A spectacular aerial effort from Brisbane winger Corey Oates has sealed a dramatic 20-16 win for the Broncos over the Cronulla Sharks at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
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Final score
Cronulla Sharks 16
Brisbane Broncos 20
Will the Cronulla Sharks push for a top-four berth or will Brisbane Broncos consolidate their spot in the competition’s top eight? Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 7:35pm AEST.
After going down to the Rabbitohs a fortnight ago, Shane Flanagan’s Sharks have struggled to emulate the form that saw them claim six straight victories.
Last week’s 24-16 win over the Tigers summed this statement up perfectly. An uninspiring first half performance from the 2016 Premiers saw them trail 10-2 at the break.
A completely different Cronulla outfit came out in the second forty, one whose forwards dominated the battle up front and spearheaded a 24-16 comeback win.
Flanagan will be hoping that team is the one that shows up on Saturday night as Cronulla brace for a Brisbane outfit determined to bounce back from a disappointing last-start effort.
The Broncos put in one of their best performances of the season in the first half against Melbourne, heading into the sheds with a 12-8 lead off the back of an 88 per cent completion rate.
However, Wayne Bennett’s men proceeded to complete just 67 per cent of their sets in the second forty and lacked the defensive steel they displayed in the opening half.
As a result, Brisbane fell to a crushing 32-16 defeat and will be desperate to bounce back this weekend.
They will be boosted by the return of Origin centre James Roberts who was rested from last week’s game. The Broncos also have a strong record at Cronulla, having won four of their past five at the venue.
Tip
Wayne Bennett will have his troops primed for a big performance as they look to cement their position in the top eight.
Broncos by six.
Craig
Guest
Oates needs to be there for origin 2. He’s been in excellent form and he’s been instrumental in nearly every bronco victory. He must be close to be leading the dally M? He must be leading for dally m winger.
Rob
Guest
Queensland have to bring Oats onto the wing for game2. His strong ball carries and finishing is top shelf. Holmes to shift to his preferred right wing. I also think A.Taylor is worth a go as he leads the Comp in try assists and has a great passing and big accurate kicking game which will be something that can create opportunities. Put Ponga at the back and move Hunt onto the bench.
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Congrajulations Broncos well deserved when you play with that much flair teams can only just watch and admire.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Lol that’s just “rediculous”
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Well played Broncos simply too much skill and flair Sharks were completely bamboozled.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
MATCH REPORT: A spectacular aerial effort from Brisbane winger Corey Oates has sealed a dramatic 20-16 win for the Broncos over the Cronulla Sharks at Southern Cross Group Stadium. Saturday night’s game at the Shire begun in extraordinary fashion as Brisbane opened the scoring in the 1st minute against the run of play. After what was a conservative opening set from Cronulla, Chad Townsend’s last-tackle kick was charged down by Tevita Pangai-Junior who then regathered the ball and raced away to silence the 14,587 fans at Southern Cross Group Stadium. Brisbane soon extended their lead when Anthony Milford took on the line and stepped through Cronulla’s big men to slice over under the posts. It was the perfect start for Wayne Bennett’s men, who were looking to consolidate their position within the competition’s Top Eight. However, they then faced an early setback when Milford was sin-binned when he held down Cronulla winger Sione Katoa for too long. The Sharks quickly took advantage when slick hands from Valentine Holmes saw Jesse Ramien score in the corner. Cronulla looked to have crossed for their second in the 32nd minute when Katoa dived over only for the Bunker to disallow it with Luke Lewis ruled to have obstructed Anthony Milford. Shane Flanagan’s men had several chances to strike back but poor ball handling cost them, with the Sharks heading into the sheds down 14-4 with a 61% completion rate. The Broncos had completed at 94% in the first half and it was ultimately what separated the two sides in the opening forty. However, errors plagued Brisbane’s start to the second half and quickly invited Cronulla back into the contest. The Sharks finally capitalised in the 59th minute when Ricky Leutele charged over off a left-side raid and the home side quickly made it back-to-back tries in the 64th minute to draw level. James Segeyaro had provided a much-needed spark off the bench for Cronulla and a special inside ball from the interchange hooker saw Wade Graham score untouched to set up a tense finish. The Sharks were well on top in the second half yet poor execution continually cost them from sealing the victory. Eventually, the Broncos made them pay when Corey Oates soared over in the corner to score an unbelievable four-pointer that would hand Brisbane a tense 20-16 win. The victory sees the Broncos draw level on 18 competition points with the Sharks. Next week Cronulla travel across the ditch to face the high-flying Warriors on Friday night while Brisbane host the Raiders on Saturday night in what shapes as a must-win clash for the Green Machine.
LMM
Guest
When Gallen was off the field for 10 minutes, the Sharks looked the better team. The other 70, well they just didn't.
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Well played Broncos well deserved great game but were just too skillfull in attack.
PNGBF88
Guest
Oates and Milford should swap pay packets, the other deserves what the other is getting. The match winner and MVP is our winger, been killing it all season...I am one frustrated Broncos fan, just not good enough!! Kevie has no idea, if he picks McCullough and Milford again for Origin 2.
Renegade
Roar Guru
What a frustrating game... flanno would be livid. Corey Oates was massive for the broncos.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
FULL TIME - SHARKS 16 BRONCOS 20 A dramatic finish here at Cronulla with the Broncos holding on for a four-point win. The Sharks honestly could have scored another four or five tries in this game but poor execution continually let them down. The home side were well on top in the second half but Brisbane have hung on. What did you make of that Roarers?
Emcie
Roar Guru
Geez you've been negative this year mate
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
80' - Kodi Nikorima sends it on the last and Edrick Lee takes it and Cronulla are already on halfway on the second. This will be their last chance. Brisbane scramble on the last and Jesse Ramien's grubber is taken by the Broncos. Tense stuff but Wayne Bennett's men will hold on! SHARKS - 16 BRONCOS - 20
Sean
Guest
Been rubbish for 2-3 years now.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
76' - Jamayne Isaako is crumpled in the opening tackle off the scrum before Jordan Kahu brings it past the 20 on the second. Alex Glenn works it past the 30 off the following play before Joe Ofahengaue surges up to the 40 and stays down clutching at his head. He is alright and the kick on the last goes ahead with Valentine Holmes taking it on his own 10 metre line before taking it up. They are struggling for metres but suddenly the Sharks are away on the left edge! Sione Katoa sprints down the touchline after Cronulla took advantage of the overlap. He kicks inside but Boyd knocks it down and Brisbane dive on it. Broncos get lucky there and JUST hold on! SHARKS - 16 BRONCOS - 20
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
73' - Brisbane concede a mid-count penalty and the Sharks are just 30 out with a full set to play. Paul Gallen brings it up to the 20 before Joseph Paulo surges towards the 10 metre mark. Gallen now takes it up, tries to offload but drops it instead. Crucial mistake! SHARKS - 16 BRONCOS - 20
PNGBF88
Guest
How is McCullough even in the origin team..Segeyaro has far more talent. Lost to PNG next Saturday while the average Brisbane rake gets shown up the next day in a BLUES bloodbath.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
71' - BRONCOS CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL Jamayne Isaako SHARKS - 16 BRONCOS - 20
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
69' - BRONCOS TRY Corey Oates INCREDIBLE! What leg strength! Oates dives over in the corner and plants the ball down! SHARKS - 16 BRONCOS - 20
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Don't know about far better but have looked the more likely in attack for sure.