Andrew Pelechaty reviews the Saturday night clash between Brisbane and Newcastle, played at Suncorp Stadium…
MATCHDAY RESULTS
SCOREBOARD
Brisbane Broncos 28
Tries: Selwyn Cobbo 3 (18, 71, 76), Corey Oates (32), Ezra Mam (34)
Goals: Adam Reynolds 4 (19, 34, 36, 72)
Newcastle Knights 10
Tries: Daniel Saifiti (58), Bradman Best (65)
Goals: Anthony Milford (58)
MATCH REPORT
Embed from Getty ImagesThe underdog Knights held on for the first quarter at Lang Park before Brisbane (in their excellent Indigenous kits) scored through Selwyn Cobbo on a left-to-right shift. Adam Reynolds converted to give them a 6-0 lead.
Newcastle had a big chance 10 minutes later, but knocked on in slippery conditions.
Brisbane quickly punished them when Corey Oates went over in the left corner, his 19th try of 2022. Reynolds converted again for a 12-0 lead.
The Broncos doubled up with a beautiful try to Ezra Mam. It started on Brisbane’s 30 metre line with a break from Mam, who combining with a supporting Te Maire Martin for the try. Reynolds slotted a much easier conversion for an 18-0 lead approaching half-time.
Like the first half, it took 20 minutes until the first second half points came, with Newcastle scoring through Daniel Saifiti, which gave the Knights a sniff of a comeback.
Newcastle continued to fight when Bradman Best barged over with 15 minutes remaining, which was eventually approved by the Bunker despite a possible obstruction. Anthony Milford missed the conversion as Brisbane led 18-10, which livened up a slightly flat contest.
Brisbane sealed the game with Cobbo’s second try – again in the right corner.
Cobbo got his hat-trick off a Reynolds kick that was as perfectly pitched as a Rashid Khan leg break. It was Cobbo’s second hat-trick this season.
Brisbane moved up to sixth with the win and are still in the hunt for a top four finish.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS
Embed from Getty Images3 pts – Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos), 2pts – Corey Oates (Broncos), 1 pt – Adam Reynolds (Broncos)
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