Five things we learned from Brisbane’s 26-22 win over Canberra

DAVID Fifita showed he could handle the big league in Brisbane’s 26-22 win over Canberra, while Anthony Milford’s performance was indicative of the Broncos’ biggest problem this season.

Anthony Milford of the Broncos scores a try during the Round 16 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Canberra Raiders at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Saturday, June 30, 2018. (AAP Image/Albert Perez) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

WHEN Anthony Milford is good he’s very good, more questions than answers for Brisbane and have we found a new option for Queensland’s bench?

Here’s five things we learned from Brisbane’s 26-22 win over Canberra.

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1) ANTHONY Milford needs to find consistency. When he is switched on, Brisbane look like a whole other team.

He is the reason they won, setting up two tries, playing a hand in a third and scoring the deciding four-pointer. But he also had a very poor first half.

If the Broncos are to become true top eight contenders, a lot of that responsibility lies on Milford’s shoulders.

He proved why he is one of the most highly-regarded players in the game. Now he needs to show it every week.

Milford was brilliant in the second half. AAP Image/Albert Perez.

2) MILFORD’S Jekyll and Hyde performance is indicative of the Broncos’ biggest problem this season.

While this comeback showed plenty of fight, they are yet to truly produce a strong 80 minute performance.

They were missing Tevita Pangai Jr and Joe Ofahengaue — and lost Jaydn Su’A to a concussion — but they still have the personnel to be one of the best teams in the competition.

3) SHOULD Kalyn Ponga not be fit for Origin III, Broncos winger Corey Oates has to be considered as a utility option.

He is consistently one of the state’s best players but cannot crack the 17.

He showed this again last night, beating three defenders to score Brisbane’s first try. It’s a dead rubber match so there is nothing to lose if Queensland want to try him off the bench.

Oates was one of Brisbane’s best yet again. AAP Image/Albert Perez.

4) DAVID Fifita became the first player born in the 2000s to play NRL. He has only played four Intrust Super Cup games this year, after starting his season in the under-18s Mal Meninga competition.

It’s been a fast rise to the top for the impressive teenager but he handled it with ease last night, playing for a stunning 47 minutes. He made a solid 77m and did well under pressure.

Fifita (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

5) FIFITA was not the only forward to impress, with Alex Glenn responding strongly to his benching this week.

While he eventually started after Pangai Jr was injured, he was one of Brisbane’s best.

He ran for 116m, made 20 tackles, two tackle busts and scored Brisbane’s second try of the night.

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