Broncos defeat Raiders despite ‘catastrophic’ injury crisis

The Broncos were dropping like flies against the Raiders but this Brisbane team is not the same as it was over the past two seasons.

Payne Haas, Adam Reynolds and Herbie Farnworth were all injured. Photo: Getty Images

The Brisbane Broncos have pulled off a stunning win despite losing Payne Haas, Herbie Farnworth and Adam Reynolds in a brutal 24-18 win.

Haas went off in the first half with an AC joint injury, while Farnworth suffered a biceps injury and Reynolds left the field with a rib injury.

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It was an incredibly brave performance as the Broncos finished with no players on the bench as Ezra Mam had a head injury assessment with 65 seconds left in the match.

Fox League’s Michael Ennis called the drama “catastrophic” for the Broncos.

But far from the Broncos of 2021 who regularly folded under adversity, the 2022 version of the club appears to thrive off the challenge.

The side has now won seven straight matches and sit fourth but on the same points as the third placed Cowboys, who have a superior for-and-against.

The Broncos went into halftime down 18-16 but defended there hearts out in the second half to constantly deny the Raiders from sending the game to extra-time.

Yvonne Sampson said it was “one of the bravest Broncos performances we’ve ever seen”.

The Broncos are a contender. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Even coach Kevin Walters, who won five grand finals as a player, said he couldn’t remember a Broncos team which had suffered so many setbacks.

“I can’t remember a team that’s had so many injuries and not just bumps and bruises but actual game-ending injuries and possibly weeks and months on the sidelines, so great effort by everyone, particularly those guys backing up from Origin,” he said.

“We just ran out of troops at the end and poor Adam had to kick that last goal with pretty much broken ribs.”

Reynolds turned up for the press conference and appeared in pain but said “I’ll get scans in the morning” to confirm the severity of his injury.

Walters confirmed that Haas had hurt his AC, while Farnworth was set to be out for the season and Corey Paix had a knee injury. He added Corey Oates had a swollen hand, Te Maire Martin had a rib injury and he said there was one more he couldn’t remember.

It’s a brutal injury toll, and although the likes of Kotoni Staggs, Selwyn Cobbo and Kurt Capewell would return but up to six players would be out.

Nine News Queensland’s Michael Atkinson tweeted: “That is one incredibly gutsy win by @brisbanebroncos. This team has transformed so much in the last 8 months.”

But while the side has won seven straight games, Walters said: “Seve in a row is great but we haven’t won anything yet,” Walters said.

“We’ve won some footy games but we’ve just got to keep this club moving forward.”

He said the club needed to stay consistent over years rather than a run of games.

Reynolds said the bravery of the performance was “right up there” in the experience of his career.

Reynolds and Haas look on. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Despite the huge injury toll, there were several positives out of the match, including the partnership of Reynolds and rookie 19-year-old half Mam.

“I think the spine of the Broncos connected really well,” Cooper Cronk said after the game.

“Billy Walters had a great game, but Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam were outstanding.

“They were shifting the ball from left to right and causing all sorts of problems for the Raiders.”

Michael Ennis said the combination of the two halves could set the Broncos up for years to come.

“Ezra Mam had some nice moments and combined beautifully with Adam Reynolds,” Ennis said.

“They had some lovely touches down the left-hand side.

“They tormented Tomoko and Fogarty on that left edge. Every time they have been down there as a pair they have been a handful and found a way through.”