5 things we learned from Brisbane’s 42-12 loss to Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium

TOO many errors, not enough forward power and a brilliant Origin audition. Here’s five things we learned from Brisbane’s 42-12 loss to Melbourne.

Sam Thaiday of the Broncos is tackled during the Round 17 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Melbourne Storm at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Friday, June 30, 2017. (AAP Image/Albert Perez) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

TOO many errors, not enough forward power and a brilliant Origin audition. Here’s five things we learned from Brisbane’s 42-12 loss to Melbourne.

1) THE Broncos handled last week’s first test without star players Anthony Milford and Darius Boyd with ease.

But it was clear just how much the side are missing the playmaking duo.

If Brisbane are to hold their own against the other teams at the top of the ladder, they need their star troops back — and fast.

They lost by just two points the last time they met Melbourne in Round 3 but had no direction and struggled to find any spark in attack on Friday night.

BACK TO HIS BEST: Hayne dazzles as Titans win

VICTORY: Storm dust Broncos

2) CAMERON Munster will return to Suncorp Stadium in a week and a half, but on that occasion he will be wearing maroon.

The Storm gun did his chances of an Origin debut little harm last night.

The only conundrum now for Kevin Walters and the Queensland selectors is where to play him. The Storm spine looks untouchable right now.

Munster was excellent at five-eighth.

3) BRISBANE simply made too many mistakes.

They finished with a 62 per cent completion rate, missed 28 tackles and made 14 errors.

It was not good enough when you’re playing the top team in the competition and something they will need to fix after they return from their bye week.

4) JOE Ofahengaue’s relegation to reserve grade over the last year has been a godsend. The young prop has come back into first grade with a vengeance.

He made more metres than any other Broncos prop last night, eating up 100m off 12 hit-ups.

It should be enough to see him keep his place in the 17 over fellow young forward, Herman Ese’ese.

The Storm ground Brisbane down.

5) JOSH McGuire could be on restricted duties for the start of Maroons camp next week, after he suffered a horrific head knock against the Storm.

He was clearly left out of sorts after his head collided with Jesse Bromwich’s leg in the 8th minute.

When trainers tried to take McGuire from the field for a HIA, he struggled with them as they walked to the sideline, clearly unaware of what was happening as he tried to stay on the field.

Originally published as 5 things we learned from Brisbane’s 42-12 loss to Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium