His ex-digger dad may not have been happy but Broncos prop Josh McGuire was all smiles as his runaway second half try helped inspire Brisbane’s 28-16 NRL Anzac Day win over Parramatta at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
A stellar 95m try by five-eighth Anthony Milford capped Brisbane’s sixth win in seven games in front of a 34,398-strong crowd at Suncorp Stadium.
But it was Queensland Origin hopeful McGuire who provided the early second half spark with an effort that would have almost brought a smile to the face of his father, 30-year military man Adam – almost.
McGuire’s dad revealed before the kickoff that he was a mad Eels fan and life-long NSW Origin supporter.
But even he would have been tempted to cheer on his son from the stands in the 48th minute as McGuire pounced on a John Folau spilt ball and ran 30m to score and extend their 8-4 halftime lead.
It highlighted a stellar game by McGuire who may be a Kangaroos bolter when the trans-Tasman team is named on Sunday night after his 38-tackle, 127m effort.
Hat-trick hero Bureta Faraimo kept the Eels in the match, scoring his second off a classy Corey Norman pass in the 55th to limit the damage to 14-10 before a Corey Parker penalty.
Then Brisbane’s Kodi Nikorima surprised everyone – including himself, no doubt – when he looked to rue a golden chance, only for his last gasp backflick pass to set up Milford’s 62nd minute try.
Faraimo secured his hat-trick in the 70th minute moments after Eels skipper Tim Mannah was somehow held up by Nikorima before Milford’s late heroics iced the result.
Brisbane led 8-4 at halftime thanks to a 15th minute Jack Reed try and two Parker penalties.
The only blight for McGuire was being placed on report for a 15th minute high shot on Brad Takairangi.
Eels lock Anthony Watmough was also booked for high contact on sensational Broncos fullback Lachlan Maranta in the 58th minute.
NQ Cowboy
Guest
Jackson Henry, if Hodges, Inglis and Slater are all fit for Origin, then Chambers will be on one wing with Gagai most likely to be the other winger if Boyd is still out. Valentine Holmes, Edrick Lee and Copely would be in the next group vying for a wing spot with Maranta and Oates no chance.
Carlos
Guest
I thought the Eels were a bit unlucky in this game...7-2 penalty count certainly didn't help.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Maranta is starting to look like a Sam Perrett type player. A guy who goes about his business without the flash of a superstar but is rarely left out of a team. I think there's just a couple too many in front of Oates for a spot on the wing (atm you'd think Maranta and Copley would be two of them and they're on the same team) as he continues to fill out it'll be harder to keep him on the wing as well. He's great at recovering the footy despite his size and the fact he's a second rower, but I just don't see him getting a run ahead of the rather rich number of outside backs at QLDs disposal atm. I think Hunts just out of form and down on confidence. However he's still creating opportunities they just haven't been coming off. He'll just plug along with what he's doing and once he's creating tries to his outside men he'll start running again. (Although it could be argued that if he had run more often last night he would've created more opportunities.) he isn't playing badly by any stretch though just been a little unlucky here and there so I'm not too worried. He did have a sour head on last night though.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Yeah. Interesting isn't it. I really like tough players who are smart players (particularly if they're not as physically gifted as some of their peers). Maranta is both in my opinion. Are you guys looking at Oates for Origin on the wing? I know it might be left field, but to me he seems like he has the right temperament for it...in additionally to being big and agile. The only question I would have would be his high- ball skills...but I don't remember him being too ordinary on that. Ben Hunt needs to pick his game up though. I'm a big fan, but he only ran once last night, and it was in the last ten minutes. He actually looks like he's having a massive sulk about something? I think he has some of the best attacking instincts I've ever seen, but he didn't seem to be overly interested in even looking at the defensive line last night, let alone anticipating their responses.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
I never thought I'd see the words "sensational, fullback, and Lachlan Maranta" in the same sentence. I'm pleasantly surprised by that.
Adsa
Guest
On ya Josh, Maroon jersey is awaiting.