Brisbane has celebrated Darius Boyd’s return by snatching an 8-5 NRL win over a depleted Penrith at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
All eyes may have been on Boyd on his return from a pre-season Achilles injury but the name on everyone’s lips at fulltime was Corey Oates.
Halfback Ben Hunt went from villain to hero in the dying seconds for Brisbane after setting up Oates for the match-winning try.
>>>See how all the action unfolded in our live blog.
Hunt missed a 77th minute field goal attempt that would have locked scores up from dead in front and looked to have another shot two minutes later.
Instead Hunt chanced his arm, a gamble that paid off when Oates scored to bring the 24,566-strong crowd to their feet.
Panthers fullback Matt Moylan may have been playing with a broken hand and dislocated fingers but he still grasped an opportunity to snatch the result, kicking a 76th minute field goal that set up Penrith’s 5-4 lead.
Moylan racked up all of Penrith’s points, sinking penalties either side of halftime including a 56th minute kick that locked up the scores at 4-4 after a Josh McGuire high shot.
Brisbane had their chances before Hunt’s heroics – returning back-rower Alex Glenn was held up in the 65th minute and Jack Reed lost the ball over the line four minutes later.
The Broncos appeared to be sparked into action in the 60th minute when Panthers reserve Tyrone Peachey was placed on report for a lifting tackle on Adam Blair that almost sparked a melee.
The ladder leading Broncos have now won seven of their past eight games.
Penrith fought hard despite a long casualty list even after welcoming back Jamie Soward (back) and Elijah Taylor (knee).
Brisbane led 4-2 at halftime after Jordan Kahu broke the deadlock in the 36th minute when Hunt and Anthony Milford combined to send the winger over down the left sideline.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary was clearly baffled when Moylan was penalised after appearing to clean up a Boyd grubber late in the second half.
Moylan gathered the bouncing ball outside the playing field well behind the in-goal but was penalised for not allowing the ball to bounce, therefore ensuring it had gone dead.
It gave Brisbane a repeat set from a goal-line drop out as they started to get a late roll on.
“It was one of the most ridiculous things I have seen in football,” Cleary said of the official’s call.
“There’s no common sense at all.
“I am not sure of the rule but for them (officials) to highlight it like that, it’s a massive change in a very tight game.”
Broncos coach Wayne Bennett said he was aware of the rule after being caught out by it last season while coaching Newcastle.
“They came to spoil, not play,” he said of Penrith.
“It’s pretty unique what they did. I am pleased we hung on for as long as we did.
“It came down to one big play (by Hunt).”
Albo
Guest
Or you could thank the ref for not calling a strip on the Moylan' dropped ball" and regather on halfway with a minute to go, that handed the Bronos that one last chance ! Swings & Roundabouts lets hope ?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Time to get new friends :-)
Roger Roger
Guest
He blatantly loses it into Kahu's knee, which stabilises it, and then he regathers. https://mediacdn.fanatix.com/view.php?newsitem_id=107405933
afl
Guest
Broncos need to stop playing boring football Because it will be a matter of time they will start losing those type of games
Jay C
Roar Guru
Just that I think Hunt is more similar to Alfie than Lockyer. I know everyone says Johns, but I see Alf. (Probably because that is who has coached him since pretty much forever)
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Better yet? I'll disagree with you there!
Jay C
Roar Guru
Or better yet, Alfie Bloody Langer!
Jay C
Roar Guru
Ssshhhhhhh
Jay C
Roar Guru
Yeah. Rocks and diamonds is right though. But that's what I love about him. He is so unpredictable. He and Shaun Johnson remind me of what half backs should be. I love Cronk, but really, do we want to watch perfection or de we want to see perfect chaos. My vote is with chaos.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Or Darren bloody Lockyer.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Bloody hell - second time in a month that Hunt almost loses you the game..and then wins it for you. I stand corrected on the rocks and diamonds thing.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Jay C - I'm surprised when teams get momentum and get over the line but know they haven't grounded the ball that they don't tell the ref no try and play on quickly rather than give the defensive line time to get set. Probably shows how big a lottery the video ref is...
The Prize_Man
Roar Pro
Couldn't disagree more on Reed. For years he has been tackling like that, shows them the space and then brings them down with a classic side-on one-on-one tackle. Rarely if ever does his man beat him on the outside. As for having no faith in maranta do you? i certainly dont. he couldn't score a half chance to save his life. Always he runs 5 metres then steps inside and surrenders to stop going out. Do you remember when Hoffman was playing outside Reed? how many tip on try assists did reed provide? It's not reed that has a passing problem. As for dropping him for Copley, Copley is better in attack but much, much worse in defence. With copley you lose more in defence than you gain in attack. Hence why maranta has been picked in front of him all year. Kahu needs to stay on the wing because he is our best under the high ball and also the only player in the back line with a bit of speed.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Some musings.. - Soward was a little bit off the pace, can't expect too much though as he's just coming back from his surgery. - Teams need to get used to the Broncos running the ball with a 1 point deficit. - Peachy should surely have been yellowed at least, he'll probably miss 6 weeks for that tackle.
Kowalski
Guest
Just watched the match and that last set by Brisbane was excellent. I think they can thank K.Nikorima for the win. As good as the Panthers defence was, he found and opening and exploited it running down midfield and offloading to Milf. Setting up the soon to be winning try. Like what I'm seeing from Kodi.
Bulldog
Guest
I agree. I thought it was a terrible game. Lots of errors from both sides. Neither team were very convincing in terms of premiership chances. At least Penrith can blame injuries.
MJB
Guest
What has impressed me about Brisbane this year is their ability to close out a tight game. Ben Hunt is so dangerous in the last few minutes you'd think he was an All Black.
MJB
Guest
Indeed, Nine's 'B-team' is absolutely dreadful. They make Phil Gould's annoying rambling look like the coherent opinions of a genius by comparison.
Jay C
Roar Guru
I dunno. That was real dumb from Peachey. Lucky that Blair wasn't seriously injured or he would have probably been looking at a year long ban. If that isn't a send off, it makes a hard case for sending anyone off. Here's another gripe of mine. Sending no tries up to be reviewed. Majorly advantages the defending team. As far as I am concerned, a referee should only be sending something upstairs if he thinks it is a try. Otherwise make the call and move on. Looking forward to the Broncos playing the Bulldogs when it rolls around.
Jay C
Roar Guru
I can see where you are coming from. Brisbane appeared to have no go forward for most of the match. Blair was getting carted back 5 metres on every run. Reed never passes. I don't know if he has no faith in his outside man or what it is. In fact the only time he passed, poor Maranta had two guys on him and had to surrender. I would just about refuse to play outside him. He was good in defence last night, but most of his good tackles only looked good because he let his man run around him (seems to be his strategy). Maybe put him on the wing outside Hodges and move Kahu to left centre with Maranta. Or just drop him. Honestly I think Copley does a better job in attack and has a bit of speed.