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Brisbane Broncos 8
Melbourne Storm 15
A low scoring and at times dull and boring game at Suncorp Stadium has seen the Melbourne Storm take a hard earned seven point win over the Brisbane Broncos who looked badly out of touch heading into the finals next weekend.
The loss for the Broncos confirms that the Sydney Roosters will take out the minor premiership regardless of what happens tomorrow night in Friday Night Football when they take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium.
The Broncos really struggled to get into their rhythm in attack throughout the game and therefore only scored the single try which came when the game was already looking lost after a pair of penalty goals in the first half.
Anthony Milford struggled to control the team and their defence didn’t hold up to usual standards meaning the Storm were able to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Some of their forwards did however stand up and keep them within reaching distance.
The Storm meanwhile relied heavily on Cameron Munster in both attack and defence and he had an incredible game in a man of the match performance. Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith had their usual controlling influence on the game and Tohu Harris was very strong right throughout the game.
The Broncos opened the scoring with a penalty goal early in proceedings, which after they had been on the attack for a period of time maybe set the scene for the evening, in that they were going to score points whenever they got the opportunity.
Following the penalty goal Kurt Mann managed to score for the Storm in a very soft try on the left hand side in the Storm’s first real attacking chance.
The Storm had some more chances before giving away another penalty and the Broncos would level the score with another penalty goal.
Right on the stroke of half time Will Chambers would score off the back of a perfectly executed set play and hand the Storm the lead at half time.
At halftime it was the Storm up 8 points to 4.
The second half descended into an arm wrestle with neither team able to take a grasp on the game. Plenty of opportunities were squandered by both sides and you have to wonder where they sit heading into the finals next weekend.
The Storm scored the first try of the second half through Kurt Mann who completed a double. A kick was put up, allowed to bounce and then recovered by Tohu Harris who slung a pass to Mann. He was able to score easily and take the game to a 10 point difference, at which point was looking quite a stretch for the Broncos.
The Broncos would score their only try of the game in the 64th minute through some ad lib play with Jack Reed scoring in the corner with a brilliant offload from Justin Hodges setting it up.
The Storm would put the icing on the cake with a field goal to Cooper Cronk in the 70th minute, taking the lead to seven points and one that would never be challenged despite a couple of squandered chances for the Broncos late in the clash.
Next week the Broncos will host the Cowboys in the second qualifying final whilst the Storm will take on either the Roosters, Dragons or Sea Eagles depending on other results this weekend.
In the end this evening though, the Storm too strong for the Broncos in an arm wrestle.
The Brisbane Broncos host the Melbourne Storm in a crucial top eight clash at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:45pm (AEST).
The Broncos have a chance to claim top spot tonight and potentially the minor premiership if the Rabbitohs can upset the Roosters in Sydney on Friday.
For the Storm, it’s also a crucial match as they have the chance to secure a top four finish, pending the result between the Sharks and Sea Eagles on Sunday.
Simply, no matter which way you look at this match, it’s high-stakes footy!
To only add to the spectacle, both sides enter this match with wind in their sails following wins in Round 25. The Broncos obliterated the Rabbitohs last Thursday, scoring some of the season’s most impressive tries on their way to a 47-12 victory.
The Storm’s win was less of a statement on the scoreboard than the Broncos’, as they ran out a 14-6 victory against the third-placed Cowboys at AAMI Park. However, any win against a top four side is extremely heartening with finals just around the bend.
On the team front, Lachlan Maranta replaces Jordan Kahu on the wing for the Cowboys. Jarrod Wallace will start in the back row, replacing Alex Glenn who will miss with a suspension.
For the Storm there is just the single change, with Tim Glasby and Jordan McLean swapping between the bench and front row.
With incredible form in recent weeks, and a home crowd cheering them on, the Broncos enter this match as relatively short favourites, however the clash on the park for the Storm means they are never without a shot.
Prediction: The Broncos on home soil, and with any luck a minor premiership to chase down will be too strong for the Broncos in a close one.
Broncos by 4.
Will it be the Broncos or Storm that finish off their regular season with a win?
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:45pm (AEST) to find out. If you are following the action live, be sure to share your thoughts on the match in the comments below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde