Broncos blitz fires 14-year shot as first Battle of Brisbane looms

As if the Battle of Brisbane couldn’t get any juicier, the Broncos have just fired the first shot in a stunning blitz against the Dragons.

The Broncos will go into the Battle of Brisbane on top. Photo: Getty Images and NRL

Watch out Dolphins — the Broncos are coming for you.

NRL newcomers the Dolphins have become the darlings of the competition after three straight wins to start the season but the Broncos have just sent a message loud and clear, snatching first place on the ladder heading into the round four clash.

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As if the first Battle of Brisbane didn’t have enough storylines, the Broncos and Dolphins will head into the match as No. 1 and No. 2 on the NRL ladder with both sides undefeated after three straight wins.

The Broncos needed to win by 19-points or more to move into top spot and were locked in the contest against the Dragons until the 70th minute.

When Selwyn Cobbo scored, it opened the floodgates as the Broncos scored four tries in the final 10 minutes to go from 18-all to 40-18 and putting the No. 1 spot in their pocket.

Making it even better for Kevin Walters, who has missed the finals twice in his two seasons in charge at Red Hill, the Broncos’ 3-0 start to the season is the first time since 2009 the side has started with a trio of victories.

The Broncos are galloping. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Nine commentator Mathew Thompson tweeted: “Presenting your new premiership favourites. Team to beat!” of the Broncos’ win.

Brisbane are an extremely good football team. We went with them, but they are too classy. #NRLBroncosDragons#redv

— Chris O'Keefe (@cokeefe9) March 18, 2023

But while rugby league is buzzing about the Queensland grudge match, Broncos captain Adam Reynolds wishes next Friday night’s clash was already here.

“It’s going to be a big one, it’s been talked through the media this whole week — I’m sick of hearing about it really,” Reynolds said.

“We had a game to play tonight. Obviously to get through the week now and turn our attention to them, it’ll be a great thing for Brisbane.”

In the press conference, Walters also downplayed Friday night’s game, saying he hadn’t even thought about it.

“We’re going to try to enjoy tonights win and put it to bed tomorrow or Monday and get onto to our game next week,” he said.

“That’s why the Dolphins were put in Brisbane, to create that rivalry. But we’re not rivals of the Dolphins — we are the Broncos. That’s our club, that’s who we are, and our mindset is we are the Broncos.”

It was a bizarre game for the Broncos who trailed 16-8 at halftime as the Dragons appeared certainties to pull off a shock win.

But the second half was the flip-side as the Broncos hit back to lead 18-16 before a penalty goal locked the sides up.

As the commentators began thinking of field goals or golden point, the Broncos had another plan, putting the foot on the accelerator with the shock blitz.

Yvonne Sampson said: “I can’t believe they just blew the Dragons completely off the park at Suncorp Stadium.”

Brutal scenes for the Dragons. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

But despite the impressive finish and comments from Walters that he sees shades of the champion early 1990s Broncos, Mal Meninga didn’t quite agree.

“Not yet, I must be honest with you,” he said. “I was around in those times.

“But their second half was spectacular, particularly the last 10 minutes. Obviously Kevvie said to them at halftime, we need to play this way, we need to play our system, we need to got through them.

“But their first half, that’s the big question mark on the way they started. They might have had their mind on what’s going to happen next week, but they certainly got their mind back on track at halftime.”