It was an opportunity for a fresh start for the Brisbane Broncos on Friday night as we took on the Parramatta Eels at Suncorp Stadium.
After a dominant first half to lead 16-0, the Broncos turned into their 2020 selves in the second stanza, as Parra took over to win by eight points.
Despite the loss, many positives came out of this game, such as a superb first half from that left the Eels scoreless at the halftime break, while both Brodie Croft and Anthony Milford showed great signs.
When Milford has a halves partner that can control the team, he is always dangerous with the ball in his hands. He can create line breaks out of nowhere, as shown in 2015 and ’16, when Darius Boyd was really taking control of the side and Milford could just focus on running the ball. Milford can go back to that level if Croft can stabilise and control the team.
Anthony Milford (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)
Many criticised coach Kevin Walters’ decision to drop Corey Oates from the starting 17, however Xavier Coates scored two tries in the first half before being sent to hospital, while David Mead showed great activity on the left wing.
The second-half performance was well below-average, as Parra put 24 points on. However, it was not as horrible as last year’s back-end efforts, with Brisbane staying in touch and nearly taking back the lead before a Jake Turpin try was disallowed.
Brisbane will not end the season as back-to-back wooden spooners – their performance against the Eels wasn’t that of a team that is going to finish last in the competition.
Brisbane will be looking to get their first win in over 250 days on Friday night as they take on their still-little brother, the Gold Coast Titans.
One change for the Broncos in the starting 17 is Thomas Flegler replacing Matthew Lodge as starting prop, as Lodge suffered a tear to his ACL on Friday night. Flegler starting leaves room for Rhys Kennedy to make his 2021 debut off the bench.
Oates is again on the reserves list and will have to prove to the coach that he is a better option on the wing than Mead or Coates, however I don’t see that happening any time soon.
For the Titans, Phillip Sami enters the starting 17, as Brian Kelly suffered a fractured hand in the Gold Coast’s loss against the Warriors on Saturday.
As good as that Gold Coast pack is, their defence was carved up the middle and their forwards had no goal-line defence, as all three of the Kiwi side’s tries came through the middle of the park. Hopefully Walters creates a gameplan of playing through the middle of the Titans’ defence.
Overall, with a bit of admitted bias, the Broncos should notch their first win of the season.
My tip: Broncos by 8.
Contego
Guest
This article aged well. Titans were terrible, Bronco’s were worse than terrible
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
Thats the move, Peachey to start at 13, the last 6 or 7 games last year that was his spot and they went really well. Personally Tino off the bench, imagine busting your gut for 20 25 minutes then looking up and seeing him run on fresh, plus having Peachey deciding wether to feed the halves, hit Tino or Fafita short or go himself. Peachey starting would seem to suit the new rule changes to a T :thumbup:
Rellum
Roar Guru
I was going to say!!!!
Christo
Roar Guru
The titans foward pack looked pretty weak defensivly on the weekend though
Christo
Roar Guru
hopefully
Nat
Roar Guru
*Oates not Coates.
Emcie
Roar Guru
His QLD role hardly inspires confidence. As a Broncos supporter I sincerely hope his coaching has improved massively over the last year....
Christo
Roar Guru
Yes if i wasn't a Broncos fan i probably would be tipping the Titans, but I always tip the Bronx no madder what
Christo
Roar Guru
little in previous coaching roles? he coached QLD lmao
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
My mate Brainchild ( so called because he can recall every racehorse and jockey for the last 50 years) lives up in Brisbane and reckons they are a special this weekend. I'll go with him.
Big Daddy
Guest
Tony, I'm with you. Tipsters s night mare but I'm confident after last week ( famous last words) . Gold coast weren't all that impressive.
Nat
Roar Guru
I was surprised at Sami over Fermor in the centers. These guys more than most woud know the feet Nui has on him. Plus Tesi isn’t that flash a defender and Fermor’s a much bigger body. I’m sure Thompson wouldn’t mind some assistance against Coates as well.
Nat
Roar Guru
I didn't mind the idea but I liked the inclusion of him against tiring D as well. I can't wish him too much luck tho... :happy:
andrew
Roar Rookie
By the look of it it's going to be a wet track on Friday night Christo and i think the Titans forward pack will be too strong for the Broncos. Milford's going to have to get involved more, he goes missing a lot.
Tony
Roar Guru
Well I've actually tipped the Broncos this week so that pretty much locks them in for a sombre bus trip home after the game
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Goodness dropping Moe on a R1 poor game ? Peach was really busy (got Herman breathing down his neck), but thats a tough call.. Wouldn't surprise to see Fermor start in the centres on Tesi.
Tony
Roar Guru
He's an annoying little #$%#@$, but they look a lot better with Peachey on the field
Paul
Roar Guru
This will be a real test for both sides. I'm curious to see how well the Broncos travel, even if it's just up the road. I'm assuming their preparation will be different and obviously they'll be playing away from home, against some pretty vocal Titans fans and team fired up to beat them. There's an assumption the Broncos can repeat last week's first half effort and hopefully they do - but I don't think so. Parra did not show the right level of intensity until well into the second half. That won't happen with the Titans. I don't think the Broncos will get blown off the park, but I don't think they'll win either. Sorry Christo, Kevvie might have to wait another week for his first NRL win.
Paul
Roar Guru
tell your Dad to get on the Broncos if they're that price.
Walter Black
Guest
I said at the start of the season that the Bronco's wouldn't finish with the spoon this season, that Walters would give the team a lot of heart and a sense of direction if nothing else but they won't make the eight either. Round 1 was a rather dramatic game but it showed much of what I expect for the Broncos this season and that is a good start but don't count this week's game against the Gold Coast as a win just yet. I think they under performed last week and will see the Broncos as the scalp they need.