Brisbane are heading towards their first NRL finals series in three years after overcoming Newcastle 28-10 at Suncorp Stadium.
Broncos captain Adam Reynolds stamped his authority in the slippery conditions to orchestrate four of his side’s five tries – including a Selwyn Cobbo hat-trick – for the dogged victory.
Despite returning to the winners’ circle, coach Kevin Walters will be unhappy with a disappointing second half on Saturday night when the Knights stormed back into the contest after trailing 18-0 at halftime.
Up by eight with 10 minutes left, it took some Reynolds’ magic to ease the 25,742-strong home crowd’s nerves by setting up Cobbo’s last two tries in the right corner.
The win virtually locks in a finals berth for Brisbane – their first since 2019 after two painful seasons in the cellar – as they now sit three wins clear and a significant for-and-against advantage over ninth-placed Canberra.
It also ended a two-game rut following flat losses to Wests Tigers and the Sydney Roosters which had put their top-four hopes on ice.
But their form will need to improve if they are to make an impact in September.
“We’re obviously not happy with the second half but pleased with the victory after the last two weeks,” Reynolds told Fox League.
“It was a step in the right direction.”
Drizzle in Brisbane made the ball like a cake of soap, with both sides regularly coughing up possession.
Without injured big guns David Klemmer and Kalyn Ponga, the Knights muscled up and actually had the better of the territorial battle in the first half but they were found wanting out wide where the Broncos cut loose.
Newcastle breathed life into the contest when stand-in skipper Jayden Brailey, in his 100th game, cleverly put a barging Daniel Saifiti over midway through the second half.
When Bradman Best swivelled over with 13 minutes left, the visitors had the momentum but Reynolds stepped up to combine with Kotoni Staggs for Cobbo to cross.
Three minutes later an inch perfect cross-kick gave the Maroons winger his third.
While Reynolds dominated, it was rising five-eighth Ezra Mam who had the home fans roaring loudest by starting and finishing a blazing 75m break just before halftime for the 18-point lead.
Brisbane prop Tom Flegler was placed on report for an accidental high collision with Anthony Milford which forced the Knights playmaker off briefly for a HIA.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Move him to Facebook? :)
Nat
Roar Guru
James played as well as he can. Defo not Capt Pat standard.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
You mean James played as well as Carrigan, or as well as James usually does? I thought James was ok but not as much energy. Pat just seems to be in everything.
Nat
Roar Guru
He's not easy to replace. Without knowing the stats I thought James played up to his standard. I'd like Robati back on the interchange.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Google ‘ NRL hatrick’ and you’ll get 1.18 million hits. From all walks of media and all areas of the game.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Carrigan is sorely missed. Haas and Capewell are not filling the void.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Martin makes a huge difference on both sides. I know Walsh is coming but I still think it’s a mistake letting him go. . Nat, not sure if you saw it but I posted a few weeks ago about a near neighbour of mine who knows his footy and is connected at the Broncos. . Point is, he was saying EXACTLY this in a convo we had 2 days ago. And I agree.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
Tony
Roar Guru
It's just dumb! Next we'll have quinella.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
The Roar editors need to add “hat trick” to their list of offensive words. Would they call four tries a double hat-trick?
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
It was good to see the Cronulla player run past the decoy runner without giving him a hug to get an obstruction penalty. The bunker should be suspended for three weekends of matches. Do they have a problem with the Tigers? The Sharks are looking good. A Penrith v Cronulla grand final would be great to see.
Tony
Roar Guru
Rapidly melting ice
Ferret
Roar Rookie
Broncs have discipline issues conceding 6 penalties, 3 ruck infringements and 2 inside the 10 metres. The Knights on the other hand were perfect conceding 0 x 6 agains. The Knights had a mountain of possession and produced very little. AOB must be on thin ice.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
How fast, steep and horrific has the fall from grace been for Dane Gagai. Ruthlessly ripped apart again last night by players of lesser standing, whilst his partner on the left, tagged for greatness, has not learnt one single thing about center defence under his current coaches. Collectively can't score. Collectively can't tackle. The ladder is deceptive, they're the weakest side in the NRL and its time to act on it.
Noel
Roar Rookie
I think the Broncs wouldn't be too thrilled with that performance. They seemed to make pretty hard work of it. No disrespect to the Knights, but you'd really wanting to be beating them in 2nd gear if you're finals ready. In that sense, I totally agree with Nat. I would've taken top 8 at the start of the year, so maybe my expectations are too high.. The major difference, for me, was Martin at the back. He's not as dangerous a runner as Nui, but his ball playing is great, and our defence just seems more calm when he's there. It would've been hard to say no to Walsh, but the young man should spend the whole of the off season watching tape of Martin play. All of our outside backs can break the line. Mam is an instinct player. We don't need a weapon as a FB, we need someone who creates space for others.
Rob
Guest
I’m glad to see Martin back at fullback for the Broncos. Cobbo and Oats seem to be a lot more dangerous with Reynolds more in command now? It was the Knights without Ponga and Clifford but the Broncos looked a lot better in both attack and defence from recent weeks. Knights can’t take a trick on the injury department. Broncos can improve with growing combination and a couple to returns in Lee, Robati and Carrigan for the finals.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
He dominated Bradman from start to finish.
Nat
Roar Guru
It’s amazing how expectations change so quickly. Just making the 8 was an ambition in March. Now, even with a spot all but secured, I still want a higher standard than that last night. Yes, it was miserable and rained most of the day but there is more work to do offensively with Staggs. Martin makes a huge difference on both sides. I know Walsh is coming but I still think it’s a mistake letting him go. Oates continues his run of form. Wayne has a lot of work to do with Milford. I’d say move him to FB until his running confidence comes back and forget the ball playing/ controlling. Best to play what is, not what he was from memory.
Nat
Roar Guru
He was all place. Reyno was throwing the googlies.
Tony
Roar Guru
A hat trick? Was Cobbo bowling pace or spin?