Almost two years to the day since Brisbane sacked him, Anthony Griffin enjoyed a triumphant Suncorp Stadium return on Friday night as Penrith jumped into the NRL top eight with an upset 31-12 win over the Broncos.
With a shock victory in front of 30,878 fans, Griffin celebrated his first game with the Penrith reins in Brisbane since being told by the Broncos in July 2014 that he would be replaced by Wayne Bennett
Penrith (9-9 record) overwhelmed a flat Brisbane by five tries to two to move to seventh on the ladder.
Griffin extends his remarkable run against Bennett, enjoying eight wins in 10 games against sides coached by the master mentor.
That includes their round-three 23-22 upset at Penrith.
The sixth-placed Broncos (10-8) have slumped to their sixth loss in eight games and are in danger of stumbling in the finals race.
It was only Brisbane’s second loss in seven games against Penrith at Suncorp Stadium.
It also marked back-to-back home defeats for the Broncos.
Penrith led 18-0 at the main break before piling on another two second-half tries including a 79th-minute effort by lock Trent Merrin.
Former Blues forward Merrin celebrated his 150th NRL game, running a remarkable 249m.
Queensland winger Corey Oates was the worst offender in the first half for a butterfingered Brisbane.
He knocked on in the lead-up to two of Penrith’s three first-half tries and dropped the ball with the line open in the 20th minute.
Penrith centre Waqa Blake scored a controversial opening try.
Blake appeared to knock forward a Ben Hunt kick, only to regather and run 100m to score as disbelieving Broncos players looked on.
England’s Zak Hardaker – the 2015 UK Man of Steel on loan from Leeds – scored his first try for Penrith in his fourth NRL game, running off Matt Moylan in the 39th minute.
Brisbane’s display was summed up by a Hunt goal-line dropout going out on the full, leading to Penrith’s 35th-minute penalty goal.
Blake was helped off with concussion in the 27th minute after landing heavily contesting a kick.
Brisbane prop Josh McGuire might be in trouble for a 26th-minute high shot on Penrith winger Josh Mansour.
Griffin insisted he did not get any personal satisfaction in getting another win over Bennett.
“It gives me more satisfaction how our side is gelling together, just watching them go set for set against a quality side like that for 80 minutes,” he said.
And he didn’t want to make any bold calls about Penrith’s finals chances.
“I am not sure what is going to happen in the next six weeks,” he said.
Bennett wasn’t reaching for the panic button despite their worrying display.
“We couldn’t build any pressure, simple as that,” he said.
Asked if he was concerned about missing the NRL finals, Brisbane captain Corey Parker said: “That is not even on my radar – that’s seven weeks away.”
Joel
Roar Rookie
Te Maire Martin comes back for Penrith soon at 5/8. I'm really looking forward to seeing Cleary and Martin together in the halves
Joel
Roar Rookie
Grevsmuhl has been a great pick up for Penrith.
Joel
Roar Rookie
Yep, I still think Griffin shouldn't be there. This was the first time I've seen Penrith play with a real game plan all season and they played it well but for the life of me I can't figure out why he's playing Peachey at centre and Cartwright at five eight, it should be the other way around.
Albo
Guest
'' Blake was lookin the goods before head knock.'" Please cedric ! Blake had three touches and dropped all three of them ! Bombed a simple try Moylan handed to him, dropped a bomb and scored a runaway try, and dropped a bomb and knocked himself out ! The guy is a mistake-a-thon and the sooner he is dropped from the team, the better. Zac Hardacker is a far better option than Blake.
Dingo McNumbat
Roar Rookie
If only his name was Mitchell... then you would have no trouble believing he's 18 years old because Rabbits would remind you every five seconds.
LMM
Guest
Nathan Cleary looks the goods. It's hard to believe he is an 18 year old rookie. He oozes confidence, poise and always seems to have time on the ball. A real gem, and if Te Maire Martin reaches his potential they will be a deadly combo, with Moylan at fullback.
Renegade
Roar Guru
?
Agent
Guest
The Raiders have beaten the Bulldogs twice this year and will be above them on the ladder if they beat the Warriors.
Wiremu
Guest
I am. a Bronco man but as for finals contention after last night if that's how 6 State of Oregon and another international play we can kiss any finals asperations good bye. I can't agree more about Hunt and the sooner the love affair with him is over the better. Can't think of a player who has cost the team more with his straying hicks and drop balls. Rather than persist with light weight forwards to help Parker and Sam lets get some big boppers in there with a bit of grunt. Hope we don't play Newcastle again if that's our current standard.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
This gave me a bit of a chuckle so I thought I would post it here: "Brisbane will have to get themselves together quickly as they face a short turnaround for their match against Sydney at Allianz Stadium on Thursday night. Senior Broncos are hoping the six-day turnaround will give their younger teammates less time to worry about Friday's shocking result, instead hoping it spurs them on to atone for their poor performance." Six-day turnaround. My heart bleeds :)
Don
Roar Rookie
The forwards have been dominated. Not breaking the line, few offloads, soft runs have not disrupted the defence. Milford and Hunt were great last year and earlier this year because the forwards were bending the line, Blair and Parker were getting offloads away and they were getting quick play the ball. The halves were getting the ball against still retreating defenders and broken lines. Ruck speed now is slow. The defence is not being disrupted and the halves are coming up against defenders moving forward who are all over them. Thaiday is having a lend of them. They need to let him go after his contract is up next year. Any good form from him is usually around Origin selection or contract renewal. McGuire is trying to be the tough guy he isn't. The guy is just a stock standard forward. If he was in Melbourne or Nth QLD he'd be contending with others just as good for a spot on the pine. Amazing that he didn't learn what being a genuine hard man means having played alongside Petero. They should get Oates fit in the off season to play in the pack and give them some attacking variety there. They'll rue letting Jarrod Wallace go. Above all else, they are finding out what a difference Justin Hodges made. Apart from his attack, no one got past him in defence. They can turn things around but it will all have to come from their pack first.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
One player who impressed me last night was Cartwright; easily the best performance from him in the 6 jersey I've seen despite very few highlight reel moments, this one was more about what he didn't do as opposed to what he actually did with a near total lack of pushed passes, poor offloads, and unnecessary kicks.
Jara W
Guest
The forwards have another gear. I have faith that they will find it. Milf did pretty well last night with no momentum or support players to build with. Once the forwards start rolling he will be straight back into it. And Hunt was out of form at the start of they year when the Broncos were "untouchable" according to many. All he needs to do is hold his own.
The eye
Guest
Cant argue that..dear old Sharkies are gunning for 15 in a row tomorrow....the rest are playing for second..(ha)
Emcie
Roar Guru
Not too long ago McGuire would have been toiling away in the Intrust Cup, but thats one of the perks of playing in a team with no real props
Emcie
Roar Guru
Its the difference in quality between those guys and the guys beside them that's the issue. I'm not saying that Brisbane need more superstars, just some solid players to fill in the gaps. The Broncos lost Vidot, Copley, Ashley Taylor and Hodges over the off season and only brought in Roberts for the back line. This wouldn't be an issue if 1st choice Kahu and Reed weren't so injury prone, but each of them have a habit of spending about a third of the season on the sideline which is why we currently have a 2nd rower at centre and a guy on the wing that would struggle in under twelves.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Fair enough mate. I still think the top 3 has daylight between them and the rest... With Bulldogs being the best of those behind them. Raiders, panthers, warriors and Broncos can all be very good on their day while the Titans will compete against every one but just not have enough to get over the line come September.
Agent
Guest
how are they underrated? all I hear around this place is how good they will be and all the potential they have and how all their players will be in origin jumpers in the future. They got touched up by the Tigers a few weeks ago and then an under strength Sharks side missing all their origin players. If anything they are OVERated at the moment...
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Blame Wayne. That would look great on an 8 by 12 banner.
Bonza
Roar Rookie
Not too long ago McGuire would've been flattened by the likes of Brett White, Tallis etc. He gets away with not being punched. Surely it's worth 10 minutes in the bin to put one his chin. Bennett doesn't seem to discourage it. Blair has a Phd in Grubbiness and Wayne now actually considering Matthew Lodge! Yes, the ex Tiger arrested for stalking people in New York. Wayne looks at them as lovable rascals.