Brisbane Broncos player ratings v Newcastle: Anthony Milford, Brodie Croft, Pat Carrigan didn’t even make five
For the fourth consecutive Thursday night the Broncos were found wanting. Changes are surely coming, especially as one rather unflattering number featured prominently in the player ratings.
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After showing signs of improvement against Manly last week, Brisbane again lapsed into their negative post-lockdown ways in a heavy defeat to the Newcastle Knights.
The Broncos were ineffective in attack and were forced to get through a power of defensive work, which eventually took its toll.
Here are the player ratings.
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1 Jamayne Isaako – 5
Played rugby as a junior and it showed when he cost the Broncos a try with an illegal play before being sin binned shortly after. Got through a mountain of work but his impact is non-existent.
2 Corey Oates – 5
Denied his first try of the season by The Bunker after Isaako got involved. Racked up 111m but that was about it.
3 Herbie Farnworth – 5
A handy player to have at the club but doesn’t do anything particularly well and seems to be just filling a jersey.
4 Darius Boyd – 5
Made 22 tackles and seems to be trying hard but doesn’t offer much at centre and looks like he is just playing out his days. Made a couple of errors.
5 Xavier Coates – 7
His 95m intercept try saved the Broncos from being held to zero and finished the game with 191m. A rare shining light for Brisbane in past fortnight.
6 Anthony Milford – 3
Has surely run out of chances. His forwards aren’t laying much of a platform but Milford has looked disinterested. Made one run in the first half and finished with four runs for 9m. Andrew Johns says it’s time to drop him.
7 Brodie Croft – 4
Trying harder than Milford but their combination is non-existent and Croft is making too many poor plays. If Milford isn’t dropped then Croft is in line to be replaced by Tom Dearden.
8 Matt Lodge – 5
Looks completely off the pace after returning from a knee injury. The game appears to be too fast for the big prop and he needs to find a way to compete. Toiled hard defensively with 31 tackles to make up for poor attacking return (10 runs for 66m).
18 Issac Luke – 5
Decent Broncos debut for the New Zealand legend. Punched out nearly 50 minutes starting but he isn’t going to solve Brisbane’s woes.
10 Payne Haas – 7
Made 49 tackles which is cruelling his usual incredible attacking output. Only managed 83m with the ball which is a concerning trend for the Broncos.
11 Alex Glenn – 5
The captain didn’t have the impact he would have been hoping for in his return from injury. Made 32 tackles in a decent defensive dig.
12 Tevita Pangai – 7
Tried to spark the Broncos with some big hits and powerful runs. Was a bit rusty following his long suspension but at least he attempted to do something.
13 Pat Carrigan – 3
Ran for 89m and made 35 tackles but his late shot on Mitchell Pearce was disgusting and he should be suspended. Disappointing play from a future captain.
9 Cory Paix – 5
Spent the first 48 minutes of the match on the bench waiting to replace Luke. Better suited to coming off the pine rather than starting.
15 Ben Te’o – 4
Had more impact in his second game for the club with five runs but he isn’t going to set the world on fire at 33.
16 Joe Ofahengaue – 4
Has played State of Origin but is little more than a run of the mill bench prop at the moment. Broncos might be better off looking to the future.
17 Tom Flegler – 5
Was tremendous in the opening rounds of the season but is now coming off the bench with little impact. Made 24 tackles at least.
Originally published as Brisbane Broncos player ratings v Newcastle: Anthony Milford, Brodie Croft, Pat Carrigan didn’t even make five