With ten minutes to play, the wind changed at Accor Stadium. On the field, it had changed long before that.
Penrith, from 16 points behind, had the breeze at their back metaphorically before they had it literally, staging the greatest comeback in Grand Final history to down the Broncos 26-24, seal the threepeat, waltz into immortality and all the rest.
It’s a cliche, but Brisbane did everything everyone said that they should do, did it well, and lost anyway. Penrith, and Nathan Cleary, are too good. You rarely see their Plan B, but never doubt that it is there.
The central tactical question surrounded whether the Broncos could defend their errors while still playing their footy.
The answer came in two parts. The first half showed that, despite huge pressure, Brisbane could keep the Panthers at bay, the second that if they kept playing their footy, in spite of inevitable errors, it would garner results.
But did it? The amount of defending, accumulated in stifling heat over so long, at such speed, must have took it’s toll. As Cleary cut back against the grain for the Hollywood moment, the feeling that the resistance could have been stronger was there. How could it not be?
Penrith did Plan A perfectly, but met a brick wall. Then they got punched in face, their own defences shattered. Then they got up, swung back, swung again and swung again. They’re that sort of bunch.
15 minutes in, the speed had been relentless. In typical fashion, the ball had inexorably moved towards the line the Panthers were attacking. The Broncos were trying. They were trying everything.
Billy Walters stepped out and punted a 40/20. On play two, they showed their hand, putting on a move to the right that nearly saw Herbie Farnworth put Jesse Arthars over. The winger went into touch and back the ball came.
Brisbane’s goalline defence is excellent and it needed to be. First Selwyn Cobbo coughed up a yardage error, then Walsh kicked far too long, gifting a seven tackle set. The Broncos, somehow, kept the score level.
The thing about Penrith, however, is that they’ll get you eventually. They’re happy to wait and, with the temperature still close to 30 and the wind at their backs, the conditions were perfect for the long game.
Kotoni Staggs made a play the ball error, but again, they withstood the attack, conceding a drop out. Reynolds went short, Herbie batted it back…Miitch Kenny scored. That’s the thing about Penrith. They’ll get you eventually.
The commitment to their footy from the Broncos was exceptional. They threw everything: the right shift to Walsh, the left through hands, the double block play, early kicks. At one point, they switched the centres, hoping for different results. Brisbane did all the things everyone said they should do to stand a chance, to disrupt the rhythm.
They had a crack and defended their errors. Another penalty goal went again, via another failed dropout attempt. That they tried it after messing it up the first time told you everything.
The Broncos were goosed, ten minutes before half time, as so many sides have been against these Panthers. Death by a thousand cuts. They’ll get you eventually.
And yet this Broncos side proved the exception. Flegler’s crashover was the sort of try you might have expected Penrith to score, batterring through knackered defence, but instead, it put a totally different complexion on the half.
The stats said total Panthers domination: 250 more metres, 95% completion rate, three more sets’ worth of play the balls. The scoreboard, however, was just 8-6.
Five minutes into the second half, it was 12-8. The Broncos’ commitment to the bit kept going with a smart short side play, and this time, the defence wasn’t there.
Just like last week, Izack Tago’s one-on-one defence was found wanting, with Mam skinning the centre, fresh back from injury, to race away.
Five minutes after that, again, this time Isaah Yeo left standing. Three minutes after that, they did it a third time, Walsh putting on his favourite move to break the line before finding Mam for his hat trick.
So what is the moral of this story? Attack can beat defence. Brisbane did everything to unsettle, and even when it didn’t work, they doubled down.
Reece Walsh kicked dead more than once, but it was fine: the set start, even with an extra tackle in the set, was easier to defend. Deliberate or not, it broke up the game.
The Panthers put on their masterclass of position and possession, but they lacked adventure. They took five tackles to do what Brisbane did in two.
Yes, the Broncos had to defend well to stay in the game – this is still the Panthers we’re talking about – but they didn’t throw enough. It wasn’t as hard a test as it might have been.
Time and again, they set to the left, then aimed for Tago and Brian To’o on the right against Farnworth and Arthars. It didn’t work.
When they went right, too often Jarome Luai picked the easier option of Scott Sorensen on the drop line rather than engaging and feeding Stephen Crichton. Luai layered departed hurt, and one wonders how fit he ever was.
And yet. And yet. The Panthers will get you eventually. With the scoreboard weighing heavily on their backs, they brought the adventure, with Cleary to the fore, of course.
Penrith play one way because it suits them best, but never doubt that they can do others, too. They still completed – indeed, they went 100% through the whole second half – but did so with far more endeavour.
The point about having a great system is that you lean on it when you need it the most. You know it so well that you can modify it, problem solving your way to victory.
Attack had beaten defence, and it would do again. When Panthers want to attack, they can with the best, because they have the best player to do so. Cleary just did more and more, and suddenly, he had Crichton with him. They’ll miss him when he’s gone.
Penrith’s system never failed in the first half, but their execution did. The slider was slightly too far towards conservatism, but with a game to chase, it was edged a little over, with Cleary forced to show his hand. NEver doub there’s an ace in it.
It could only be him who ended it. The winning try, when it came, was the sort that comes when one side is absolutely knackered, tackled into the floor. Walters, Jordan Riki and Walsh, all clasping at thin air.
That’s the thing about Penrith. They’ll get you eventually.
The Barry
Roar Guru
How does a cross field kick change the angle of the attack? You specifically wrote cross field kicks to change the angle of the attack and are now back tracking You’ve got a better side step than Reece Walsh :laughing: :laughing: You didn’t mention “tandem hit ups” and half that other stuff either But anyway, all I want to understand is how you came to think that the Broncos dominated the first minutes and played all over the Panthers… more than any team you can remember in a grand final Come on it shouldn’t be hard for a master tactician like you… :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Have you ever proven me wrong? :laughing: I was just outlining a potential strategy to break down the Panthers defensive structure. jimmmy did the same thing and no one had a problem with that. But because I have groupies like you and TB you expect me to answer all of your questions when neither of you answer mine.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Attacking lines/defensive corridors. Changing the angle of attack... self-explanatory. I also suggested tandem hitups to isolate defenders and gain a quick play-the-ball. Second phase play was also essential to isolate defenders, getva quick play-the-ball and break down the Panthers defence. Running outside in lines off 2nd receiver, running unders with Walsh sweeping and the dummy half attracting marker defence to a ball runner running an angle in behind the ruck/play-the-ball. All of which... change the angle of attack. All of this is designed to break down the Panthers defensive structure and limit their ability to control the speed of the play-the-ball. Short range cross field kicks would have capitalised the the Panthers rushing in to disrupt the execution of a block play. Now, are we done or so you want to stalk me some more?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Hang on. How does cross field kick for a winger “change the angle of attack and attacking lines”? As meaningless a comment that has ever been written about rugby league You’re just making up any old bit of nonsense now to try and sound like you know what you’re talking about…
The Barry
Roar Guru
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: I’m not seeking your validation in the slightest. I haven’t asked you ever to comment on anything I’ve written. I’m laughing at your assertions of being a master tactician, being a blatant hypocrite and your c grade post game analysis Whereas you wrote this: “I guess I was proved right once again and you aren’t even man enough to admit it as usual.” so, who’s seeking whose validation? :laughing: :laughing: I know you read my “waffle.” You bagged it and then copied it 11 hours later… Anyway. Back to the original question. Can you explain your comments that the Broncos were dominant for the first half and played all over the Panthers for most of the game… Did you watch the first half? The only explanation that makes sense is that you switched on at 43 minutes :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
What were your strategies exactly? I read your waffle that was a concoction of generalisations and statistics. It was no coherent strategy. Compare that to my 2 comments (on separate stories) and jimmmy's clear and concise strategy and try to learn from them. BTW TB, who is stalking who? I can't seem to get rid of you these days. You are always seeking my validation. Why?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah agreed. That’s why I described Cleary’s pass as a last pass as opposed to a try assist Crichton had heaps to do. He played brilliantly in that last 20. His two forced dropouts led to big moments as well
The Barry
Roar Guru
I had plenty of strategies… you bagged them and then regurgitated them 11 hours later, telling everyone what a genius you are, remember? Broncos were 15th in the regular season for tackles in the opposition 20 and 1st for long range tries. They were never going to go deep into Panthers territory and cross field kick for Cobbo. They haven’t done it all season. “The strategy wasn’t at fault?”. Yeah it was. It was never going to happen. You looked at Cobbo = tall. Turuva = short. Therefore they should do cross field kicks and you ignored their whole playing style for the past eight months. I told you that at the time… Anyway, back to the original question. Can you explain your comment that the Broncos dominated the first half of the grand final? Should be easy… you’ve never seen a grand final where a side was dominant for 63 minutes… Here’s some half time stats to get you started. Score Panthers 8-6. Run metres Panthers 1031-656. Offloads Panthers 8-4. Errors Broncos 7-1
mushi
Roar Guru
Were you proven right though? Mam stepped up and they lost. Hard to argue it wasn't a tight game when there was 2 pts in it at half and full time. Also hard to make any credible point that the broncos were all over the panthers in that first half, the scrambled and fought to stay in it but they were on the wrong side of that arm wrestle.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
The point was to change the angle of attack and attacking lines. To mix up their attack to keep the Panthers from controlling the play-the-ball. The Broncos missed an opportunity to capitalise on the height mismatch between Turuva and Cobbo. The strategy wasn't at fault. What strategies did you suggest genius? Anything specific or just vague generalisations as usual?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Sorry, I also forgot your nonsense about Reynolds needing to come up with cross field kicks for his wingers… how did that work out? Was there one? :laughing: :laughing: I guess you were proved wrong once again and you aren’t even man enough to admit it as usual :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
The Barry
Roar Guru
That was a very good call on Mam. Well done You also came up with some gems like “The Broncos kick chase will need to be on point” and “they need to show discipline to avoid penalties and set restarts.” and “Offloads are key to second phase play opportunities but carry inherent risk” You also waffled on about how the Broncos needed to stop To’o, Edwards and Turuva averaging 100 metres, which I showed up as nonsense with actual data Other than that you just regurgitated everything I’d written about the Broncos 11 hours before and you’d mocked “Your response was to laugh and say all their players need to step up” hahaha… how sad that you need to lie now to try and score points. Show me where I made that comment? “The Broncos played all over the Panthers for most of the match.” is just wrong and a terrible piece of analysis. The Panthers were all over the Broncos for the first 39 minutes of the game and the last 20. The Broncos were on top for 20 minutes of the second half and absolutely cashed in, but there’s no way, no how that they were dominant for 63 minutes
Redcap
Roar Guru
Dunno - if it's happened before, I'm not aware of it.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Yeah, a 24-8 lead with 17 mins to go in a GF is indicative of a tight game. :laughing: I posted 2 separate comments in the lead up to the game outlining the tactics that the Broncos needed to adopt. They did and look what happened. I asked if you could name the ONE Broncos player that needed to step up and make a difference to take the heat off Reynolds and Walsh. Your response was to laugh and say all their players need to step up. How astute of you. I rolled the dice and made a prediction that one player in particular needed to step up Ezra Mam. Ezra Mam: 3 tries, 160 run mtrs, 17.7 avg run mtrs, 2 line breaks, 6 tackle breaks, 1 offload, 16 tackles and 0 errors I would call that stepping up your game, wouldn't you? As a result of that performance and especially the 3 tries, Mam helped the Broncos to a 24-8 lead with 17 mins to go and put them into a position to win the game. As a result of Mam's performance Walsh was able to play off the back of that and the Panthers plans to stiffle the Broncos attack by smothering Walsh and Reynolds were negated. I guess I was proved right once again and you aren't even man enough to admit it as usual.
RoarRoar
Roar Rookie
I hoping someone, Kev Walters? , can explain why Reynolds took short dropouts early into the game. The first worked out well until old mate decided to bat the ball down instead of catching it. Result Penrith converted try. Then Reynolds does it again , out on the full, penalty Penrith 8 -0. What might have happened if the Broncos had played it safe by kicking deep we’ll never know. It could be speculated that, the way the Broncos dominated late in the 1st half and deep into the 2nd half the result could have been different. Even when the Broncos were still in front during the 2nd half Reynolds chose to kick the dropout deep towards the sideline which went out on the full which put Penrith back in front of posts. Can’t remember if Penrith scored soon after but the Broncos certainly didn’t need to be defending on there try line straight away. I reckon these weren’t errors, they were really bad tactics. The question is was it on field decisions or something the coaching staff came up with. Especially those dropouts in the first half, I don’t think I’ve ever seen that in a league match so early in the game. I thought I was going watching Rugby Union. I’d be amazed if we ever see that again in finals game.
csps
Roar Rookie
Stephen Crichton's try looked far from certain, he had a lot to do after Cleary's pass but managed to overrun several broncos and ground the ball over the line. Crichton's overall performance was a crucial part in the Panthers premiership comeback.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Do you really think the Broncos played all over the Panthers and dominated for most of the match? Broncos completed 12 of 20 sets in the first half and had 43% possession. Penrith were camped in the Broncos half. The Broncos defended well but were hanging on by the skin of their teeth. Flegler’s late try was completely against the run of play Surprised to hear that described as domination The Broncos were definitely dominant in the first 20 minutes of the second half, but outside of that, not at all…
The Barry
Roar Guru
…and just rewatched the second half…not quite as exciting as last night but still wow!!! Mam’s hat trick came in just ten minutes. Three scorching long range tries down the same channel on the left Panthers looked absolutely gassed. Even knowing the result it was difficult to see how they could possibly turn it around. Even after Mam’s third try, the Panthers have away a strip penalty which put the Broncs heavily on attack and lost Yeo to a HIA Walsh didn’t have a great game, but the move he put on Cleary for Mam’s third try was brilliant A bit of talk about whether the Broncos lost it or choked. I don’t think so. They came up against one of the all time great grand final performances. They fell off a few tackles but otherwise didn’t do too much wrong. Cleary was irresistible The line break to set up Leota’s try - what an effort play from the big fella to be backing up on the inside. Next set, kicked a 40/20. Last pass for Crichton’s try. Conversion from the sideline to put them within four. The foot over the sideline play and then the solo clutch try. It was an amazing passage Cleary was definitely the man, but Crichton was great in that last 20 as well. Scored his try well and forced two dropouts… one led to the kick out on the full, the second to Cleary’s game winning try Edwards ran for over 300 metres. JFH and Leota were immense Haas had a blinder for the Broncos. He’s Glenn Lazarus like in terms of his size x motor. Walsh played better than I thought he did last night. Reynolds was poor. They rely on his composure and experience but he was off… maybe because of the hip injury What a game!
Col in Paradise
Roar Rookie
And that's what gassed them out in the last 10 minutes whilst Cleary clicked up a couple of gears...
The Barry
Roar Guru
Warren Smith just announced the half time stats… Broncos completed 12 of 20 sets and had 43% possession in the first half Amazing effort to only be down by 2 points at half time