Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater is facing up to four matches on the sideline for his shoulder charge on Broncos winger Corey Oates that saw him leave the field with a suspected broken jaw during the Cowboys’ 28-16 loss on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.
He will miss three matches if he accepts the early guilty plea, while Oates is set to undergo surgery today after scans confirmed a “displaced fracture” to the jaw, and faces a recovery period of six to eight weeks.
Teammate Peta Hiku faces a three-week suspension for an early crusher tackle on Oates, but will only miss two games if he doesn’t fight the charge.
It was the Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam show as the Broncos took out bragging rights in the local derby against the North Queensland Cowboys, securing back-to-back wins for the start of the season.
In a wet and slippery match, the home side handled the conditions better than their little brother, showing more control and composure compared to the Cowboys’ errors and frustrations. In their first game playing together with Walsh in his debut for the club, Mam and Walsh lit up the game and looked as if they had been teammates forever, forging a left-side partnership that would have Broncos fans excited.
“He (Walsh) did his job, that’s what the good players do,” said Broncos coach Kevin Walters.
“And we’re all very proud of him for the performance he put up. He has good speed, good awareness and he loves the game.”
The Cowboys started the match in a similar fashion to last week – hard, fast, and with early points on the board. Jason Taumalolo was “in a mood” according to Fox Commentator Michael Ennis, with the wrecking ball leading the way for his side. With an 8-0 after 18 minutes, it was all one-way traffic.
But as the minutes ticked on the Broncos found their groove. Two quick tries before halftime saw the teams head to the sheds locked at 10-all, with momentum well and truly with the home side.
The Cowboys found themselves down to 12 men after Drinkwater was sin-binned for the Shoulder charge on Oates. Two more tries to Brisbane within the first ten minutes of the second half gave them a ten-point lead, and a penalty kick with eleven to go saw the scoreboard reach 22-10 scoreline.
Try scoring machine Jeremiah Nanai got the Cowboys back within striking distance, but Walsh returned serve with three minutes to go, and the Broncos made it 2/2 for season 2023.
“That wasn’t a very good incident, to have in our game, the shoulder charge,” said Walters. “It will be interesting to see what happens.”
Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds thought the sin bin wasn’t enough. “It’s hard, everything happens at high speed, when you look at the replay, it doesn’t look good,” said Reynolds.
“For us, we lose a player for the entire game and a number of weeks probably. Whether ten minutes is justifiable, I don’t know.”
But Walters is leaving his faith in the judiciary. “We will leave that in the NRL’s hands. They’re capable and we trust them.”
Cowboys coach Todd Payten was quick to defend his fullback and the ten-minute punishment.
“It was certainly an accident…..no intent…..the kid was just doing his best to stop a try,” said Payten. “I’m happy with the sin binding, as long as it’s consistent.”
I think Adam Reynolds has found his perfect halves partner.
20-year-old Mam has stepped into the Broncos’ number six jersey with a huge weight of pressure on him. Not only was it worn in the past by club legends like Wally Lewis and Darren Lockyer, but it also now stands for who is working alongside the eleven-year veteran and Brisbane’s general.
He was everywhere, involved in everything, grabbed himself two tries, and seemed to have the ball on a string.
The future looks bright for Brisbane.
And then there was this guy.
Walsh was instrumental to the Broncos in their win and looked right back at home in the number one jersey for Brisbane. One try, two assists and about 1000 touches of the ball.
“He was on another level tonight,” said Fox commentator Greg Alexander.
“He was electric,” added Corey Parker. “Some of the plays, some of the movements, both of the left foot and right foot. What a debut for Walsh.”
So much talent, and the possibilities are endless.
When Drinkwater was marched for ten, eyebrows were raised when centre Peta Hiku was moved to fullback, for some reason instead of the Cowboys’ other centre and former number one Valentine Holmes.
While Holmes has been superb since his move to the centres, to many he was the safer and obvious choice to move out the back while Drinkwater was in the bin. The former fullback for the Cowboys was left in his spot, while Hiku struggled out the back, knocked on, and turned the ball over more than once, and no doubt counted every second of the ten minutes until Drinkwater returned.
Coach Kevin Walters was always in for a headache when it came to picking his hooker. His son Billy got the nod for this match as well as last week, but has seemed slow with not a lot of go forward.
When Corey Paix came on with 15 minutes left of the first half, the team lifted. He was fast out of dummy half, and the Brisbane attack was flowing a lot smoother and began to fire.
It will be interesting to see what happens over the next few rounds.
matth
Roar Guru
Maybe
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Post Renyolds, Mam half, Walsh 5/8, Cobbo fullback
matth
Roar Guru
He's a willing bench player
Albo
Roar Rookie
He is a terrible defender at the best of times, but if causes damage to a player with dodgy attempt to tackle, he must suffer the consequences.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I must say I have never really understood the hype around Corey Paix ? I would play Billy Walters in front of him anytime.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Stop whinging you two ! My Panthers brainstrust let J'mayne Hopgood go to Parramatta where he is now their best player by a long way! :silly:
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
I have never supported the "eye for an eye" punishment but three weeks ? Oates will miss 8 weeks and origin in potentially he last year, hard to swallow
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Sulking because he did not het the number 1 jersey
Rellum
Roar Guru
I am fine with them picking Drinky. If he fits in with the halves then great. I agree with you the halves right now are showing their limitations and Deardon really needs to start showing his ball playing and kicking. Townsend is was always going to be a stop gap but worked out really well last year but needs to keep improving. The real worry for the Cows is the fad outs in the second half. That maybe shows a lack of work in the preseason. Hopefully not, just a mental thing
steveng
Roar Rookie
Drinkwater's tackle looked a bit like Graham's tackle, he jumped up with his shoulder straight into Oats jaw and broke his jaw, imo that is what the judiciary should be also considering. As putting a player out 6-8 weeks and the perpetrator getting 3 weeks is just very ordinary, its about time that if a careless and intentional tackle causes a serious injury the perpetrator should get the same time off as the injured player, seeing that the NRL have independent doctors, they should be adjudicating on that also and the punishment should be determined in that way. It was an unfortunate part of a very competitive game as the Cows played really well but a mistake by Drinkwater just cruelled it for them as they really had a go, and the Broncs really won the game when the Cows had 12 on the field.
Rob
Guest
Fair enough. I think it’s sliding doors. Dearden doesn’t have a strong kicking or ball play game at present. Drinkwater also supplements Townsend lack of creativity and running game. Hammer is brilliant and Payten is probably keeping a good relationship open so he’s in a good position cap and personal wise to bring Hammer home. Payten might be using his experience’s with Sheen’s to understand Hammers situation? Payten was a brilliant young talent, struggled with injuries and plenty of bench time. When Sheen wanted him at the Tigers he was happy to go.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I am not being critical of Payton other than this one decision. I have no idea what money the Hammer is on, I don't believe it was published so I don't know how you know. I am also not suggesting the Hammer play wing, I am also not the only one questioning this decision. The Hammer is an elite talent who clearly based on the first two rounds is happy to work. That sort of talent comes along rarely, is a game breaker and with the work ethic is a MUCH better investment than a journeyman from elsewhere. I think Todd did not believe in the Hammer and that will comeback to bite him. It was a mistake. It probably won't be a fatale mistake but he needs to learn from it
Rob
Guest
Rellum you’re being very critical of Payten and I don’t know if it’s truely warranted. Payten had significant decisions to make around cap space and team and squad balance. Hiku had a 2 year deal. The Cowboys had turned their defence and ability to win games around with Hiku and Drinkwater being very good in their position. Feldt is not on anything like Hammers money and Hammer wants to play fullback. Hammer isn’t a winger and totally hates that role trucking it up. Payten could easily have done what spiteful Broncos (Hodges) or Sharks Holmes did and rob him a significant year of his career? Hammer still had a year left on his contract and Hiku would be finished and perhaps Nanai isn’t a Cowboy? For Payten to release Hammer allowing him to get better money and opportunity speaks volumes about Payten and his non selfish attitude towards his players development and success IMO. The Dolphins fans should be appreciative of that because I’m guessing the Hammer is a significant bonus many others including Bennett would never be selfless enough to do?
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Yep, same syndrome as the Titans. Whilst Herbert can tackle 7 tries from 40 games ? Schoupp is the first center they have signed in years and looks good but the list of current backs the Titans released ?! Jessie Arthurs , Hymel Hunt, Young Tonumaipea, Jordan Rapana
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
2 from 2 = Dead coach walking? Brad Arthurs must have the noose around his neck
Ghosthound
Roar Rookie
Very. It was a lazy effort by Drinkwater - he couldn’t be bothered to lower his centre of gravity to ensure he didn’t make high contact. 3 weeks isn’t enough. An early guilty plea shouldn’t result in lessening the penalty.
Rob
Guest
Holmes took a quick tap and was grabbed from behind by Staggs. I hope you were calling for the Sin bin.
Bonza
Roar Rookie
Walsh and Mam. Lethal combo.
Bonza
Roar Rookie
Carrigan signing on again is a huge sign that there's faith in Kev. An obvious leader who lifts standards and he's probably told the forwards to lift their game in defence. Then you've got Walsh who makes the backs want to play footy again. Plenty to like, which hurts to type.
Rellum
Roar Guru
No not the same as the Hammer was looking at being permanently demoted where the other two were going to play first grade very soon. Hodges just went for money of I recall. Walsh was going to play first grade within 10 rounds that season for sure