The Brisbane Broncos have continued their dominance at the top of the table with a 22-point victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
It looked like Corey Oates went over after sixth minutes with Milford sending him through however, the decision was overturned with Thaiday obstructing Adam Reynolds.
It didn’t take long for Brisbane to get the first points with Corey Parker kicking a penalty goal to put the Broncos in front by two after 11 minutes.
Souths had plenty of opportunities to score however they were unable to step up when it matters with Kodi Nikorima scoring off the scrum after 34 minutes in the first try of the match.
The Broncos were over again in three minutes with Anthony Milford and Kodi Nikorima working together to get Ben Hunt over the line and put Brisbane in front 14-0 at half-time.
The Rabbitohs got into the game early in the second half after Greg Inglis scored after 52 minutes with Bryson Goodwin putting Souths within a converted try by kicking a penalty goal four minutes later following incidents placing both Joe Ofahengaue and Adam Blair on report.
Corey Oates got his try after 63 minutes after Brisbane spent the majority of the game attacking down the right-hand side.
The tries kept on coming for the Broncos with Jordan Kahu scoring in the 70th minute after Ben Hunt kicked from the scrum base at the other end of the field with Corey Parker following up three minutes later.
Souths had an attempt at a consolation try toward the end but it was denied as Kirisome Auva’a ran the decoy putting Jack Reed out of the play.
A brilliant effort by Brisbane sees them stay on the top of the competition with a 30-8 victory.
Corey Parker and Josh McGuire led the way up front for the Broncos with Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt putting in a strong showing in the halves.
The Rabbitohs now have a 6-day turnaround before they face the Wests Tigers while the Broncos will play next Sunday afternoon against the Sharks.
Final score:
Brisbane Broncos 30
South Sydney Rabbitohs 8
The South Sydney Rabbitohs have a massive challenge on their hands when they meet ladder-leading Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium. Join The Roar from 7:50pm (AEST) for live coverage.
What a start to 2016 Brisbane have had!
The Broncos are setting the pace, having lost just once in the opening seven rounds, to sit atop the table, alongside the reigning premiers, North Queensland.
Wayne Bennett’s team are coming off a massive 53-0 victory over the Knights, and will be looking to run in a similar score against a lacklustre Rabbitohs outfit.
Anthony Milford has so far taken the reins for Brisbane, with Ben Hunt taking a back seat. Corey Oates has put a fantastic case to the Queensland selectors, while Matt Gillett and Josh McGuire are two of the form forwards of 2016.
Alex Glenn is absent tonight, with former Bulldog Herman Ese’ese to make his Broncos debut. The Kiwi prop spent the beginning of the year with Souths Logan Magpies, and now has a huge chance to cement a spot as a regular first grader, having already received huge wraps from Bennett.
Michael Maguire’s Rabbitohs have struggled after a strong opening two rounds to the season, with the side who were previously one of the most feared in the competition failing to put up a fight.
This was especially evident last week against the Cowboys, when the ‘Pride of the League’ received a 44-18 flogging in Townsville. Souths’ forwards failed to step up, with the younger Burgess brothers George and Thomas struggling to hold on to the ball.
The twins need to put on a big show against a tough Broncos pack, while Adam Reynolds must steer the ship and involve Greg Inglis as much as possible. The club captain has been quiet at the back so far in 2016, and is at serious risk of losing the No.1 jersey for Queensland and Australia to his opposite number, Darius Boyd.
Theses two sides have clashed a total of 23 times, with Brisbane dominating for a total of 15 wins to Souths’ seven – one meeting was drawn.
In the opening match of the 2015 season the cardinal and myrtle got up 36-6, however when the two clubs met again in Round 25 the Broncos came away with a 47-12 victory.
Prediction
Brisbane will continue to extend the gap between themselves and the rest of the competition with a big win over Souths.
Broncos by 20.
Join The Roar from 7:50pm (AEST) for score updates and debate in our live blog.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Jake; he's the incumbent because about 5 guys were njured...
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Here he is. Welcome back. Personally, I don’t think Brisbane are putting in the best performances in the comp - meaning if we use this as the basis for premiership favourites, I disagree with them topping the list - but I suppose you could argue that they're humming along in second gear, and could go to third and fourth if necessary. While there is a fair bit of unknown there, its a reasonable argument. For mine the Cows are putting in the best performances in the league at the moment. I reckon they would have put 50 in the Rabbits last night. But, the question is whether or not this is their peak. I know Cows fans would probably say that it isn’t...I'm just not so sure myself. If the above is true, then you could also say that the Cows losing that game to Brisbane a while ago (despite almost winning it about three times) was more an indication of Brisbane's capability than NQ's. Because I thought the Cows were clearly the better team that night, but if 1) that's as good as it gets 2) if Brisbane have a couple of levels in them, and 3) if Brisbane are building to September, then year, maybe that's why the premiership odds are as they are. I did think Souths beat themselves last night, but a 7-1 record speaks for itself doesn’t it.
Long Black
Roar Rookie
Sleiman Azizi said: Consistency, for mine, is the big issue. 100% true, but JT, Morgan/Hunt, Milford > Norman, Foran/Maloney,Townsend. The difference in the Qld teams consistency is massive, but despite the Eels and Sharks halves being in great form, the Qld guys are a step above.
Fight fair
Guest
Like Johnston Thurston did?
star struck
Guest
Reynolds certainly did.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Broncos are looking dynastic guys. Still way too early in the year to get over excited though. Bennett should be just about a shoe-in for coach of the year but will no doubt lose to one of the also rans that managed to take their squad from 13th to 7th. Oh, and Reed should play wing outside of Kahu. That way you don't have to pass.
Joel
Guest
You kidding, the Cows have another gear, Thurston has been quite so far, he is letting the likes of Morgo, Coote and Granville find another level, he will start contributing towards the end of the season or when he is needed.
steveng
Roar Rookie
All the Rabbitohs players should have touched the ref tonight as Maxwell was as hopeless as they were lol
Jake
Guest
Bolter? Not sure the incumbent half can be called a bolter.
Emcie
Roar Guru
I think the ref's allowed to game descend into a much grubbier game then it had to be
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Correct, the match review committee will find it tomorrow. He'll probably cop one week for it.
Emcie
Roar Guru
The problem with reed is that he can pass in structured play but off the cuff he seems to second guess himself. Seems to have the same issue in defence
Emcie
Roar Guru
Cowboys look like burnout might be an issue given their intensity and the amount of rep players in their team, but like you said, broncos seem to be cruising. Knowing Bennett, it's probably a deliberate move to keep the team as fresh and injury free until at least origin
Model 67
Guest
Could someone please confirm or correct me if I am wrong that Adam Reynolds placed his hand on the referee in a similar fashion to Sam Mckendry immediately after Brisbane scored their first try that was disallowed tonight, thanks.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yes, Jack Reed had an ordinary game but usually he's the play maker and sets up so many tries for Oates and he also set the first try (which wasn't a try) for Oates.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Eels look like the only team that even comes close and who knows how that's going to play out
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Not sure. But other teams are certainly taking their time to ease into the season. Broncos and Cowboys are firing. To me it looks like the Broncos could easily step up a gear. Not so sure about the Cows. Everything has played out perfectly for them on injuries, consistent team selection. A little adversity and it it will be interesting to see how they cope.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Consistency, for mine, is the big issue.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Nailed it and its sooooo frustrating to watch referees like Maxwell, Sutton and Badger deciding games with their stupid and consistently unnecessary penalties that decide so many games and take away from the true spectacle that RL should be!
Bronco Juggernaut
Guest
Ordinary game A few things Why an earth did Souths players keep staying down trying to milk penalties and get them but when it was Brisbane they didn't get them, Milford tripped, countless late shots. Both teams played dirty but if it was equal in that area I wouldn't be complaining. Refereeing was rubbish for both teams. Maxwell is a dunce. How many times did Roberts get checked in running tonight? Also, jack reed. He needs to go, either that or swap sides with Roberts. Rubbish defence, can't pass, every play that looks like a try is on the play dies with reed. He's just not first grade quality. Should have won by 40 tonight but reed bombed about 3 certain tries on his own.