Five things we learned from Brisbane’s 25-24 loss to St George Illawarra

Brisbane need to lock up their left side defence and the other side of youth stung them at key times of their 25-24 loss to St George Illawarra. Here’s five things we learned from the match.

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Brisbane failed to back up their performance from last week and suffered a heartbreaking 25-24 loss to St George Illawarra.

Here’s five things we learned from the match.

1. Left right out for tackles

Broncos teammates have thrown hosannas all year at Jack Bird’s efforts and attitude, but he was part of a vulnerable left side.

By halftime, Bird had missed two tackles and Anthony Milford three. Bird ended up with six misses, while opposite number Euan Aitken had 123m up by halftime, including two line breaks.

Brisbane slumped to their second loss of the year. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

2. Young men will learn from errors

Thomas Flegler was given only 25 minutes in the game after his vastly impressive, 172m maiden Queensland derby outing.

A dropped ball either side of halftime, particularly the second, a cold drop on his 40m line which gave away possession for the try to put the Dragons ahead 16-12. The 19-year-old’s teammates Isaako (twice) and Corey Oates also dropped what they might, as the AFL commentators used to say, have taken.

It can happen to young men and Flegler and Isaako will bounce back quickly.

3. It would have been a lucky win

Two tries from a turnover in the Dragons’ 20m area, another try from a sticky fingered slips catch from James Roberts and a fourth from a Milford grubber.

It would have been a ropey old way for the Broncos to get a win.

Brisbane were lucky to be as close as they were. AAP Image/Dave Hunt.

4. Pangai missed the mark

The line speed of Tevita Pangai Jnr in getting to ball runners is a thrilling sight.

But he didn’t get to Korbin Sims on the Broncos’ tryline at 18-all despite his explosive energy and the ex-Brisbane teammate was free to bowl over the smaller Andrew McCullough and score.

5. Who shoulders the load

Gareth Widdop’s shoulder injury in the 73rd minute made the debate about the Dragons’ spine selections academic for the time being.

The unlucky Widdop started both halves of the game at fullback, but didn’t last long there in either.

Field-goal hero Corey Norman played most minutes in the last line, but Zac Lomax finished the game there as Dragons coach Paul McGregor pulled the switches with his main ball handlers.