NRL Round 6 2024: Player ratings for Brisbane Broncos’ win over Dolphins

Reece Walsh made a triumphant return as the Broncos claimed victory over the Dolphins. But who starred and who struggled in the Battle for Brisbane? See our full player ratings.

Player ratings from the Battle for Brisbane.

Reece Walsh made a triumphant return from injury as the Broncos claimed victory over their cross-town rivals, the Dolphins. But who starred and who struggled in the Battle for Brisbane? See TRAVIS MEYN and PETER BADEL’s full player ratings below.

Player ratings: Who starred and who struggled in the Battle for Brisbane.

BRONCOS

1. Reece Walsh – Looked like he had cabin fever after missing two games and made four errors. Scored a long-range try but needs to calm down and not attempt to create a try every touch. RATING: 6

2. Corey Oates – A first half to forget. Dropped multiple bombs, missed a chance to open scoring and copped a spray from Carrigan. Got on the board in the second half and redeemed himself. RATING: 5

3. Kotoni Staggs – Didn’t create anything for the highlights reel like the first derby but was very busy taking the tough carries, finishing with 16 runs for 133m. RATING: 7

4. Selwyn Cobbo – Broke his try-scoring duck for the season with a fortunate double and should get some confidence after busting six tackles and running 177m. RATING: 8

5. Jesse Arthars – Went within a whisker of scoring a remarkable try in the opening exchanges but was quiet after that. RATING: 5

6. Ezra Mam – Has looked better by the week since the Las Vegas racism controversy and his passing game exposed the Dolphins all night. Got an early shower after tweaking an ankle. RATING: 7

7. Jock Madden – Shocking kick out on the full put the Broncos under pressure early. Ran the ball seven times but never really threatened. RATING: 5

8. Corey Jensen – As reliable as a Toyota Corolla. Did his job, especially in the first half arm wrestle, and finished with 84m and 32 tackles. RATING: 6

9. Billy Walters – Was scheming out of dummy-half and sliced the Dolphins apart with one excellent run. RATING: 6

10. Fletcher Baker – Didn’t do a lot wrong. Made 23 tackles without missing one. RATING: 5

11. Jaiyden Hunt – Somehow bombed a try when he was over the line and only made three runs. RATING: 4

12. Jordan Riki – Bravely carried an ankle injury into the game and did enough, making 10 runs and 30 tackles. RATING: 6

13. Pat Carrigan – Big performance from the stand-in skipper, topping Brisbane’s tackle count (39) and charging for 123m. RATING: 8

14. Tyson Smoothy – Made 26 tackles off bench without missing one. Rarely lets the team down. RATING: 6

15. Xavier Willison – Size and strength was too much for the Dolphins to handle when he scored Brisbane’s first try in what was his best NRL performance, finishing with 16 carries for 130m. RATING: 8

16. Kobe Hetherington – Tackled his heart out off the bench, registering 30, and chimed in with eight runs. RATING: 6

17. Tristan Sailor – Replaced Mam with 16 minutes to go and didn’t get many opportunities. NO RATING

TOTAL: 98

DOLPHINS

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – Looked ominous early before tearing a hamstring on a dead play which forced him off the field after 25 minutes. The Dolphins had no chance after he limped off. RATING: 4

2. Jamayne Isaako – Nearly booted a two-point field goal attempt out of the stadium. But it missed. Scored a nice try late. RATING: 6

3. Jake Averillo – The Dolphins needed a bit more from their strike centre given Herbie Farnworth was missing. Had a quiet night. RATING: 4

4. Tesi Niu – Had the most first half runs with 10 carries and did his best against a rampant Broncos backline. RATING: 5

5. Jack Bostock – Should learn a lot from the biggest game of his young NRL career. Finished with 17 runs for 121m and scored a great try late. RATING: 6

6. Kodi Nikorima – Looked sharp before having to go to fullback to cover for the injured ‘Hammer’ where he produced a brilliant try-saver on Jaiyden Hunt. Dropped a bomb that allowed the Broncos to score and hurt his calf late. RATING: 5

7. Isaiya Katoa – Quietest game of the year for the emerging halfback. Didn’t make any mistakes but should have taken more control, especially once Tabuai-Fidow left the field. RATING: 5

8. Jesse Bromwich – Copped an elbow to the jaw from Fletcher Baker but soldiered one for 90m in a beaten pack. RATING: 5

9. Jeremy Marshall-King – Always a threat at dummy-half but made some uncharacteristic errors. RATING: 5

16. Mark Nicholls – Promoted to the starting side in place of the injured Tom Flegler and produced an admirable 18 runs for 132m – the most of any Dolphins player. RATING: 7

11. Kenny Bromwich – Burst through the line at one point and busted four tackles. RATING: 6

12. Euan Aitken – Toiled away all night and topped the tackle count for the Dolphins with 38. RATING: 6

13. Ray Stone – Never stops trying but was no match for the class of Carrigan. RATING: 5

14. Josh Kerr – Short stint off the bench with 49m and 12 tackles. RATING: 4

15. Anthony Milford – First NRL game of the year against his former club. Found himself on report for giving Reece Walsh an old-fashioned rib tickler then spilt a ball for Cobbo to score. Looked off the pace. RATING: 3

17. Jarrod Wallace – Somehow scored the first try just minutes after getting on the field and finished with 11 carries for 101m. RATING: 6

22. Lachlan Hubner – Big stage to make your NRL debut. Made eight carries and a knock-on. RATING: 5

TOTAL: 87