Broncos deny Dolphins in thriller to claim first derby bragging rights

Fans in Sydney had no live footy to watch on Friday night, but Queensland put on one hell of a show for those watching at home.

Wayne Bennett and his Dolphins did well to push the Broncos for as long as they did.

The supercoach said it was “incredible” they were still there slugging it out after losing halfback Sean O’Sullivan to a suspected pectoral tear and Kodi Nikorima to a head knock.

“Our halfback was gone, our hooker was gone, yet we are still in there at 14-12 – incredible,” Bennett said. “After 10 minutes [Tesi Niu] was gone [with a leg injury], but he stayed for the whole game.”

Any comeback ended three minutes from full-time when Brisbane centre Kotoni Staggs raced 100m to score, sealing the 18-12 win before pointing to the Suncorp Stadium turf and barking to the crowd: “Our f---ing home”.

It will take some time to develop a genuine hatred between the Broncos and the NRL new kids. At least the Dolphins did not muck around, proving themselves to be no easybeats in the top flight.

The Broncos celebrate a try by winger Selwyn Cobbo (left).Credit: Getty

Broncos coach Kevin Walters said of the Dolphins: “They’re a tough bloody side, and they gave us a tough game. It wasn’t a great spectacle, it was a tough game of footy, the margin was tight, which kept everyone on their seats, including both coaches. Although Wayne has seen a lot of those games in his 1000-game career.”

Bennett added: “We’ve set a standard now, there were 50,000-plus [fans] here tonight, there will be 50,000-plus the next time we play because nobody would have left here tonight disappointed in either side.”

Nikorima is unlikely to return next week for the trip to the Dragons, but the club will welcome the return of suspended hooker Jeremy Marshall-King and injured teen playmaker Isaiya Katoa, while recalled half Anthony Milford will have a couple of months to secure a regular starting spot in O’Sullivan’s absence.

The Broncos led 4-0 at half-time, then 8-0 before back-to-back tries gave the Dolphins a 12-8 advantage. Adam Reynolds put Kurt Capewell into a yawning gap in the 70th minute to allow the “visitors” to reclaim the lead.

Reece Walsh spilled the ball on the first tackle to gift the Dolphins an attacking set. But a low kick from late call-up Milford was gobbled up by Staggs, who pinned his ears back and galloped away from the Dolphins pack. How good was it to see Tom Gilbert being the last man still putting in the hard yards to run down Staggs?

The only thing more inspiring was Mark Nicholls sticking the big mit up to deny Selwyn Cobbo a try.

Apart from the late error, Walsh was excellent for the Broncos, as was Payne Haas.

Walsh said afterwards about Staggs’ message for the Dolphins fans at the end of the game: “To see Tones’ there at the end, pointing to the soil, it’s a statement that this stadium is ours, and we won’t give it up easy. I’m sure there is [room for two teams in Brisbane]. It creates an awesome rivalry and will make both teams better, so I’m happy for them to keep us on our toes.”

Ouch: Sean O’Sullivan clutches at his injured pec.Credit: Getty

Walsh was on the Dolphins’ radar last year, only for the New Zealand Warriors to release him on the proviso he did not sign with the new kids on the block.

His pass for Cobbo to score in the second half was a ripper. He also came up with a try-saving tackle on Niu late in the first half.

Lachlan Murdoch was spotted in the Broncos’ sheds before the game to lend some heavyweight support. The Broncos are now 4-0 for the first time in 20 years, and strongly favoured to go 5-0 when they host the Wests Tigers next Saturday.

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