Brisbane’s season is set to turn ugly after they were buried under a pile of spectacular second half tries by a red-hot Warriors at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
Unheralded stand-in halfback, James Maloney, who has drifted from Parramatta and Melbourne to across the ditch, had the game of a lifetime scoring 28 points — including a hat-trick of tries in the 48-16 thumping in front of 32,338 stunned fans.
Maloney’s personal haul equalled the Warriors’ club record shared by Gene Gnamu and current coach and former fullback Ivan Cleary.
Both sides suffered heavy injury tolls in a fierce opening 40 minutes on a steamy Sunday afternoon and this contributed to the scoreline.
Brisbane right centre Israel Folau (fractured finger) and winger Denan Kemp (suspected broken rib) left the field midway through the first half.
Within a few minutes they were joined by blockbusting Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei and skipper Simon Mannering who pulled up with hamstring injuries
Mannering made his exit after finishing off a magnificent try after the ball had swung from the left to right and back, passing through 14 sets of hands in the 23rd minute.
By the end of the 80 minutes, Wade McKinnon, who had a dislocated finger put back into position on the sidelines and Brisbane lock Matt Gillett (corked thigh) joined the casualty ward.
Brisbane’s injury toll now includes Test centre Justin Hodges (Achilles), young winger Jharal Yow Yeh (knee), centre/winger Steve Michaels (ankle), Corey Parker (knee), Folau (finger) and Gillett (cork).
Of those, only Gillett is any hope of being available for Friday night’s clash with the Roosters, smashed 60-14 by the Bulldogs.
Folau was booked for surgery hours after the heavy loss.
“The bone was sticking out so it wasn’t looking too good,” said the young centre who scored Brisbane’s opening try.
With their right side decimated, Brisbane simply could not handle the Warriors who threw the ball around like they did in the early days when they first arrived on the NRL scene.
Only now, they back up their razzle dazzle ad-lib style with some fierce defence.
They piled on six second half tries — three of them to the 23 year-old Orange-born Maloney.
Both Brisbane coach Ivan Henjak and skipper Darren Lockyer admitted they were concerned by the manner in which the Warriors scored so freely.
“I thought we were pretty poor defensively without taking anything away from the Warriors,” said Henjak.
“It’s always a concern when sides put a lot of points on you.
“(Off-loading) is a part of their game but it’s not unstoppable, you can shut it down if you’re committed.
“We’re off the pace at the moment.”
Lockyer said Brisbane were on the back foot from the time they lost control of the ruck in the second half.
“They (players) weren’t competing towards the end, that was the most disappointing thing,” he said.
Cleary said fullback Lance Hohaia and livewire hooker Aaron Heremaia who created havoc around ruck fringes as Brisbane wilted.
The win was extra sweet for former Broncos Joel Moon and centre Brent Tate whose strong running game would have reminded Queensland selectors of his talents.
Col the Bear
Guest
You'll have to get Rugby League week today MF BEARS,REDS RISE.. NRL OPENS DOOR FOR CENTRAL COAST AND PERTH IN 2013 words form David Gallop in article, as we expected expansion looks well and truly back on the cards again, unlike 2004, where we turned up our toes when they said no to expansion this time we kept at it, and only got stronger.. our case is very very strong..
Midfielder
Guest
Col That great news Col... we must have a coffee one day ... still have not changed my mind ... but can see the effort you guys are putting in and I can admire that...
jake
Roar Rookie
I agree col that heritage Jersey is awesome!!! they should also go back to being called Auckland Warriors!
Col the Bear
Guest
MF you know I don't have fox.. so i missed the game..it'll be the Bears and we all know it..we have some amazing things in the pipeline..so stand by..and all will be revealed, you'll see..our paid up membership is growing by the day, well over 1000 in 4 months.. not bad for a team not in the comp yet.. I think Manly have 2.500 don't they.. we'll pass them soon at this rate.. here come the Bears!!
Midfielder
Guest
Col Watch last nights game between ... the CC Sharks or the CC Rabs... depending on who folds first...
Col the Bear
Guest
Did Bruno actually have a smirk on his face when he was discussing Alf today..and the Normanby episode..??how much was he over the limit and driving..??
Hoy
Roar Guru
I have had many a discussions with mates on the Broncos. A friend reckons they have just made some of the big dud decisions in recruitment over the last few years. 1. Letting Petero go. 2. Letting Polar Bear go. 3. Hiring Clinton as their marquee forward. 4. Hiring Ashton Sims. I think their problems all stem from the forward pack. They are pretty ordinary. Apart from Kenny and maybe Parker, who are both toilers, the rest are in and out of games big time. Their defense around the middle is absolutely shithouse, with some of the softest tries I have seen coming against the Broncs over the last two years. Their backs are some of the best, however their forwards are just ordinary. Probably the first year in 18 that they won't make the 8.
oikee
Guest
This club is now on the brink of totally falling apart. The signs were there when Wanye Bennett left the club, along with half there forward pack. The culture and the CEO are long past there use-by date. The warriors on the other hand are looking good. Great win, good culture and faithful supporters. The broncos faithful?, abit like there ceo, go missing in action. I refuse to support this club until he is gone. I now have 6 members ready to sign up, but until he along with his dinosaur mates get out of this club, no way bozo. He is holding back so many supporters in brisbane.
Col the Bear
Guest
Warriors have got to keep that jersey they played in for the past 2 weeks the heritage jersey ..from 95, it's so much more appealing then the black and white one..
Sylvester
Guest
Impressive performance from the Warriors, especially given their recent away record. Time will tell if it lasts. I'm sure they made a winning start last year only to go down in a screaming heap by the middle of the season. The key for the Warriors is defence, and that impressed me more than the tries (which were outstanding). They faced quite a few sets on their own line and largely held firm. Points will usually come for them, it's just a case of keeping out the soft tries. Also impressed by the discipline and ball-handling, their other usual Achilles heels.