Broncos player ratings: Tom Flegler is a future Maroons player

The stands were empty but the Broncos were full of fight against the Bunnies on Friday night, and one young gun in particular showed he has a date with Origin destiny. FULL RATINGS HERE.

No Lodge, no Pangai, no Glenn, no Ofahengaue – no worries.

That sort of list would decimate just about any other team but the Broncos big men were in fine form against the Rabbitohs on Friday night, including one young gun who has Origin written all over him.

Check out the full ratings here.

Jamayne Isaako gets a kiss on the head from teammate David Fifita. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

1. JAMAYNE ISAAKO

How good is he going? Jack Bird could not have done any better in the No.1 jumper. Quicksilver footwork and a constant menace from the back. His dummy and offload for Anthony Milford’s magical 40-metre try was a classic piece of fullback play injecting himself into the frontline. RATING: 8

2. COREY OATES

Not the start to the season he would have hoped for. Oates was quiet against the Cowboys last week and he was better last night without the barnstorming runs he delivers in his pomp. Suffered suspected rib cartilage damage two minutes from full-time, almost certainly ruling him out of this week’s Titans derby. RATING: 5

3. KOTONI STAGGS

Pick him for the NSW State of Origin side. There is no more dangerous attacking centre in the red zone. Give him a sniff and the terrier in him mauls rivals from close range. Opened the scoring before delivering a one-two punch after half-time to celebrate the first hat-trick of his career. Oozes X-factor. RATING: 9

Darius Boyd did his job against the Rabbitohs. Picture: Adam Head

4. DARIUS BOYD

Critics love bagging the retiring and maligned 32-year-old but Boyd did his job last night. Had a tough assignment marking James Roberts and earned a pass mark with 17 tackles and 61 metres in attack. RATING: 6

5. JESSE ARTHARS

Outstanding against the Cowboys last week but saw little action against the Bunnies. Ran for just 40 metres and made seven tackles as he watched his inside man Staggs carve up the Rabbitohs. Will line-up against the Titans club he walked out on this week. RATING: 5

6. ANTHONY MILFORD

What a shame there wasn’t a crowd of 35,000 to witness Milford’s sublime 40-metre solo try. Milford later described it as the best try of his career and it’s hard to disagree. He charged onto an Isaako pass, surged upfield, danced across field past four defenders, then straightened up to carry three defenders across the line. Magic. He is unshackled without the pressure of organising Brisbane’s attack and it’s paying dividends. RATING: 8.5

7. BRODIE CROFT

Lasted just 14 minutes before injuring his shoulder chasing a grubber kick into the Rabbitohs in-goal. But his early touches were classy. Threw a sweetly-timed out-ball for Staggs’ opening try and gave Brisbane some nice early shape. Hopefully he returns quickly. RATING: 4

Thomas Flegler runs through the Bunnies defence. Picture: Jono Searle/Getty Images

8. TOM FLEGLER

Somebody stop the Tully Terminator. Produced the best game of his fledgling Broncos career by belting the Bunnies engine room. No Matt Lodge, no worries. Flegler was the only forward with 100 metres at half-time and he finished with 159 metres, four offloads and 10 tackle busts. A future Origin player. RATING: 9

9. JAKE TURPIN

The best players are sometimes the ones you don’t notice and Turpin is getting the job done nicely at dummy-half. Some handy midfield incursions and has enough speed to get across the advantage line. Slick service and defence is never a problem for him. A dummy-half dream. RATING: 7

10. PAYNE HAAS

Haas is so bloody good it’s hard to appreciate the work he does. Overshadowed by Flegler but still produced a fine game with 147 metres and 29 tackles in a tireless display. Gorden Tallis says his DNA should be tested to check if he’s human. The Bunnies would agree after Haas pulverised them in midfield. RATING: 8

11. DAVID FIFITA

Can’t be expected to score 70-metre tries every week but will be satisfied with his contribution last night. Made some dangerous charges early in the game to suck the juice out of Souths’ defence. Nice output with 121 metres and 21 tackles. RATING: 7

12. JAMIL HOPOATE

Not the biggest forward in the game but at 96kg Hopoate punches above his weight. Took his chance in the absence of the suspended Tevita Pangai Jr and was busy with 29 tackles. Also threw a clever tap-on for Staggs’ hat-trick to sink the Bunnies. RATING: 7

13. PATRICK CARRIGAN

What a coach’s dream. Just gets through the tough stuff with a minimum of fuss, setting the platform for Brisbane’s glamour boys to shine. The co-captain racked 148 metres and barely raised a sweat as he recorded a team-best 34 tackles. Corey Parker was a Broncos ironman but Carrigan has found consistency at an earlier stage of his career. RATING: 7.5

14. HERBIE FARNWORTH

Enjoyed more game time last night after the Broncos lost Brodie Croft early and looks a real talent. Speed to burn and went close to scoring a superb try when he dashed for the line after half-time, only to be denied after his right foot nicked the sideline. Will likely start next week in the absence of Oates. RATING: 6

15. ANDREW McCULLOUGH

A handy option in times of an injury crisis. When Croft came off, McCullough slotted in seamlessly, able to play hooker or shuffle into the back row if required thanks to his work-rate and defensive toughness. Racked up 29 tackles and is showing great professionalism in his twilight years playing an interchange role for the club. RATING: 6.5

16. RHYS KENNEDY

Probably not in Brisbane’s 17 with a full strength squad but amid the injury toll the big bopper is holding his own. Some handy charges and would have loved beating his former club. RATING: 5

17. ETHAN BULLEMOR

What a way to celebrate his NRL debut. There were 52,500 empty seats at Suncorp but Bullemor wouldn’t have cared less when he ran onto the field late in the game. A talented prop with good leg speed who is sure to see more game time this season. RATING: 4