Brisbane Broncos 8
Melbourne Storm 15
A low scoring and at times dull and boring game at Suncorp Stadium has seen the Melbourne Storm take a hard earned seven point win over the Brisbane Broncos who looked badly out of touch heading into the finals next weekend.
The loss for the Broncos confirms that the Sydney Roosters will take out the minor premiership regardless of what happens tomorrow night in Friday Night Football when they take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium.
The Broncos really struggled to get into their rhythm in attack throughout the game and therefore only scored the single try which came when the game was already looking lost after a pair of penalty goals in the first half.
Anthony Milford struggled to control the team and their defence didn’t hold up to usual standards meaning the Storm were able to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Some of their forwards did however stand up and keep them within reaching distance.
The Storm meanwhile relied heavily on Cameron Munster in both attack and defence and he had an incredible game in a man of the match performance. Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith had their usual controlling influence on the game and Tohu Harris was very strong right throughout the game.
The Broncos opened the scoring with a penalty goal early in proceedings, which after they had been on the attack for a period of time maybe set the scene for the evening, in that they were going to score points whenever they got the opportunity.
Following the penalty goal Kurt Mann managed to score for the Storm in a very soft try on the left hand side in the Storm’s first real attacking chance.
The Storm had some more chances before giving away another penalty and the Broncos would level the score with another penalty goal.
Right on the stroke of half time Will Chambers would score off the back of a perfectly executed set play and hand the Storm the lead at half time.
At halftime it was the Storm up 8 points to 4.
The second half descended into an arm wrestle with neither team able to take a grasp on the game. Plenty of opportunities were squandered by both sides and you have to wonder where they sit heading into the finals next weekend.
The Storm scored the first try of the second half through Kurt Mann who completed a double. A kick was put up, allowed to bounce and then recovered by Tohu Harris who slung a pass to Mann. He was able to score easily and take the game to a 10 point difference, at which point was looking quite a stretch for the Broncos.
The Broncos would score their only try of the game in the 64th minute through some ad lib play with Jack Reed scoring in the corner with a brilliant offload from Justin Hodges setting it up.
The Storm would put the icing on the cake with a field goal to Cooper Cronk in the 70th minute, taking the lead to seven points and one that would never be challenged despite a couple of squandered chances for the Broncos late in the clash.
Next week the Broncos will host the Cowboys in the second qualifying final whilst the Storm will take on either the Roosters, Dragons or Sea Eagles depending on other results this weekend.
In the end this evening though, the Storm too strong for the Broncos in an arm wrestle.
The Brisbane Broncos host the Melbourne Storm in a crucial top eight clash at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:45pm (AEST).
The Broncos have a chance to claim top spot tonight and potentially the minor premiership if the Rabbitohs can upset the Roosters in Sydney on Friday.
For the Storm, it’s also a crucial match as they have the chance to secure a top four finish, pending the result between the Sharks and Sea Eagles on Sunday.
Simply, no matter which way you look at this match, it’s high-stakes footy!
To only add to the spectacle, both sides enter this match with wind in their sails following wins in Round 25. The Broncos obliterated the Rabbitohs last Thursday, scoring some of the season’s most impressive tries on their way to a 47-12 victory.
The Storm’s win was less of a statement on the scoreboard than the Broncos’, as they ran out a 14-6 victory against the third-placed Cowboys at AAMI Park. However, any win against a top four side is extremely heartening with finals just around the bend.
On the team front, Lachlan Maranta replaces Jordan Kahu on the wing for the Cowboys. Jarrod Wallace will start in the back row, replacing Alex Glenn who will miss with a suspension.
For the Storm there is just the single change, with Tim Glasby and Jordan McLean swapping between the bench and front row.
With incredible form in recent weeks, and a home crowd cheering them on, the Broncos enter this match as relatively short favourites, however the clash on the park for the Storm means they are never without a shot.
Prediction: The Broncos on home soil, and with any luck a minor premiership to chase down will be too strong for the Broncos in a close one.
Broncos by 4.
Will it be the Broncos or Storm that finish off their regular season with a win?
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:45pm (AEST) to find out. If you are following the action live, be sure to share your thoughts on the match in the comments below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
steveng
Roar Rookie
Thanks for nothing Bulldog, lol, I don't want you to agree with what I post, I call it as I see it. And my main issue(s) all year have been the refs and their 'inconsistencies' and being the main factor(s) of teams winning or losing. That is what I'm pointing out about last nights game, I'm not a Storm supporter (far from it) but what I saw last night was a typical game where the referees could have (and would have) turned a game around with their decisions or lack of them. All I want to see is consistency and not referees determining games with their consistent, numerous, niggly penalties (at crucial times in a game) where either team can win a game or lose a game. And yes 'Bronco Juggernaut' Souths might be, but it aint over until the fat lady sings, and you could be eating your words. But Souths have been shocking and they look worst as the Broncos in making up the numbers.
Daniel Miller
Guest
Your great Scotty. Love your commentary. Hopefully we will see you commentating the dragons game on fox soon. Matt Russell is terrible so is Joel Caine and Brett Kimmorley. Love you, from Daniel Miller. ps. GOOOOO THE MIGHTTYYYYY DRAGONSSSSSSSS. OH WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN LOVE YOU AGAIN. xxxxxxxx
Renegade
Roar Guru
Actually mate - if we snag 4th spot... I'd be very confident going into the first final. Gotta worry about Manly this week first though ;)
Muzz
Guest
We will flog the 1 dimensional Sharks when it counts and their supporters know it : )
Bronco Juggernaut
Guest
Broncos would have beat Melbourne last night if Hunt, Kahu and Glenn were playing. No recognized halfback for the final 60 minutes. They did well to lose by just 7. Not worried one bit. Just hope we come up against Souffs again sometime in the finals so we can win by 40 again. Souffs, now there is a team that is making up the numbers.
Bronco Juggernaut
Guest
Not if they play the sharks.
Samtwocan
Guest
Roosters wont get beaten again this year .
Bulldog
Guest
Incredible crowd numbers for a Thursday. Got to love QLD supporters. Looks like Broncos might become Thursday night specials for FTA next year.
Bulldog
Guest
Steveng - it is not often I agree with anything you post on this site but I do agree with you on this one. Seemed to me like the Broncos where getting the old "rub of the green" calls in this one. NRL must want the Sharks in the top four...
Beergardener
Roar Pro
Are you kidding me?what game were you watching? Storm markers were offside all night. Maxwell was wearing his purple Jersey last night
Kowalski
Guest
Thanks mate. Just read a report on it. Boy they missed him!
SpongeBob
Guest
The loss Brisbane needed to have before their big flurry to the GF. The disappointing thing will be versing the Cowboys yet again - the NRL never stops. Their obvious hate of QLD dominance has again seen the stars align and one of QLD teams must get beaten and most likely knocked out of the finals once more. Too bad the Rabbitohs can't grab the lettuce these days even when it's golden plattered up. Perhaps they can get the Eagles a bump, a coachless premiership team, that would get some media attention!
SpongeBob
Guest
Says the team that got rolled by the Knights just the other week! It's pretty obvious when the Storm don't control the ruck - which luckily with the accountant they seem to get away with murder so it happens all the time - they can control all the possession and field position and win without really attacking or defending that well. When they're penalised and the ruck is fast they really struggle to compete these days. Storm's best hope is for some rain, nothing like a dour slow game of football to suit their current style.
Muzz
Guest
I was thinking more along the lines of him moving to Bondi for 2 years and more so advocating for a loan system but i take your point James.
jamesb
Guest
Why can't Munster play centre for a year or two, then take over once Slater retires. Billy began his career as a centre with Robbie Ross at fullback.
Muzz
Guest
Munster is quality and too good to be playing feeder club footy. Shame there is no loan system in place. Perhaps Slater will play 5/8th.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Ref Maxwell and the other ref were trying very hard to give this game to the Broncos, but the Storms defence was just too good and too up in their face all game. One contrasting example(s) were, when Milford kicked the ball and he was knocked over the Storm were penalised for nothing, and soon after you had a blatant 'head high' and the Storm player was hurt by Hodges and the video ref looked at it (did nothing) and it was called 5th tackle and play on. There were a few other incidents that for the life of me I couldn't understand and lucky that the Storm were so superior in defence because if they were not, the Broncos would have won. A good win by the Storm and the Broncos (for mine) will be just making up the numbers.
Stu
Guest
Agreed. Broncos. Without the refs they wouldn't have been in the game
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me for The Roar's coverage of Thursday Night Football and I hope that you enjoyed the coverage as the Brisbane Broncos went down to the Melbourne Storm by 7. That wraps up my involvement for the weekend of NRL however I'll be back next weekend as The Roar brings you live coverage of every game from the NRL finals series. Before then I'll be back with the Vuelta a Espana, cycling's third grand tour tomorrow and Saturday evening. Have a good weekend!
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME: Brisbane Broncos 8 Melbourne Storm 15 A low scoring and at times dull and boring game at Suncorp Stadium has seen the Melbourne Storm take a hard earned seven point win over the Brisbane Broncos who looked badly out of touch heading into the finals next weekend. The loss for the Broncos confirms that the Sydney Roosters will take out the minor premiership regardless of what happens tomorrow night in Friday Night Football when they take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium. The Broncos really struggled to get into their rhythm in attack throughout the game and therefore only scored the single try which came when the game was already looking lost after a pair of penalty goals in the first half. Anthony Milford struggled to control the team and their defence didn't hold up to usual standards meaning the Storm were able to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Some of their forwards did however stand up and keep them within reaching distance. The Storm meanwhile relied heavily on Cameron Munster in both attack and defence and he had an incredible game in a man of the match performance. Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith had their usual controlling influence on the game and Tohu Harris was very strong right throughout the game. The Broncos opened the scoring with a penalty goal early in proceedings, which after they had been on the attack for a period of time maybe set the scene for the evening, in that they were going to score points whenever they got the opportunity. Following the penalty goal Kurt Mann managed to score for the Storm in a very soft try on the left hand side in the Storm’s first real attacking chance. The Storm had some more chances before giving away another penalty and the Broncos would level the score with another penalty goal. Right on the stroke of half time Will Chambers would score off the back of a perfectly executed set play and hand the Storm the lead at half time. At halftime it was the Storm up 8 points to 4. The second half descended into an arm wrestle with neither team able to take a grasp on the game. Plenty of opportunities were squandered by both sides and you have to wonder where they sit heading into the finals next weekend. The Storm scored the first try of the second half through Kurt Mann who completed a double. A kick was put up, allowed to bounce and then recovered by Tohu Harris who slung a pass to Mann. He was able to score easily and take the game to a 10 point difference, at which point was looking quite a stretch for the Broncos. The Broncos would score their only try of the game in the 64th minute through some ad lib play with Jack Reed scoring in the corner with a brilliant offload from Justin Hodges setting it up. The Storm would put the icing on the cake with a field goal to Cooper Cronk in the 70th minute, taking the lead to seven points and one that would never be challenged despite a couple of squandered chances for the Broncos late in the clash. Next week the Broncos will host the Cowboys in the second qualifying final whilst the Storm will take on either the Roosters, Dragons or Sea Eagles depending on other results this weekend. In the end this evening though, the Storm too strong for the Broncos in an arm wrestle.