Brisbane had to dig deep to pull off a special 26-12 victory against South Sydney for veteran forward Petero Civoniceva in his 300th NRL game at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
It was the 165th NRL win of Civoniceva’s career which started against North Sydney in 1998.
The giant forward took the field in a jumper presented to him by former Broncos captain Darren Lockyer who holds the all-time record of 355 NRL games.
When reserve forward Ben Te’o scored Brisbane’s fifth try just before fulltime, Civoniceva was called up to take the conversion.
He pushed it just wide of the left upright.
Down 6-4 at halftime and 12-10 after speedster Nathan Merritt scored an 85-metre intercept off Corey Norman’s loose pass in the 48th minute, Brisbane finished a physical clash stronger than the visitors.
Young five-eighth Norman made amends for his costly pass by scoring in the 65th minute after winger Dale Copley had put Brisbane back in the lead five minutes earlier.
Like Norman, young Copley also atoned for a costly error just before halftime when he should have let an Adam Reynolds grubber kick go dead.
The scoreline didn’t truly indicate the closeness of the contest with Souths duo Michael Croker (42 tackles) and hooker Issac Luke (41) getting through a mountain of defensive work.
Forward Dave Taylor’s statistics of 127 metres from 14 runs to go with 37 tackles and two tackle breaks would have gone down well with Queensland selectors.
Brisbane lock Corey Parker, who played nine days after suffering a nasty leg cut in the second State of Origin game in Sydney, also pushed his claims for Wednesday week’s series decider.
Parker made 133 metres but his eye-catching 54 tackles and four tackle breaks will make it hard for Maroons selectors not to retain him.
Souths fullback Greg Inglis, who put up some monster high balls, appeared bothered by his left arm but still managed to look dangerous whenever he got his hands on the ball.
Civoniceva said he was grateful to his teammates for the win but said if they were honest with themselves they would agree they still had a lot of work to do.
“I’m grateful to the boys for tonight, it’s all nice,” he said, standing with wife Bonnie and their three children after being presented with the match ball by Lockyer.
He said when faced with taking the last kick at goal he instantly recalled Lockyer missing a similar kick from almost in front in his last game for Australia in last year’s Four Nations final.
“I instantly thought of Locky,” he said.
“I had visions of slipping over on my backside so I said to Pete (halfback Peter Wallace) ‘let’s get this done and get out of here’.”
Meesta Cool
Guest
Iam sure the players gear would sell just as well, with a special Logo on them Maybe Pink undies -- that I don't have to see.. lol,, BUT NOT Pink Shirts and shorts, it looks ridiculous, -- I agree with you Oiks, about the Broncs Canary Impersonations, This 'shirts for sale' is getting beyond a joke, I wanna see my team in Team Colours, I also think that the only time a team should change their strip is when two teams are wearing clashing colours that cause confusion.. Last night, I kept thinking there were 17 refs on the field, Imagine what a disaster that would be.. Scrap the Pink!... NRL is a MAN"S GAME!. played, enjoyed and supported in many ways by Girls/Ladies. FACT - Girls look great in PINK, Men don't!, sorry to all you guys out there that like seeing your hero's feminine side!. unfortunately, I don't like the seeing our Big guys being ridiculed by wearing such 'Girly' attire!. -- there must be many other ways our Sporting clubs can raise money and show appreciation to these worthy causes. Maybe selling PINK Beer!. -- WOW I am old fashioned!.
Bearfax
Guest
Played well,done good. Bitof a surprise, given Souths seemed to be on a roll, and I still think they are one of the three major challengers along with the Storm and the dogs (Tigers could be there if they put their mind on the job), but Brisbane obviouslsly raised their tempo to award that old war horse. He's certainly been a credit to the game and deserves the kudos. But, like Lockyer last year, I think he'll be watching the G/F from the stands. Sorry Oikee.
oikee
Guest
They sell the gear to make money Meestra Cool. I love the pink panthers, the pink socks are selling thousands for cancer money. I can understand what you are trying to say, my Broncos looking like 200 pound Canary's was not a good look either, but i am used to it now. I even like the colour yellow now.
Meesta Cool
Guest
When are we gonna get over this madness of making our boys play in PINK, it does nothing for me to see the likes of Pedro running around in Pink gear.. What next, Storm v Manly in netball skirts!.. c'mon, get real In my opinion it is a bad look for our league, it just makes our teams look 'Sissyfied'.. We all appreciate what Women do for league, most of us have dealt first hand with Breast Cancer, promote and support these causes by all means, BUT, PLEASE keep or teams in their club colours!.
oikee
Guest
I had to stay up right to the death to see Petro get his 300th gameball. Nice work Petro, your retirement is well deserved. True nice guy of the game with a good family. Did i see a little Petro amounst that lot, maybe.
Gaz
Guest
The body might be slowing up however Petero still manages to drag three or four tacklers another five or meters before they can grass him and last night was no different. Pleasing to see so many of the Brisbane crowd remaining after the game to witness presentations made by John Grant for his 300th game. Always testament of a muched loved and respected player. Also the standing ovation he received when taking his goal kick would have put the great Hazim El Maseri off his kick. Well done Petero and shame on you Wayne Bennett for letting him go, he should have been a one club player.
Jeremy
Guest
Well done Petro, you are an inspiration to the game, good luck for the rest of the season. Yes I thought of Lockyer when you made that final kick on goal.Congrats on your 300 game, well played.