Player ratings: Milford and Darius bounce back in style for Broncos
Milf got his mojo back and Darius re-discovered his dash as Brisbane eventually put a battered and bruised Manly to the sword at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
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Milf got his mojo back and Darius re-discovered his dash as Brisbane eventually put a battered and bruised Manly to the sword at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
The Sea Eagles had more casualties than a double episode of “MASH” before kick-off and only lost more troops during the match to the point where coach Des Hasler will have to pull on the boots next week.
But Brisbane still had to fight hard to put the dogged and increasingly under-manned Manly away and it was their big guns who fired when it mattered after an early arm-wrestle.
Finally.
Anthony Milford and Darius Boyd had been shooting blanks for most of 2019.
Their performances last night do not change what transpired in the first eight rounds when they were well below their best more often than not.
But the high-priced playmakers along with livewire hooker Jake Turpin and a rampaging pack conjured something for Magic Round when the Broncos pulled a precious two points out of their hat.
1. DARIUS BOYD – 7.5
Had his face plastered on “Missing” posters before the game. Harsh but fair. However, he really showed up in the first half with telling repeat defensive efforts and plenty of talk to inspire his troops. His body language was much better too. In the second half scored a try and threw a beautiful long pass for a Corey Oates try. Still some defensive concerns though. Missed a one-on-one tackle late for Manly’s second try. A bad read at marker allowed the Sea Eagles to score their first four-pointer.
2. COREY OATES - 7
Scored his 50th try at Suncorp Stadium from Boyd’s pinpoint pass under pressure and looked dangerous when he lurked with intent in-field. Kept errors to a minimum and finished with a gazelle-like 219 running metres.
3. KOTONI STAGGS – 7
Brisbane’s best early with some strong defence and some damaging runs. Did more than enough to keep his place in the side for another week. If ‘Jimmy the Jet’ takes off for good, Brisbane shouldn’t be too disappointed because he is a keeper.
4. JACK BIRD - 6
Suffered a suspected ACL injury. Shocking luck for Bird and the Broncos given he has been OK in the centres this year. Was strong again with 73 running metres, two tackle breaks, an offload and a linebreak assist. The injury allows Roberts to come straight back into the NRL side as long as he stays away from house parties and mobile phones.
5. GEHAMAT SHIBASAKI - 5
Mixed night. Turned over the ball to put Manly deep in attack early and was exposed defensively. Dropped another pass cold when the Broncos had momentum. Still had 132 running metres and three tackle breaks.
6. ANTHONY MILFORD – 9
Two big right-foot steps gave him a try late in the first half and a truckload of confidence. It’s amazing how different a player he looks when he runs the footy. Had two try assists for Gillett and Boyd with perfectly placed grubber kicks. Towering bombs and a 40-20 completed a fine kicking game (458 metres gained) with five tackle breaks from his darting runs. Top shelf stuff sparked by his best asset – his running game. Run Milf, run!
7. TOM DEARDEN – 6.5
In the top two games of his career. Easily. Did not overplay his hand with Milf on fire in a nice sign of maturity. A couple of dangerous darting runs and well-placed kicks in another solid display. Missed four tackles but will always be targeted by opposition ball-runners while he looks like he should be getting an award at a school assembly.
8. MATTHEW LODGE - 7
Stood tall in the early grind with 79 running metres from seven hit-ups. His second stint made that look pedestrian as he bashed and barged his way to 190 metres for the match, breaking three tackles along the way. Brisbane need him to do that more often.
9. JAKE TURPIN – 7.5
Got a massive vote of confidence from the club on gameday when they signed fellow hooker James Segeyaro… but responded brilliantly. A lively display out of dummy-half that created time and space for his halves and forward runners. Threw in 28 tackles in an eye-catching effort in just his third NRL outing.
10. PAYNE HAAS - 8
You’d hate to have to pay for his grocery bill. And the big unit was a massive metre-eater in the middle of the park .A whopping 236 running metres, 28 tackles and six tackle breaks in his best game as a Bronco.
11. ALEX GLENN – 6.5
Found some space down the left edge in attack in a solid display. Two linebreaks, 89 metres and 24 tackles for the ultra-consistent backrower.
12. MATT GILLETT – 6.5
Had a quiet start in attack with three hit-ups in the first half to go with 15 tackles but came into the game the longer it went for 89 metres and 25 tackles. Bobbed up in the right place at the right time for a try after halftime. Missed an uncharacteristic four tackles.
13. TOM FLEGLER - 5
Not a heap of gametime but made 23 tackles.
14. PATRICK CARRIGAN - 6
Thrown into the fray a lot earlier than last week against the Bunnies and enjoyed his time not riding the pine. Didn’t need to do a lot of tackling but 118 metres from 10 hit-ups tells you he has a red-hot crack and takes some stopping
15. DAVID FIFITA - 5
Didn’t get a lot of opportunities but crossed the white stripe late. Has lost the tape around the head in a major disappointment to old school rugby league fashionistas.
16. TEVITA PANGAI JNR - 6
Injected into the contest after 25 minutes after being relegated to the bench. His night finished early with worrying lower back spasms given his hamstring history. Four offloads to go with 84 running metres. Still a long way short of what you expect from a $1 million man as clubs supposedly circle him. If they get to seven figures, they are paying overs.
17. JOE OFAHENGAUE - 8
Joe was smokin’ off the bench. Had 90 running metres by halftime. Finished with 199 running metres from 19 hit-ups to go with 19 tackles. Best Broncos bench forward again. Wouldn’t let Queensland down at Origin level. He’s ready.
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