Brisbane proved the doubters wrong when their depleted side took down the Cowboys in a Good Friday cracker in what was a huge win in their bid to prove they can go one step better in 2024.
The 38-12 scoreline did not reflect how close the game was – it was in the balance for 65 minutes, but the Broncos kicked clear with three unanswered tries and left North Queensland scoreless in the second half.
Brisbane were under the pump with Reece Walsh and Payne Haas out injured and there were doubts about whether they could match it with the previously unbeaten Cowboys. The answer to this debate was a monstrous ‘yes’.
It was by far Brisbane’s best performance of 2024 and has got their season back on track as they look to go one better than last year’s Grand Final heartbreak.
Their loss against Penrith in Round 3 wasn’t the end of the world, as Adam Reynolds was missing.
The Cowboys derby was all about how they responded to the 22-point loss to the premiers.
As much as it was a whole team performance, Reynolds proved why he’s won of the best halfbacks in the modern era.
He delivered a clinic as he tore the Cowboys defence apart and was giving their back three nightmares with his bombs. His high kicks were nearly impossible to catch, especially in the first half, when the rain was pelting down.
The way he was able to manipulate the defence was a sight to see and if he stays fit all season, he will be the key to taking the extra step and winning their first premiership since 2006.
The next best performance of the night was Patrick Carrigan. The Queensland representative had a strong effect on the game every time he touched the ball.
If the Broncos were on a dangerous attacking raid or coming out of their own end, he was the man to go to. He ran the most metres for Brisbane (207), and also made the most tackles (41). He is a two-way hard-working classic footy player, who knows his job and excels in it as well as anyone.
Tristan Sailor. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Tristan Sailor made a great impression and will give Kevin Walters a headache. Billy Walters has been starting at hooker and Tyson Smoothy has been the utility player off the bench. After Sailor’s superb performance against the Cowboys, he has convinced everyone that he deserves a spot in the 17 somewhere.
He will likely have at least another couple of weeks to impress in the starting fullback role, although Walsh is pushing to be back by Round 6.
Smoothy has been great off the bench; good enough that fans are wanting him too start at hooker over Walters, who has been under the pump more than any other Bronco this season, although he responded well against the Cowboys, scoring the opening try.
Sailor and Smoothy are both better players and Kevin Walters should look at playing Smoothy as his starting hooker, as he’s rarely made a negative play when he’s on the field.
Sailor could then come off the bench and that would remove Walters from the 17. This would be a tough decision; however it needs to be trialled as Billy seems to make a lot of unnecessary plays that lead to errors.
Kevin Walters trialled having Corey Oates on the bench against the Cowboys to cover injuries out wide or have the option to throw him into the forwards.
Overall, this was such an important performance from Brisbane, and it build a large amount of momentum for the upcoming blockbusters against the Storm this Thursday and Dolphins in Round 6.
Stewy76
Roar Rookie
Agreed. The modern game has certainly seen hookers carry a disproportionate load in defence. I wonder if that will change over time? I think players like Cam Murray and Jake Trbojevic are enormously valuable because they take some of the load of their 9's. Although Cam Murray's efforts don't seem to stop Cook still needing to make a mountain of tackles.
langparker
Roar Rookie
I was sceptical of Billy Walters being a consistent quality NRL player in early 2023 but have to accept that his form lat year and most times this season he has been one of their more reliable players. I don’t quite get the ‘Smoothy on the bench’ strategy, I don’t think he offers anything different to Billy when he comes on and isn’t big enough to slot in elsewhere in the pack or cover a backline injury. Just because it ‘sort of’ worked with Brandon Smith and Harry Grant at the Storm doesn’t mean everyone should do it, Smith was a very robust option in the back row when needed. If Mozer is all he’s been rated as by their recruitment team, surely he comes in now and gets the necessary NRL experience before origin comes around or he’ll end up down the M1 at the titans graveyard. About time they bit the bullet with Corey Paix, give him a partial payout and let him head to another NRL or English SL club to get his career back on track. That or subsidise his contract in the UK for the rest of the season, which would free up a spot in the top 30.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I think it's more that a lot of 9s can't go 80. It's an incredibly tough position to play. The defensive work alone is enormous. Some guys have rhe motor to go 80 but a lot don't.
Christo
Roar Guru
Hey Rubbish Surf 69, thanks for your question. I'd play Smoothy for the full 80, and if that doesn't work out, then Billy would be bought back into the side to play the full 80, or even maybe Blake Mozer. Sailor would then be on the bench as a utility. 14. Sailor 15. Hetherington 16. Willison 17, Te Kura- I know about the news that Oates has secured a bench spot for the rest of the season, but that is how i'd name the team.
Stewy76
Roar Rookie
I'm surprised with the comment that suggests 'the fans are wanting him (Smoothy) too start at hooker over Walters.. The punters I chat with suggest that Billy is probably earning himself the 9 jersey for 80 minutes and Smoothy could be pushed down the line.. ?? I'm not exactly sure why teams these days find the option of a second hooker so very critical in a side. I would think it would be a luxury you'd explore when you have two outstanding hookers on the team but if they are not game changing players I'd rather have a player like Sailor coming off the bench after 50 minutes.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I am more and more convinced by Billy Walters every time I see him play. He's never going to be an immortal, but if he was out of the 17, I think the Broncos would be worse off.
Rubbish Surf 69
Roar Rookie
So you'd have Sailor as playing a few minutes at hooker, or does Smoothy become an 80 minute player? What would your four man bench be (injuries aside) ?
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
I don’t think enough credit can is given to the plans that Walters came up with for this match, the opposition and the conditions. Yes Reynolds and Carrigan in particular had monster games, but Kevvie did a great job putting the entire squad in a position to win a match but win it in similar style to the way they played at the end of last year. I’d also give the young guys a bit more time to see how they go before making any predictions about their futures. No argument Sailor was very good at the back and Smoothy equally good at dummy half, but they’ve got the Storm, Dolphins and Raiders, none of which will be easy games