Dragons v Broncos: Five things we learned

BRISBANE’S halves came up short, Matt Lodge had a mixed game and former Bronco Ben Hunt showed his class. Five things we learned:

Anthony Milford had a forgettable game for the Broncos on Thursday night.

FIVE THINGS

1. Queensland police should send out a search party for Brisbane’s halves. Anthony Milford and Kodi Nikorima were barely sighted. Nikorima was emphatically outpointed by Ben Hunt, while Milford’s game management was woeful. As Brisbane’s $1 million man, Milford needs to cut the errors out of his game and give Brisbane’s attack some fluency.

2. Matt Lodge had a rollercoaster start to his Broncos career. No player has endured an off-field firestorm like Lodge and the 22-year-old endured more pain on the field. His first half was solid but disaster struck after the break with his intercept pass for Hunt. Still, he tried hard and topped Brisbane’s metre count with 107 from 14 runs.

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Anthony Milford had a forgettable game for the Broncos on Thursday night.

3. Brisbane’s forward pack as a collective were monstered. Lodge was the only Broncos forward to reach 100m as the Dragons belted their rivals in midfield. The Dragons ran for 1385 metres compared to Brisbane’s dismal 892.

4. Former Bronco Hunt proved he can be the Dragons’ main man this season. Hunt is under enormous pressure to succeed by virtue of his $6 million contract, but the Maroons ace stepped up to the plate last night. His kicking game was better and he played with confidence, sealing a fine game with his match-winning intercept try.

5. James Roberts was one ray of hope on a night to forget for Brisbane. The Jet picked up where he left off last season, scoring two tries with his blistering to send an early statement to NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler.