Five things we learned: Brisbane Broncos v Newcastle Knights

THE Broncos need some mongrel, their kicking lacks polish but James Roberts proved why he is a signing priority — five things we learned from Brisbane’s win over the Knights.

Five things we learned: Broncos v Knights.

The Broncos have bounced back with a 34-22 win over the Knights to stay in touch with the top four.

Here are the five things we learned:

1. The Broncos have to get some mongrel in their front-row if they want to win the premiership. Big guns like Melbourne and Cronulla have forwards who easily punch out 150 metres a game. In the first half, Brisbane’s starting props Adam Blair and Korbin Sims made just 84 metres between them. Lowly Newcastle dominated the ruck for 40 minutes. Forwards win big games. Sims lifted in the second half when he barged over but if the Broncos want to make waves in the finals, they need more consistency from their big boppers.

MATCH REPORT: Brisbane come from behind to beat Knights

Adam Blair is tackled by Joe Wardle.

2. Brisbane still need more polish on their kicking game. Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford gifted Newcastle a couple of seven-tackle restarts and failed to consistently apply pressure with erratic ends to their sets. Defensively, Hunt leaked two tries _ one a poor defensive read, another when he dropped off Nathan Ross for Danny Levi’s first-half try.

3. Broncos coach Wayne Bennett will breathe a sigh of relief after his star pivot Anthony Milford came through unscathed. Milford eventually required surgery on his shoulder but he didn’t seem troubled as he ran with purpose at the Newcastle line. His 50th-minute try iced a promising return from injury.

4. The sooner the Broncos sign James Roberts to a new deal, the better. His contract value is rising by the week. Roberts terrorised the Knights, running for a game-high 170 metres and making six tackle busts. He turned the contest just 60 seconds into the second half when he picked up a loose Knights grubber and raced 70 metres to score.

James Roberts scores a try against the Knights.

5. Tautau Moga showed the Knights the backline muscle he can give them next season. The Broncos centre will join Newcastle in 2018 and it was his second-half bust which kickstarted Brisbane’s fightback. He scored a crucial 47th-minute try and finished with 159 metres and seven tackle busts in a dominant centre’s performance.

Originally published as Five things we learned: Brisbane Broncos v Newcastle Knights