South Sydney’s hopes of back-to-back premierships copped a hammering on Thursday night in an Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt-engineered 47-12 thrashing by Brisbane at Allianz Stadium.
An injury to John Sutton and another possible suspension for Issac Luke only added to the Rabbitohs’ woes.
Souths could drop to as low as seventh at the end of the NRL’s second-last round depending on other results and will have to beat arch-rivals the Sydney Roosters next week to have any hope of a top-four finish.
Sutton’s season is likely over due to a suspected broken leg, while Luke could be out until week two of the finals after being put on report for a shoulder charge.
Hunt scored three tries and Milford two as the star duo tore the Rabbitohs’ defence to shreds, almost at will.
Brisbane led 22-0 early and Souths hinted at a comeback when they clawed their way back to 28-12 with 23 minutes remaining, before two second-half tries in three minutes blew the Broncos’ lead out to 40-12 and the game was over.
Brisbane provisionally move back to the top of the NRL ladder with just their second win in five games.
Without Greg Inglis, a tired looking Souths struggled to match Brisbane’s finesse and power from the start.
An Adam Blair offload put Milford in the clear before Brisbane spread it wide for Jordan Kahu to score to open the scoring in the seventh minute.
Corey Oates then raced 95m after collecting an Adam Reynolds kick and brushing off makeshift fullback Dylan Walker as he planted the ball. From the ensuing kickoff, Milford skipped his way through the line before passing on to Jack Reed who dished off for Hunt to score.
When Kahu scored his second try in the 25th minute, the visitors led 22-0.
Chris Grevsmuhl claimed one back for Souths in the 29th minute to give them some hope.
Hunt scored his second in the 46th minute before Luke hit back 10 minutes later to the delight of the disappointing 12,036 crowd.
But Brisbane then clicked into gear again to blow out the scoreline on the back of two tries to Milford and another to Hunt in the final 16 minutes.
The win was Broncos coach Wayne Bennett’s first over his Souths’ opposite Michael Maguire in six attempts. The scoreline was a massive change to the Rabbitohs’ 36-6 win way back in round one.
Sutton limped off in the 50th minute. Luke’s report for a shot on Oates came 10 minutes later.
Justthetip
Guest
The bloke is on another planet when it comes to coaching. How many times in his career has he seen a lean patch. Cops more flack then any coach (Stuart excluded) for it. Only for time to prove hes a genius, no apologies needed. His ability to mentally guide his troops in the testing times is remarkable. Can't see who would pip him as the greatest sporting coach Australia has ever seen.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Milford has been terrific for the Broncos - you can see why the Raiders were so desperate to keep him. And I think he makes a better 5/8 than a full back. You are right about Austin - he is a terrific running 5/8, can score a try but will need to expand his kicking and passing game before he can be rated as a great 5/8. Lots of potential though. And I like his competitive spirit. He is still a work in progress. If the Raiders had to lose Milford I'm pretty happy as a Raiders supporter to have recruited Austin and Hodgson. With Sezer coming next season plus Wighton's continued development at full back that is a serious redevelopment of the Canberra spine in a little over 12 months. I've been very impressed by the Broncos this season. They have been very consistent and play very well as a team. Good halves, good defence, good strike around the park. They will be serious contenders in the finals.
Jay C
Roar Guru
I dont think he was run down? I think Walker must have been back because he came at him from the frontish/sideish direction. Could be wrong. No one else was near him though. I thought he would get run down in 40 by half the team to be honest. He has got the most painful looking stride. If ever there was an opposite of RTS running technique it would be Oates. I love Bennett's reaction when asked why he was playing the backrower on the wing. And he just goes, "Well, nobody told me he was a backrower, I thought he was a winger so we played him there, then someone tells me." I have to admit, that round 1 loss did hit hard. But I had spent the offseason repeating the mantra "Benny knows best" because I was determined not to try and second guess the old fella.
Jay C
Roar Guru
They also have a lot less structure at the Tigers. He is obviously someone that like to play within a structure. He seems to be loving it in Brisbane. $ per pound I couldn't go past him as buy of the season. I know everyone is raving about Austin, but realistically his game has fallen over the past month. His 5th tackle options were never GREAT. He can score tries and is solid in defence but when it counted he was nowhere to be found. Statistically I think Milf has been better than Austin. People like the underdog story of Austin though which is fair enough. I know who I would prefer.
Jay C
Roar Guru
The TV ratings were enourmous though. I think it was the third highest watched NRL match of the year. Can't have everything I suppose. We just need to make sure that the money lost on admission is more than made up for in TV dollars.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Oates was run down...he just showed amazing strength to first fend Walker and then hold him off for about 25 metres. Hunt has all the skills...he doesn't take a game by the scruff of the neck when the broncos are down to be compared to the great halves. It really was funny reading the garbage after the round 1 loss. Broncs have definitely 'overachieved' in what was looking like a rebuilding season.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Looks like he's a one trick pony... Maybe two...chicken wing and rolling pin. It was blatantly obvious that with Stewart and Sutton in the backrow instead of S Burgess and Te'o that souths would have to vary their game. Early in the season it looked like they had but it fell away. They're not dead yet but it will take a great coaching effort and a lot of heart to turn this around.
The Barry
Roar Guru
He only comes out to play when it's sunny...
The Barry
Roar Guru
Maybe a little bit. He has been outstanding though. I've said long and loud that while his first season at the tigers was a stinker his next two were actually pretty good. Tigers tried to play him as a wide running backrower and it's not his go.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Con - as always you are a good sport and a gentleman. Humble in victory and noble in defeat.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Looks like it's going to be a roosters v Broncos grand final. Let's just play it now...
Brett
Guest
Souths have more talent in their roster than most sides in the comp, it's their discipline that has let them down all year. The Titans and Knights could argue that they have a mediocre roster, but not Souths. Great win by Brisbane down in Sydney.
Ginger Meggs
Guest
What has happened to Souths? As Bill Clinton would say "It's the coach, stupid". Rugby league is a simple game but not so simple that you only need to have one game plan. And Souths game plan is as monotonous as Maguire's weekly mantra that they are going to take lessons from that (losing) game and get it right at training etc. Irregardless of the strengths and weaknesses of the opposing team the Souths forwards are asked to go out every week, take the ball one off the ruck, and charge straight into the meat of the opposing pack until they grind them in the dust, or, as happened too many times this year, they were so knocked about playing six men against the opposition 13 that the game was gone. No Souths forward has increased their skills under his tutelage. The Burgess boys are a lot fitter than they were but they rarely get a pass from a teammate who is moving, just one pass off the ruck and straight into an opposition who know they are coming. Even Inglis has taken to charging through the ruck like a forward to try to even things up. What a waste of a superb footballer. Eternally grateful that Maguire's game plan got the 43 year monkey off Souths back last year but it only worked because he had a player in Sam Burgess who could play that game for 80 minutes and prevail. Now he has a team who are worn out and heading nowhere. With Inglis missing and Souths forward's lack of go forward their lack of pace at the halves and lack of penetration in the backline has also been exposed. They have lots to learn from last week' game.
Maroon Blood
Guest
Never mind knocking on the door, Blair has knocked the door down as the best buy AND the most improved forward in the NRL. I may be sounding like a broken record in this regard but the bloke has been tremendous. The difference he has made to the Broncos pack is reminiscent of how Lazarus turned the average Broncs pack from 1991 to a premiership winning pack the year later. Too much?
langerthebronco
Guest
3 HATS???
Maroon Blood
Guest
Never mind Brisbane, play the game in Perth and we would have packed out NIB Stadium. Just saying.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Lets not build the Broncos (or any team for that matter) for beating the Bunnies! The Bunnies are a depleted and a beaten side! They do not and have not got the talent or the players that the top 8 teams have, they have shown all this year that they are hot and cold and their skill level(s) have gotten worst as the season went on, they have been beaten by all the bottom teams except the Knights, so how demoralising must that be and what does that say about Souths? I wont answer that!
steveng
Roar Rookie
“Spot On" and Mage has got to take some of the blame for Souths rabble and miserable 2015 season, he has not utilised his stars front the "Holden Cup" all year and he has let Souths continue on a downward spiral as each round went on. Souths have no chance of making anything out of the 2015 season and GI should (as you've said) stay at home and let his knee heal for next year. Very disappointing to see Souths crumble and be so ineffective at this time of the season. The only way out for Souths is to do what Manly have done and to put a fine toothed combe through their players and reshuffle/sack some of the players in the team for 2016. Very disappointing and its very heartbreaking to see my Rabbits be so overwhelmed and be so decisively beaten, week in and week out and throughout all this year!
SpongeBob
Guest
Well, all I know is when you have all the football, all the momentum (which also means the opposition is getting taken back well over 10m while you're going back less than 10m and being granted worlds slowest play the balls allowed) and you still only score 2 tries, both of which were off errors... that's hardly "might as well give them the trophy now it's all over" material!
cedric
Guest
yep, after round 1 the bunnies were going back to back and Wayne and his broncos were hopeless. Don't forget after 5? rounds the Knights were awesome! Alot has changed, thats footy!!!!!!!!!