NRL 2023: Broncos defeat Raiders 29-18, move one game clear on top of NRL ladder

The Broncos are 80 minutes away from their first minor premiership in 23 years, defeating the Raiders 29-18 in Canberra, and jumping the Panthers to the top of the NRL table.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 26: Herbie Farnworth of the Broncos warms up before the round 26 NRL match between Canberra Raiders and Brisbane Broncos at GIO Stadium on August 26, 2023 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

The brilliant Broncos are on the verge of their first minor premiership in 23 years as Reece Walsh and hat-trick hero Selwyn Cobbo carved up Canberra to leave the Raiders’ finals hopes on life support.

Missing star duo Adam Reynolds (calf) and Pat Carrigan (foot), the Broncos found another dynamic duo in Walsh and Cobbo, whose treble inspired Brisbane’s pulsating 29-18 victory at GIO Stadium.

The seventh consecutive win saw Brisbane (42 competition points) leapfrog Penrith into top spot and they can clinch their first JJ Giltinan Shield since 2000 by beating Melbourne this Thursday night at Suncorp Stadium.

Conversely, sixth-placed Canberra (32 points) are fighting for their season and must beat the Sharks away in the final round next Sunday to book a finals berth.

It was a supremely gutsy display by Brisbane, who were forced to overcome the loss of Reynolds and Carrigan and withstood a furious Canberra finish to ensure veteran winger Corey Oates saluted in his 200th Broncos game.

Trailing 24-18, Canberra peppered Brisbane’s line in the final 10 minutes but the hosts showed the desperation that wins titles as Walsh snapped a 75th-minute field goal to bury the Raiders.

“That’s the character of this team,” Broncos coach Kevin Walters said. “It was a real gritty win. We are always in the fight.”

The Broncos are one win away from the minor premiership. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

TRIPLE TREAT

With debonair match-winners like Walsh, Cobbo and Ezra Mam, the Broncos have the class and youth to win the title.

Walsh is a footballing phenom. He posted three try assists, 126m and seven tackle busts and when Brisbane needed a leader in the dying minutes, Walsh stepped up with a field goal and sizzling solo try two minutes from time to nail Canberra’s coffin shut.

“He was good for us when we needed him to stand up,” Walters said. “Those opportunities are made for a guy like Reece.”

The speedy fullback was ably supported by five-eighth Mam, who defended like a 100kg prop, and the gifted Cobbo, who posted his third hat-trick this season and now has 19 tries from 21 games.

"It's exquisite, it's electric..."

It's Reece Walsh.

📺 Watch #NRLRaidersBroncos on ch.502 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/F9YaKbYWnE
✍️ BLOG https://t.co/KMA5OgktCR
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/vF9oloPnOdpic.twitter.com/FNjKdmwf7A

— Fox League (@FOXNRL) August 26, 2023

CARRIGAN CHAOS

The Broncos suffered a crushing blow before kick-off when Carrigan was a late scratching, joining Reynolds on the sidelines with a foot problem.

Without the cool-headed game management of Reynolds, Brisbane were patchy, completing at just 68 per cent in the first half.

The Broncos’ midfield lacked the same mongrel without the industry of Carrigan as the Green Machine put Brisbane under pressure around the rucks.

Madden was sound deputising for Reynolds, while prop Tom Flegler (140m) produced his best game of the season to help Payne Haas (143m) fill the Carrigan void.

Questions remain over Patrick Carrigan’s fitness. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

CAPITAL RAID

Jamal Fogarty was outstanding for the Raiders but not even his halfback heroics could edge Canberra home.

On a wild night, Canberra fullback Jordan Rapana was sin-binned in the 64th minute for an attempted trip on a trybound Cobbo, while Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs was reported in the 17th minute for elbowing Rapana.

Both may have a case to answer, but amid the drama, the Raiders blew their chance to seal a top-eight spot.

SWEET EIGHTEEN

Walters’ class of 2023 claimed a slice of history, equalling the club record with this triumph giving Brisbane their 18th regular-season win.

Just four other Broncos teams have won 18 regular-season games and, in a formidable portent, three of those (1992, 1998 and 2000) went on to win the NRL premiership.

This Broncos team defends like demons and can hold their nerve under adversity.

Throw in Reece Lightning and Brisbane are thundering towards a seventh premiership and their first grand final since 2015.

Originally published as NRL 2023: Broncos defeat Raiders 29-18, move one game clear on top of NRL ladder