NRL 2021: Xavier Coates, Matt Lodge, John Asiata hurt in Brisbane Broncos loss
Brisbane are already without suspended prop Payne Haas and could be without more top-liners for the Round-2 grudge match with the Titans.
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Broncos coach Kevin Walters has described Brisbane’s injury toll as “grim”, with key trio Matt Lodge, John Asiata and Xavier Coates in grave doubt for Friday night’s derby against the Titans.
The Broncos showed great heart in their first game under the new Walters regime but Brisbane were ultimately crippled by a series of injury bodyblows in a nail-biting 24-16 loss to the Eels in the season opener at Suncorp Stadium.
Brisbane charged to a 16-0 lead but ultimately capitulated after the break as the loss of Lodge (hamstring), Asiata (shoulder) and Coates (neck) left the Broncos out on their feet with a depleted interchange bench.
The Broncos are already without suspended prop Payne Haas and could be without more top-liners for the Round-2 grudge match with the Titans at Cbus Super Stadium with Asiata and Coates taken to hospital.
“There are some concerns certainly for their welfare,” Walters said.
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“Xavier put his body on the line for a try (before injuring himself diving in the air). It’s a tough, physical sport and there were some concerns for both John and Xavier and their diagnosis is looking grim for them at the moment.
“We will look at Matt as well but he would be in doubt.”
While Walters was pleased with the courage of his side, the reality is the Broncos need to respond better when put under the pump by rival teams enjoying a momentum shift.
“We need to learn to play with adversity,” he said.
“Having three injured guys is not ideal. I was proud of the guys for hanging in there. We fought our way back into the game and there were a few opportunities we just didn’t grab.”
Star pivot Anthony Milford started brilliantly in the first half, having a hand in two tries, including a sublime cutout ball for Coates’ 32nd-minute try for a 16-0 lead.
“We had a really good start, a really positive start,” he said.
“I was really happy with the players’ input. But there was a 10-minute period where we lost our way a bit and Parra were good enough to finish us off.
“We have a lot of trust and faith in ‘Milf’ and he will get some confidence out of that game.
“I am looking at all the guys to stand up. The responsibility should never be on one man’s shoulders.
“I thought Brodie (Croft, Milford’s halfback partner) was good ... they will all be better for the run.”
MATCH REPORT: WALTERS’ DREAM DEBUT TURNS TO DISASTER
New Brisbane coach Kevin Walters’ dream debut turned to disaster as an injury crisis knocked the stuffing out of the Broncos in their crushing 24-16 loss to Parramatta in the season opener last night.
Before 28,313 at Suncorp Stadium, the Broncos inexplicably botched a 16-0 half-time lead, conceding 24 unanswered points as Walters was left to lament the loss of key trio Matt Lodge, Xavier Coates and John Asiata.
Coates (neck) and Asiata (shoulder) were taken to hospital for scans, while Lodge lasted just 20 minutes before succumbing to a hamstring injury which ripped the guts out of Brisbane’s midfield.
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The Broncos looked to have celebrated a bold, bright ‘Kev-olution’ when tries to David Mead and a double to Coates sensationally propelled Brisbane to a 16-point lead at the break.
But the same old narrative haunted the Broncos after the break. Their second-half siestas returned again with the reigning wooden-spooners simply out on their feet with just one man on the bench as Parramatta powered home to prise open old Broncos wounds.
Trailing 16-0, the Eels came alive in the second stanza, tearing tired Brisbane apart in midfield before Junior Paulo crashed over in the final minute to plunge the dagger into Walters’ troops.
SIXES AND SEVENS
The jury remains out on Brisbane’s halves Anthony Milford and Brodie Croft.
In the space of 40 minutes, one of the most scrutinised scrumbase combinations in the NRL went from sublime to sloppy in yet another sign Brisbane’s playmakers struggle to turn the screws when it counts.
Milford had an excellent first half, setting up two tries, including a sublime cut-out for Xavier Coates’ 32nd minute try, while Croft was confident as they propelled the Broncos to a stunning 16-0 half-time lead.
But in the second half, Milford and Croft faded out of the game. They need to deliver more direction.
DEFENSIVE DISASTER
Walters made a promise in pre-season: he would fix Brisbane’s paper-thin defence after they leaked a whopping 624 points.
For 40 minutes, the Broncos tackled like demons. Then came the familiar script, the Broncos capitulating in the second half as their defence fell apart the minute the Eels applied some pressure.
They say attitude is defence but it goes beyond that for the Broncos. It’s not just technical. Their problems without the ball are worryingly mental.
As soon as the Eels began to generate momentum, the Broncos lost all confidence in their defensive systems as Parramatta overturned a 16-0 half-time deficit.
LEADERSHIP VOID
Brisbane’s lack of leadership is palpable. Whenever the Broncos suffer a momentum shift, they are bereft of a Darren Lockyer-style senior player to steady the ship and ensure the side holds its nerve.
The Broncos lost all authority in midfield when Lodge hobbled off in the 20th minute. Parramatta feasted on Brisbane’s inexperience, enjoying more than 30 tackles in the opposition half in the second stanza.
The Broncos looked buggered in the final 20 minutes. If they want to handle the greater speed of the game, they need to get fitter.
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