The post-script of the Brisbane Broncos’ victory over the Penrith Panthers will not surprise anyone. It provided a narrative that was all too predictable.
» BURGIN: If you’re going to introduce fair play, go the whole hog
» Eels vs Cowboys ultra-definitive stats preview
» Eels vs Cowboys preview and prediction
1. The Bronco defence
The most influential aspect of the game was the ability of the Brisbane defence to soak up the constant pressure of the Panthers. With the mastermind Wayne Bennett pulling the strings it appeared the Queenslanders were under instructions to slow down the Panthers at all costs.
Conceding penalties on their own line didn’t concern the Broncos and the number of stoppages throughout the game seemed almost an admission that the youthful and energetic Penrith side would eventually, if allowed to play expansive football, run over the top of the more experienced Broncos forwards.
This never occurred, as the Broncos were able to blunt much of the Panthers attack and their only try was scored by a front-rower, reflecting the defensive dominance of the Broncos backline.
2. The Panther attack
The amount of tackles it takes the Panthers to convert field position and weight of possession into points was once again on show against the Broncos.
There doesn’t seem to be anything clinical about the attack they produce, with much of their forays into opposition territory appearing to be spontaneous and ad lib, rather than well-crafted and structured.
Despite having Nathan Cleary, one of the future superstars of the competition, there needs to be more organisation and communication in terms of the lines and holes that the runners are attacking.
The passing game is there and the will of the runners is obvious yet there is something missing in the Penrith attack and this will be the main source of interest when pre-season begins in a few months’ time.
Nathan Cleary (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
3. HIA
In an awful night of head clashes, it was pleasing to see players taken from the field without question and for their own protection and safety.
Despite a couple of the incidents looking minor at first glance, there was no doubt the injuries were significant and it was pleasing to see the NRL’s procedures work well and protect the game’s most important assets; the players.
4. The crowd
With over 38,000 people in attendance, the NRL can at least start the weekend on a positive.
I’ll be out at the game tomorrow night when the Eels take on the Cowboys and there will be a good crowd at ANZ, in a game that the Parramatta faithful will attend in droves.
After such a disappointing first week of finals, the NRL will turn a blind eye and write off the past figures.
There shouldn’t be another poorly-attended game from this point on and the powers at be will be sure to make us aware of just how successful the finals series is, despite some serious issues that existed throughout the season with scheduling and attendance figures.
5. The referees
Thank whichever God-like deity you believe in that the game wasn’t won on a clanger as many believe every other finals match has been in the 2017 series.
There were a few dubious calls and some questionable moments yet the general trend of the Broncos stoic defence and the impotent Penrith attack was the key reasoning behind the end result.
Perhaps Tony Archer will sleep a little better tonight after a heated week, where he must have prayed for a team to defeat another without the dirty innuendo and conspiracy theories that have filled media over the last week.
The Broncos and Panthers produced a high quality and intense game, but certainly not one where the officials determined the outcome with a host of rash decisions.
Jimbob
Guest
I tried it and there was about a 30 second time lag. I was listening on the internet though. Does it work with a normal radio?
Sava
Guest
I am with you Dan,The Rabbit Screams.Mute them. Sava
Roberto
Guest
Too many Broncos haters on this comment thread. Gee, a controversy free tight finals match, but old ladies here need to come and whinge. Suck it up, losers - the cream will always rise to the top!
Dan
Guest
Put it on mute and listen to the call on ABC Grandstand.
col
Guest
Geoff said I thought the refs were very lenient on the Broncos defence in the last 10 minutes when the Panthers were on the attack. They were virtually permanently offside and happy to be so in order to snuff out the Panthers attack. Someone should have been binned. Would have been the only way to stop this tactic. The ref should have awarded a penalty right in front at say the 75 minute mark. Take the 2 points so the lead is only 5 and your a chance to win all the way up to the 80 minute mark. You get the kickoff too.
col
Guest
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_NRL_season_results#Finals_Series I have not a clue what your saying. 38k was the attendance. Lets see what Parra does tonight.
col
Guest
The video is online-watch it -Oates NEVER looses it into Milford. Why such justification Also in the 70's minute when Panthers were attacking Brisbane's line the TV shot two consecutive tackles where Brisbane had multiple players offside.. ie Not one foot on the Try line. right in front of Sutton. Ref also gave the crucial knock on against Panthers fullback (which lead to the field goal) watching replays Bronco player 1/2 meter offside at kick and He knocked it on. Besides that...
Leonard
Guest
About my "At , it’s 52,500": there was supposed to be Wikipedia link following the "At . . .". So here it is in plain English - At Wikipedia's '2017 NRL season results'.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
Lots of league followers up here in Brisbane and I would say close to half of them don't go for the Broncos. Just in my circles there are sharks, dragons, eels, bulldogs fans. The crowd probably has to do with the Panthers not being a very big drawing team and that the Broncos haven't been playing that well. Most recent finals at Suncorp have been close to sellouts.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I wouldn't worry too much Stuey. Old mate has used a semi colon incorrectly and it should be "THE ROAR" None of us iz perfect.
Peter Phelps
Guest
If the Broncos give Melbourne that much ball in their own 20 metre zone, I can see a cricket score next week.
Matt P
Roar Rookie
What Melbourne does best is keeping it simple and setting up their plays properly until weaknesses expose themselves. A lot of teams struggle with that part of it.
Matt P
Roar Rookie
It'd be pretty silly to start picking fights I can't win, right? Help an argumentative guy out here.
Womblat
Guest
What did I say about picking fights you can't lose Matthew?
Wayne Turner
Guest
Spot on. The refs were terrible last night,and so was the game.Brisbane got away with being off side most of the night.While sometimes Penrith milked a penalty with the ball eg: Cleary gets tackled by Blair.Cleary then walks off the mark,Blair steps back to be marker,and Cleary then puts ball onto Blair's leg.Penrith gets the milked penalty.Ref should have forced Cleary to go back and play the ball again on the mark.When this happens the channel nine commentator cheers for the ref,and claims it's the most ovious penalty given away by Brisbane.Yeap another commentator watching a different game.I prefer watching games with no sound,I should start doing it again at home.
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
Frank it sounds like you have set the bar pretty high for refereeing. I'm surprised you watch any footy at all. I've been watching league since the 70s and I don't recall the standard being substantially better than it is now.
Wayne Turner
Guest
Brisbane were off side in defense,most of the night,and got away with it mostly.It happens always when they play at home.Their so called good defense,is cheating aided by weak refs. In saying that.It was a game of pretenders,from both teams.I rate Brisbane zero chance to beat Melbourne next week.For starters it's not being played in Brisbane,and Storm are superior in all aspects. Finally,tonight should be better,and a likely Eels vs Roosters game next week should be better,and less predictable than Storm vs Brisbane.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Great call Rupert - can't see a problem with it - can only benefit the game by rewarding the attacking side and giving incentive to defences to stay onside.
Leonard
Guest
"With over 38,000 people in attendance"? At , it's 52,500 (although '00 crowd figures always look suss, or else the algorithm had a hissy fit). Trying to navigate a route through official sites to a simple stats like [Crowd] is more aggro that this li'l ol' keyboarder can bear. Effin' stupid webmeisters and / or designers If 52,500 is correct (and even 38,000), maybe NRL HQ should move all Finals to Melbourne or Brisbane? Looks as if Sydney-siders don't give a toss about 'their' game.
Matt P
Roar Rookie
From the rules of the game: "Where the Referee is satisfied that interference with play by an off side player is accidental he should order a scrum." Correct call. Move on.