NRL Round 11 2024: Brisbane Broncos win 13-12 over Manly Sea Eagles, Payne Haas suffers toe injury

Missing inspirational stars Adam Reynolds and Reece Walsh, the Broncos produced a Magic Round miracle, holding back a remarkable Manly comeback, to hand the Sea Eagles a third straight defeat.

The Broncos have survived a Manly comeback to win in Magic Round. Picture: Getty Images

Super Selwyn Cobbo submitted an irresistible claim for a Queensland Origin recall as Jock Madden stepped up to inspire Brisbane’s epic 13-12 Magic Round victory over Manly on Friday night.

Not even the late withdrawal of Reece Walsh (knee) could halt the gutsy Broncos as Cobbo seamlessly slotted into the fullback role to slice-and-dice the Sea Eagles before 50,971 at a greasy Suncorp Stadium.

And the Broncos found a hero in Madden, who showed there is life after Adam Reynolds when the back-up halfback calmly snapped the field goal that broke a 12-all deadlock four minutes from time.

The Broncos have survived a Manly comeback to win in Magic Round. Picture: Getty Images

Walsh was the seventh player to fall victim to Brisbane’s injury curse and there were fears the swelling casualty ward could open the door for a Manly Magic Round ambush.

But even without key spinal trio Walsh, Adam Reynolds and Billy Walters, the Broncos were too fast, slick and hungry as Cobbo and Madden combined to land a one-two punch.

Brisbane (7-4) moved to fourth provisionally with their fourth win from five games, outlasting an error-riddled Manly side that crashed to a third consecutive defeat.

MARVELLOUS MADDEN

With skipper Reynolds (biceps) sidelined for three months, Madden has time to settle in the No.7 jumper and he delivered when it mattered most.

With scores locked at 12-all after a second-half Manly fightback, the former Wests Tigers playmaker showed nerves of steel to snap the first field goal of his 27-game career.

Madden also threw a superb face-ball for Brendan Piakura’s early try to get the Broncos rolling.

“We have a lot of confidence in Jock and what he brings to the team,” Broncos coach Kevin Walters said. “He is different to Adam, but he showed a cool head and defensively he was really good.”

PAYNE-FUL NIGHT

The Broncos and Blues suffered a major scare when superstar prop Payne Haas was carried off by medicos on the hour.

Haas, who only returned from right knee surgery a fortnight ago, looked to be in serious trouble when he hobbled off, this time with damage to his left leg.

But Haas conjured a Magic Round miracle, returning to the field with five minutes to play, suggesting he will be fit for Sunday week’s Titans derby.

“He got a knee to the calf which triggered a nerve problem in his big toe, but he should be OK for next week,” Walters said.

Broncos and NSW Blues fans were fearing for the worst when Payne Haas had to be assisted from the field, but were shocked when he came back to the field not long after. Picture: Getty Images

SIZZLING SELWYN

No Walsh, no worries.

Having moved to centre this season, Cobbo is equally potent in the backfield and he terrorised Manly with his size and speed, amassing 223 metres, 11 tackle busts and three line breaks to set-up a 12-0 halftime lead.

Queensland coach Billy Slater picks his team for Origin I on Sunday week. Cobbo is right in the mix. He was overlooked for Origin II last year after suffering a hip injury, but with incumbents Valentine Holmes and Murray Taulagi in mediocre form at the Cowboys, Cobbo made a statement to Slater.

“Selwyn doesn’t care what the score is, he just plays,” Walters said.

“I’d love to see him get picked for Queensland.”

Selwyn Cobbo put in an inspirational performance on the eve of Origin selection, proving hard to handle at fullback. Picture: Getty Images

YOUNG TALENT TIME

Few sides have the capacity to cope with a shocking injury toll like the Broncos.

Their next-man-up mentality keeps the Broncos’ grand-final juggernaut rolling on, as evidenced by the displays of halfback Madden, debutant Josiah Karapani and rising hooker Blake Mozer.

The highly-rated Mozer, playing his second NRL game, held his own around the rucks, Karapani made 137 metres and five tackle busts and back-rower Brendan Piakura was lethal on the edges.

Hit man Piakura ran a superb line to open the scoring in the seventh minute and could be a Queensland bench bolter for Origin I.

MANLY INJURY BLOW

The Sea Eagles have suffered another crushing injury blow with veteran enforcer Matt Lodge tearing his bicep.

Lodge left the field in the second half of the Magic Round showdown at Suncorp Stadium and left the ground with his left arm in a sling.

Lodge is set to undergo surgery and faces around three months on the sideline.

It continues a devastating injury run for Lodge, who snapped his ACL last year and was on the comeback trail from a knee reconstruction.

Manly can do without more injuries having already lost Tom Trbojevic to a hamstring injury that has ruled him out of the Origin series.

Originally published as NRL Round 11 2024: Brisbane Broncos win 13-12 over Manly Sea Eagles, Payne Haas suffers toe injury