Andrew Pelechaty reviews the XXXX Derby at Suncorp Stadium. Here’s how the game went.
SCOREBOARD
Broncos 37
Tries: Jamayne Isaako (9), Alex Glenn (14), Kotoni Staggs (21, 47), Brodie Croft (34), Jordan Riki (77).
Goals: Jamayne Isaako (16, 23, 35, 49, 70 – pen, 79)
One-Point Field Goal: Tyson Gamble (75)
Cowboys 18
Tries: Jake Granville (19), Tom Dearden (25), Kyle Feldt (57).
Goals: Scott Drinkwater (27, 40 – pen, 58)
Player of the Year Points
3 pts – Tyson Gamble (Brisbane Broncos)
2 pts – Jamayne Isaako (Brisbane Broncos)
1 pt – Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos)
MATCH REPORT
Embed from Getty Images1st Half
Brisbane were first to score through Jamayne Isaako in the ninth minute, pouncing on a grubber from Tyson Gamble, to give the Broncos a 4-0 lead in the XXXX Derby at Lang Park.
Brisbane then increased their lead to 10-0 when Alex Glenn scored for Broncos after a big break from Isaako, a stepping run and a kick infield; it was good ad-lib play from Broncos to recover the kick and score.
Five minutes later, Jake Granville scored for North Queensland from close range, cutting Brisbane’s lead to 10-4.
Kotoni Staggs scored from a beautiful cut-out pass from Gamble; Isaako converted to push Brisbane’s lead to 16-4.
Thomas Dearden scored against his old club to cut the Broncos’ lead to 16-10.
After the Broncos defied the Cowboys for three sets on their line, the much-maligned Brodie Croft scored to extend Brisbane’s lead to 22-10. The Broncos’ tenacious defence was a welcome sign after conceding an average of 30 points per game in 2021.
The Cowboys finished the half with a Scott Drinkwater penalty goal.
After a valiant display against Penrith last week, Brisbane – who’ve lacked consistency for the past two seasons – would’ve been pleased to back up last week’s efforts.
HALF-TIME: Brisbane Broncos 22 North Queensland Cowboys 12
2nd Half
A blow for the Broncos early in the second half, with Jake Turpin going off with an ankle injury.
Staggs got his second try – in the right corner – after an error from Coen Hess. Isaako nailed the tough sideline conversion to extend Brisbane’s lead to 28-12.
The Cowboys hit back with a try to Kyle Feldt (in his 150th game), catching a massive pass from Drinkwater to score in the right corner. Like Isaako before him, Drinkwater drilled the sideline conversion to reduce Brisbane’s lead to 28-18. With 20 minutes left, it was game on.
Feldt looked like he’d scored again four minutes later, after a lovely grubber from Drinkwater, but (after it’d been ruled a try on-field) the Bunker ruled that Feldt had knocked on. It was a big let off for the Broncos as there was a fingertip in it and looked like a try at normal speed. We’re sure to hear more about this in the next few days.
The Cowboys made a crucial error with 10 minutes left, conceding an off-side penalty off a short drop out. Isaako kicked the penalty goal to give Brisbane a huge 30-18 lead.
Gamble made sure of it five minutes later, with a field goal giving Brisbane a 13-point lead.
Jordan Riki scored as Brisbane closed out the XXXX Derby in style with their highest score of 2021. The Cowboys suffered their seventh loss in a row and fall to 14th.
FULL-TIME: Brisbane Broncos 37 North Queensland Cowboys 18
Injuries
to be advised
Match Review Committee
to be advised
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