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Allianz Stadium opened its gates for what was touted a blockbuster match between two 2015 heavyweights – the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos.
The Broncos must have forgot this as their steady decline continued, this time falling 32-16 to a plucky Roosters side. This leaves the Broncos reeling having now lost seven of their last nine games. They are at significant risk of falling outside of finals contention with five games to go.
Captain Corey Parker and coach Wayne Bennett remain optimistic despite the loss, suggesting there’s no need for panic stations yet – “One week in footy is a long time, five weeks is even longer” said Parker.
The Broncos will need to turn things around quickly, facing up against the Dragons at WIN Jubilee Stadium, before returning for a formidable run home against the Eels, Bulldogs, Storm, and Roosters once more.
Once again, it was defence that seemed to let the Broncos down, letting in six tries on a cold Thursday night. Corey Oates opening minute fumble and a concussion to winger Lachlan Maranta compounding a disappointing night for last year’s grand final runners up.
After a stuttering season, ex-Bronco Dale Copley would prove to be a difference maker scoring two tries in his first appearance against his former club. Copley, who has missed much of the season through injury had arguably his best performance of the season for the tricolours, as he exposed monumental weaknesses in the Broncos’ left-edge defence.
Luck was on the Broncos side, as prop Jarrod Wallace crashed over from a deflected grubber to level the scores in the 19th minute. Unfortunately for Brisbane it was short lived as the Roosters continued to pile on the points heading into half time. This time it was highly regarded rookie five-eighth Connor Watson offloading to fellow rookie, Latrell Mitchell, who scored his first try of the night.
Ferguson would be next to score, as another line break from centre Dale Copley would find Ferguson to go in untouched and extend the Roosters lead to 12 heading into halftime.
If luck was on the Broncos side earlier, it had completely deserted them shortly after the break, as fullback Blake Ferguson helped the Roosters score a contender for try of the season. The New South Wales Origin star was at his scintillating best as he tiptoed within centimetres of the sideline to put Shaun Kenny Dowall over for an unbelievable try.
The play started with an innocuous kick from half Mitchell Pearce, leading to a second kick effort from Shaun Kenny Dowall forcing Ferguson into moves more akin to aerial aerobics than rugby league.
Broncos’ rookie Tom Opacic crossed for his first NRL try, however in-form back-rower Boyd Cordner backed up his 185 metre night with a 62nd minute try of his own to lament a strong performance for the Roosters.
Dale Copley would yet again find the line breaking through some pedestrian defence from the Broncos as their season grows close to breaking point. Darius Boyd continues his vein of good-form, with a mere consolation try in the 71st minute.
Controversy from the NRL Bunker struck once more as the Broncos were disallowed a try for double movement. Parker and Bennett remained relatively mute regarding the dubious decision, however, Roosters coach Trent Robinson disagreed stating “reaching out” and extending his arm cost them the try.
The tricolours will look to win back-to-back games for the first time in 2016 when they play the Penrith Panthers at Pepper Stadium on Monday night.
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