Broncos defeat Panthers in crucial match but Jake Turpin faces ban

Brisbane’s march to the finals has rolled on at Suncorp Stadium as Payne Haas put on a clinic to devastate his Penrith opponents. Check out the highlights here.

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Who needs great halves when you have Haas?

The Broncos charged into the finals equation after front-row sensation Payne Haas produced a barnstorming 43-metre solo try to stun the Panthers 24-12 at Suncorp Stadium.

In a finals-style slugfest before 23,643 fans, the Broncos and Panthers traded blows like desperate pugilists before 120kg heavyweight Haas stormed into the action to deliver the knockout punch.

Jamayne Isaako starts to celebrate as he scores a try. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

With Brisbane under siege and clinging to an 18-12 lead with six minutes to play, Haas stepped up to send Penrith to the canvas.

The 19-year-old NSW Origin star took the ball near halfway, pushed off three defenders, stormed upfield, then kicked out of a last-ditch attempt from fullback Dylan Edwards to deliver the bullet to the Panthers.

It was one of the greatest solo tries ever scored by a front-rower. Former Storm champion fullback Billy Slater would have been happy to score it.

Throw in 195 metres, nine tackle busts and superb cover defence, and Haas is arguably the best prop in the code ... as a teenager.

“It was a great try,” Broncos coach Anthony Seibold said. “In the context of the game, to break the game open and seal the win, it was an incredible try.

“Payne is very gifted ... it was great to see him in full flight.”

It was another gutsy display by the Broncos, who leapfrogged Penrith into seventh spot on 23 competition points – setting up a mouth-watering grudge-match with Wayne Bennett’s Rabbitohs this Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.

But amid Haas’ heroics, two Broncos could have cases to answer with the NRL match-review committee. Halfback Jake Turpin was sin-binned for a swinging arm on Edwards in the eighth-minute and may yet be charged, while Anthony Milford could come under scrutiny for a first-half trip on Nathan Cleary.

Jake Turpin gets his marching orders. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

Brisbane’s halves pairing Darius Boyd and Jake Turpin have come under fire but they have now five of seven games. With hulks like Haas, Matt Lodge and Tevita Pangai Jr smashing through the midfield, the Broncos will give Souths headaches.

The Broncos thoroughly deserved this win. Penrith tried to play like the Harlem Globetrotters.

The Broncos played smarter and with more intent, their forwards setting up an 8-6 half-time lead before a Jamayne Isaako second-half double left Penrith floundering at 18-6.

The Panthers came charging home in the final quarter and had hope when Brian To’o crossed in the 57th minute for 18-12, but Haas ended the resistance with a brutal midfield run.

“We were pretty dominant, I was really pleased,” Seibold said.

Payne Haas looks to break through the Reagan Campbell-Gillard tackle. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

“We ran with plenty of intent and there was a lot of purpose to what we did. We threw some good shapes at them, that was a big step in the right direction.”

The second half was a high-octane battle of wills. The Panthers came storming home. Brisbane defended like demons. With the game screaming for a match-winner, Haas, as fit as an Ironman, put his hand up to be the hero.

Broncos 24 (Tries: Jamayne Isaako 2, Payne Haas, Kotoni Staggs. Goals: Jamayne Isaako 4/5) d Panthers 12 (Tries: Nathan Cleary, Brian To’o. Goals: Nathan Cleary 2/2)