Manly 20 Broncos 18: Brisbane race out to early lead but can’t hold off fast finishing Sea Eagles

After being savaged from all corners of the rugby league world following last week’s record defeat, the Brisbane Broncos took a massive step in the right direction by nearly toppling Manly.

GOSFORD, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 11: Xavier Coates of the Broncos is tackled during the round five NRL match between the Manly Sea Eagles and the Brisbane Broncos at Central Coast Stadium on June 11, 2020 in Gosford, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

• Broncos star caught up in catfish drama
• 11 greatest talents to never wear a Broncos jersey

The Broncos went within a whisker of a boilover win against Manly a week after suffering the biggest loss in the club’s 32-year history.

The Broncos were savaged from all corners of the rugby league world after last week’s record 59-0 defeat to the Sydney Roosters.

Club legends Gorden Tallis, Steve Renouf and Kevin Walters tore them to shreds.

Get your NRL fix on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Xavier Coates had a cracking game on the wing.

The players’ desire was questioned. The club’s recruitment and roster management was scrutinised. The Broncos’ leadership was slammed.

Coach Anthony Seibold wore the brunt of the criticism after overseeing the Broncos’ two biggest losses in their 32-year history in the space of five matches.

One of Seibold’s favourite phrases is that he wants to make “marginal gains” and this was exactly that.

While the Broncos ultimately fell 20-18 after leading Manly 18-0, this was a step in the right direction.

The coach hit out at those critics after the match, saying “they aren’t on board with us”.

“People who make comments aren’t inside our building,” he said.

Ben Te’o made a successful return to the NRL after along stint in rugby.

“It (the criticism) is going to be there regardless. It doesn’t impact how we train and play. We’re not trying to silence any critics, we’re trying to get better as a group.

“The people who criticise us ... they aren’t on board with us, if you spend your time trying to please other people you will be disappointed.”

Seibold had every right to be thrilled with Brisbane’s first half. The Broncos started with better intensity than Manly and they looked to be coasting to victory when Darius Boyd crossed in the 30th minute for an 18-4 half-time lead.

But the Broncos’ second half was a train wreck. They had just 37 per cent of possession and enjoyed 11 fewer sets than Manly, who duly dictated field position.

Seibold also questioned the stripping penalty which allowed Reuben Garrick to slot the 71st minute penalty which broke an 18-all deadlock.

“I didn’t think it was a penalty, but they got the two points,” he said.

Payne Haas was excellent in the opening exchanges.

It is unfair to expect a team as inexperienced as the Broncos to produce seamless football for 80 minutes every week.

They will have ups and downs, but the Roosters performance was unacceptable for a team in the NRL.

All Broncos fans can hope for every week is to see effort, enthusiasm and spirit. That will give a team with this much talent a chance of competing with most teams.

For the opening 40 minutes that is what the Broncos produced. Unfortunately, they couldn’t sustain it.

Errors crept into their game and so did poor decision making. When the Broncos needed a calm head to steady the ship there was no one willing to step up.

Halves Brodie Croft and Anthony Milford did not take enough ownership of the team and young gun Tom Dearden will come into the selection frame next week.

Brodie Croft struggled to impose his influence on the game.

Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans gave the Broncos a lesson in how to control a contest as he guided his team to a comeback victory.

The Broncos showed there is life at Red Hill and the 2020 premiership will be a rollercoaster of ups and downs.

They just need to ensure there are no more debacles like the Roosters drubbings to ensure the club remains on the right trajectory.

FIVE THINGS

1/ The Broncos lack experience to be a consistent team. They are capable of playing some exciting and energetic football but don’t have the runs on the board to control a game for 80 minutes. That isn’t going to change until the team becomes more experienced and that takes time.

2/ Broncos coach Anthony Seibold may have to pull the trigger on his halves pairing and inject young gun Tom Dearden. Halfback Brodie Croft is still yet to cement Brisbane’s No. 7 jersey. Croft had a horrible start when his first kick sailed out on the full and struggled to take control. Five-eighth Anthony Milford just doesn’t take on enough responsibility and only ran the ball five times.

3/ The Broncos have unearthed the next Greg Inglis in freakishly talented winger Xavier Coates. “A lot of players get compared to Greg Inglis but Xavier Coates, my god he is a clone,” said NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler after Coates soared over rival winger Tevita Funa to score. Coates is a star on the rise.

Darius Boyd played his best game since the competition returned.

4/ Broncos veteran Darius Boyd took a step towards silencing his critics with an encouraging performance. Boyd scored his first try of the season, was denied a second by The Bunker and contained dangerous Manly centre Moses Suli. The Broncos’ left-edge defence is still a worry and Boyd will have to improve to remain in the team.

5/ The Broncos would kill to have Daly Cherry-Evans at their club. The Manly halfback took control when the game was on the line and guided his team to victory. Cherry-Evans oozes class and composure, something the Broncos are badly missing.