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Dolphins Vs Broncos live: NRL loses it over incredible thriller

The first Battle of Brisbane has given fans everything they would ever want from a game of footy in an incredible spectacle of rugby league.

Andrew McMurtryAndrew McMurtry
@AndrewMcMurtry
5 min read
March 25, 2023 - 12:17AM
'Bigger than Origin': Dolphins and Broncos to clash in 'Battle of Brisbane'

The Brisbane Broncos have pulled off a remarkable 18-12 win in the first Battle of Brisbane against the Dolphins, only sealing the match with a length of the field try in the 78th minute to Kotoni Staggs.

One of the most hyped matches in recent memory, the newest rivalry has an incredible opening chapter.

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The sides came into the match both undefeated and with the Broncos No. 1 and Dolphins No. 2 on the ladder.

In front of a packed Suncorp Stadium crowd, the match went down to the wire in an incredible performance.

The Broncos went to the break leading 4-0 and scored again after half-time to take an 8-0 lead after Adam Reynolds struggled to nail his conversions from the sideline.

But you can never count out a Wayne Bennett-coached side.

A barnstorming try to Jarrod Wallace and neat grubber from Anthony Milford for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow handed the Dolphins the lead at 12-8.

Injuries to Kodi Nikorima, who left the field with a sickening head knock, and halfback Sean O’Sullivan, who reportedly suffered a torn pec, left`the Dolphins short of men.

A Reynolds pass to Kurt Capewell put the Maroons veteran threw a gap, running 45m to score in the corner and take the lead, before Kotoni Staggs ran the length of the field to score the match-sealer, defusing a cross-field grubber from Milford and racing away to seal the win.

"Out f**king home!!!" Photo: Fox Sports
"Out f**king home!!!" Photo: Fox Sports

Fans were blown away by the incredible scenes of a packed house at Suncorp Stadium, incredible desperation defence, scintillating attack and pretty much everything you’d want in a game of footy.

9.35pm — Broncos steal it back

This game is absolutely nuts.

The Dolphins had only just hit the lead but with less than 10 minutes going, Kurt Capewell has scored to make it 14-12 in a wild game.

Adam Reynolds put Capewell through a gap and he scored in the corner after galloping 45m.

9.25pm — Dolphins hit the lead

The Dolphins have hit the lead for the first time after bouncing back from an 8-0 deficit.

Selwyn Cobbo scored in the 49th minute to give the Broncos the two try lead but the Dolphins are showing you can never count the newbies out.

Former Bronco Jarrod Wallace was pumped after he barged his way across the line.

The big man was pumped up after the try but it was about to get so much better.

After Mark Nicholls appeared to have taken out his fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at the other end, the forward reached back up to knock the ball out of Cobbo’s hands.

The ball went straight back up the other end with Anthony Milford grubbering through the line for Tabuai-Fidow to send his side into the lead.

But it’s not all good news for the Dolphins with halfback Sean O’Sullivan leaving the field with a pectoral injury, ruling him out of the remainder of the match and likely some time.

8.50pm — Broncos lead 4-0 at halftime

The Brocnos have taken a 4-0 lead in the half-time break but while there’s only been one try, there’s been no shortage of entertainment with desperate defence saving the day.

Broncos fullback Reece Walsh has been everywhere in another starring performance, this time in defence to save the day.

But the match has lived up to its billing so far, with a little bit of everything in the match.

Kodi Nikorima brought the blood when a sickening headclash saw him ruled out of the match through a HIA, while the Dolphins Tom Gilbert wanted a piece of Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds.

8.30pm — Broncos score first

Arthars has the first try in the rivalry. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Arthars has the first try in the rivalry. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

It’s taken 25 minutes but the Broncos are the first on the board after Jesse Arthars scored in the corner.

It’s been an entertaining start to the rivalry between the sides with desperate defence stopping earlier tries.

But after going through the hands, the Broncos winger claimed the historic try.

6.50pm — Wayne parachutes in Milford

Anthony Milford will make his Dolphins debut with 18-year-old five-eighth Isaiya Katoa unable to overcome his elbow injury.

It will see the former $1m-a-season Bronco line up against the club that cut him loose in 2021.

Poasa Faamausili will also come in for Felise Kaufusi, while Mason Teague will start at hooker with Kodi Nikorima dropping back to the bench.

DOLPHINS: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 21. Anthony Milford 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 17. Mason Teague 18. Poasa Faamausili 10. Kenny Bromwich 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Tom Gilbert

Bench: 9. Kodi Nikorima 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone

18th man: 22. Robert Jennings

BRONCOS: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Bench: 14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Corey Jensen 17. Martin Taupau

18th man: 18. Deine Mariner

5pm — Wayne preps ex-$1m man bombshell

Wayne Bennett has reportedly prepared Anthony Milford set to make his Dolphins debut in the Battle of Brisbane against the club who used to pay him $1m a season.

Milford was one of the most exciting players in the NRL and joined the Queensland heavyweights in 2015 for what proved to be the best season of his career so far, leading the side to what remains its most recent Grand Final appearance.

He had another great season in 2016 but it was all downhill after he signed a $1m a season deal for 2017.

He was exiled from the Broncos and signed with the Knights last season, before joining the Dolphins in 2023.

Milford could debut for the Dolphins. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Milford could debut for the Dolphins. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

But he’s yet to get on the field in first grade with young five-eighth Isaiya Katoa earning the No. 6 jersey to start the season.

The 18-year-old is reportedly in doubt for the monster clash with Milford expected to be parachuted in if the youngster can’t overcome an elbow injury.

Bennett revealed on Thursday that Milford was “on standby”.

“We will bring ‘Po’ in for Felise and we will see what we do with Katoa,” Bennett said.

“Isaiya is just about over the line but he’s quite there yet, so we will see how he pulls up (on Friday).

“If he’s not right, we have Anthony on standby,

“I haven’t seen Anthony play (in the Queensland Cup).

“The feedback on him has been pretty good. He was up in Central Queensland playing (for feeder club the Capras) and he was in Townsville last weekend so the feedback has been good.”

4pm — Dolphins-Broncos finally agree on something

The first match between the Dolphins and Broncos is already one of the most hyped matches at very least of this season so far as heavyweights Brisbane now have a local rival.

Based at Redcliffe, which is around 40km from Brisbane, the Dolphins will share Suncorp Stadium for the most part but it’s already been a touch bitter.

Pre-season, the Dolphins landed some Broncos signatures but Brisbane had the biggest swipe with the signing of Reece Walsh with the Dolphins shut-out of potential negotiations.

But the sides have finally agreed on something, coming together to set up what’s been dubbed the “Battle Medal” for the player of the match.

The winner of the medal will be decided by Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith.

“There has been an unbelievable amount of excitement around this first battle game and we are so proud that the first ever Dolphins-Broncos game is a sellout,” Dolphins CEO Terry Reader said.

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“It ensures this will be a night to remember for not only the players, but the members and fans of both clubs.

“We believe the Battle Medal will grow into a prestigious honour for players over the coming years as this amazing rivalry continues to grow.”

Broncos boss Dave Donaghy echoed the comments, saying: ““This medal is bound to bring plenty of joy for fans and plenty of pride for the players who run out there to battle for the honour.”

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