Broncos v Raiders: Five things we learned

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED: Brisbane’s halfback experiment must be abandoned, Benji Marshall’s got his mojo back and more.

Broncos forward Matt Gillett is wrapped up by the Raiders defence.

THE Broncos bravely overcame the pre-game loss of skipper Darius Boyd to win a thriller over the Raiders at a freezing GIO Stadium.

Here’s five things we learned form their 30-20 triumph.

1. Wayne Bennett has to abandon his halfback experiment with Kodi Nikorima. For the second straight week, Brisbane’s attacking shape was shambolic and disorganised with the utility at halfback and he was replaced in the 34th minute. In the second half, Ben Hunt was brilliant. He kicked superbly, set up Matt Gillett’s first try and finally showed faith in his running game.

2. Benji Marshall has got his mojo back. He may be 32 but without Marshall, the Broncos would have been beaten. He brought composure to Brisbane’s nerve centre, having a hand in three of Brisbane’s five tries. His short ball for Alex Glenn’s 22nd minute try was simply magical.

3. Matt Gillett has claims to being the best back-rower in the code. Backing up from Origin II, the Maroons ace was outstanding, staying alive in cover and making a number of crucial one-on-one tackles. It was fitting Gillett should crash over in the 50th minute — it represented his 50th try in the NRL. He iced a magnificent game with the matchwinner in the dying minutes.

Broncos forward Matt Gillett is wrapped up by the Raiders defence.

4. Boom Broncos prop Joe Ofahengaue is playing with confidence again. The 21-year-old lost his way last season and was dropped by Wayne Bennett to the Intrust Super Cup, but Ofahengaue is running with more conviction. He was superb off the bench, amassing 118 metres and three tackle busts and capped a fine game when he crashed over for a try in the 58th minute.

5. The NRL Bunker should be used more to adjudicate on lineball decisions. Andrew McCullough’s 43rd minute clearing kick clearly landed on the touchline and should have been ruled out on the full. Instead, the touch judge missed it. If the NRL is going to spend millions on the technology, use it to get the right decision.