‘Our f**king home’: Kotoni Staggs ‘ice cold’ celebration says it all

Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs not only scored the match-sealing try in the first Battle of Brisbane but also put their rivals in their place.

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

The Brisbane Broncos have emphatically answered the question that’s been buzzing around all week, claiming a 18-12 win over the Dolphins in the first Battle of Brisbane.

The match lived up to the hype, went down to the wire and was only really sealed when Kotoni Staggs ran the length of the field to put the Broncos six-points up with a minute remaining.

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But it was the post-try celebration that had the footy world talking as Staggs pointed to the ground and screamed “our f**king home”.

There had been plenty of talk of the Dolphins taking over Suncorp Stadium with the new addition to the NRL sharing Brisbane’s showpiece venue for seven matches in its inaugural season, as well as playing three games at its traditional home of Kayo Stadium (formerly known as Moreton Daily Stadium) in Redcliffe.

It will also take a game to the Sunshine Coast and its round 23 clash against the Knights to Perth.

After finally being added as the second team in Brisbane, despite being about 35km out of the city in Redcliffe, the Dolphins have wanted to paint the town red as the Broncos had mostly had the city to themselves since entering the competition in 1988.

But the Broncos weren’t about to let the city go that easily, and after the win, the Broncos showed the Dolphins exactly where they should go.

Thanks for visiting the home of the Broncos 💛

Safe travels back to Phinland. pic.twitter.com/mTE9BCuA9c

— Brisbane Broncos (@brisbanebroncos) March 24, 2023

The Broncos have won six premierships in the club’s history but it’s now been 17 years since the side last took out the competition.

The Broncos have among the most membership numbers in the NRL, having fallen off the top spot due to poor performances in recent seasons.

But with a shiny new rivalry against the Dolphins, who have become the darlings of the NRL to start the year, it’s bound to take rugby league in the city to a new level.

Especially as the Broncos now move to 4-0, a record the side hasn’t achieved since 2003.

And a win in the absorbing opening chapter in the Battle of Brisbane rivalry, the Broncos proved they still own the city, with Staggs showing the side is well and truly back.

What a moment for Kotoni Staggs. Photo: AAP Image/Darren England

Broncos fans were all about the centre’s celebration.

That celebration by Staggs was 🧊 cold. Game of the year! #NRLDolphinsBroncos

— Fraser Barton (@FraserBartonAAP) March 24, 2023

Our. F'ing. Home. Message received loud and clear Kotoni! 🐬🐴#NRLDolphinsBroncos

— Anne O'Keeffe (4 x 💉) (@Anne_OKeeffe) March 24, 2023

Staggs: “Our f..king home!” One of the rare times when the match ascends the hype of the week.

— Andrew Webster (@awebster1975) March 24, 2023

Wow #broncos just stole the #dolphins heart and emphatically claimed Suncorp as “our house” #NRLDolphinsBroncos

— Simon Love (@SimoLove) March 24, 2023

Reece Walsh, who had done a similar celebration to Staggs last week against the Dragons, said it was important to get the win against the upstarts.

“You could see Tones at the end, pointing at the ground, the soil, I think it’s a statement to say ‘This stadium’s ours’ and we’re not going to give it up easy,” he said.

While the Broncos may have staked their claim for Brisbane, the Dolphins would have lost no followers from a brave performance after losing Kodi Nikorima to an ugly head clash and Sean O’Sullivan to a torn pec.

The Broncos faithful were happy. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

But while it wasn’t the greatest football ever seen with 19 errors between the teams for the match, Broncos coach Kevin Walters was thrilled with the result.

“Kotoni has been very good for us in the opening month,” said Walters, who scored bragging rights over his long-time mentor Bennett.

“He is getting into that zone of performing every week. He is a rep player and you really notice his presence out there.

“We’re happy, it was a tough win, we didn’t play well, so we need to fix up a few things.

“I want to pay my respects to the Dolphins, they a bloody tough side. It was a typical Wayne Bennett-coached team.

“The margin was tight, neither side were at their best but we got there just in the nick of time.”