kodi Nikorima had a mixed day for the Broncos. Picture: Getty Images

Joe Ofahengaue: Suffered a head knock in the sixth minute when tackling Jack de Belin. No rating

Andrew McCullough: Coughed the ball up to concede field position for the first try conceded. Topped the tackle count with 38. Rating: 6.5

Sam Thaiday: Made 51m from his five runs before being rested. Lost the ball when tackled soon after his reintroduction. Rating: 6

David Fifita: Was one of his side’s best runners, with 101m and four tackle busts, and best defenders, but his ankle injury 22 minutes from time deflated the Broncos. Showed speed to run the last 30m of the game’s first try. Rating: 7.5

Tevita Pangai Jnr: Made 60m from his eight first-half runs but unable to impose himself in defence. Rating: 6

Josh McGuire: Found it hard to work himself into the first half, making 36m from six runs. Good try saver on Jeremy Latimore, but missed six tackles. Rating: 5.5

Josh McGuire couldn’t get into the game for the Broncos. Picture: AAP

Interchange

Matt Lodge: Entered the fray earlier than planned after six minutes and had an average day, with 80 run metres. Lost discipline when the game was gone by selfishly going high on Dragon Blake Lawrie. Rating: 6

Patrick Mago: Didn’t play in the first half, but ran 61m in six carries. Rating: 6

Korbin Sims: Missed his brother Tariq in a tryline tackle, a body shot which was unable to stop Tariq’s third first-half try. Earlier, he was not put on report despite a tip tackle on Latimore. Rating: 4.5

Kotoni Staggs: Energetic again, making 91m from five runs. Rating: 6

DRAGONS

Matt Dufty: Was safe against kicks after supposedly being in danger of being dropped so Widdop could play fullback. Created the crucial first try after half-time with a searching run and pass from the scrumbase and finished off with a try on the bell. Rating: 6.5

Nene Macdonald: Former Titan was strong in his hit-ups as ever, making 108m including three tackle busts. Rating: 7

Zac Lomax: Good footwork when held up over the line in the second half’s first drama and looks the goods. Rating: 7

Tim Lafai: Beat an uncertain Roberts for the first try of the second half and was busy with 120 run metres. Rating: 7.5

Jordan Pereira: Should have scored the first try but stepped on the sideline. Did nothing wrong later. Rating: 6.5

Gareth Widdop: Popped a shoulder to leave his side with 14 players and in grave doubt for week two. Found a clever pass for his team’s third try in his first match in three weeks and kicked intelligently to support his halfback. Rating: 7.5

Ben Hunt: Most of his instinct plays bore some fruit and bossed the game after Widdop’s departure, kicking well. His two offloads also gave his side some key second-phase play. Rating: 8

Ben Hunt stepped up for the Dragons when Gareth Widdop was injured. Picture: AAP

James Graham: Lasted 24 minutes after concussed by the forearm of Korbin Sims. No rating

Cameron McInnes: Busy dummy-half who topped his team’s tackle count with 31. Also grubbered for the match-sealing try 11 minutes from time. Rating: 8

Leeson Ah Mau: Barged over for the second Dragons try after big hit-ups by Tyson Frizell and de Belin. Made 146m in 14 carries. Rating: 8.5

Tyson Frizell: Leading metre maker to half-time with 83m from six runs. Rating: 7.5

Tariq Sims: Three-try first half and had seven tackle busts by the break. Quieter after then, but found time to suggest to Pangai he look at the scoreboard. Started and finished the Dragons’ first try, jolting the ball loose from McCullough. Rating: 8.5

Tariq Sims celebrates a try for the Dragons. Picture: Getty Images

Jack de Belin: Typically involved in his return from an ankle injury, but was replaced after 51 minutes and is in doubt for Saturday. Only blemish was when beaten for pace by Nikorima in Brisbane’s first try when given too much to do by a teammate. Rating: 7.5

Interchange

Jeremy Latimore: He and Blake Lawrie were effective from the bench in the first half. Kept the Dragons’ momentum oing with 114m from 13 runs. Rating: 7

Kurt Mann: Shortly after a second-half injection, he injured Fifita’s ankle in a tackle. Made six tackle breaks. Rating: 7

Blake Lawrie: Jolted the ball loose from Milford when Brisbane, 10 points behind, pressed. Gained 129m. Rating: 7.5

Luciano Leilua: Busy game with 51 run metres and followed through a grubber to put the Dragons 36-18 up. Rating 6.5.