Andrew Pelechaty reviews the Saturday night clash between Brisbane and the Wests Tigers, played at Suncorp Stadium …
MATCHDAY RESULTS
SCOREBOARD
Brisbane Broncos 18
Tries: Tesi Niu (19), Ezra Mam (26), Jordan Riki (57)
Goals: Adam Reynolds 2 (21, 28), Kotoni Staggs (57)
Wests Tigers 32
Tries: Brent Naden (11), Jock Madden (37), Starford To’a (45), Zane Musgrove (49), Adam Doueihi (75)
Goals: Adam Doueihi (12, 39, 47, 51, 73 – pen, 76)
MATCH REPORT
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter having victory cruelly ripped away in Townsville last weekend, the Tigers were first to score at Lang Park, with Brent Naden going over in the left corner after 11 minutes. A great sideline conversion from Adam Doueihi gave Wests a 6-0 lead.
Brisbane struck back eight minutes later through Tesi Niu, who scored in the right corner. Adam Reynolds converted to tie the game at 6-6.
Brisbane hit the front through Ezra Mam, “turtling” himself close to the try-line and managing to plant the footy down over his head. Reynolds gave Brisbane a 12-6 lead 12 minutes from the break.
Unlike last week, the Tigers had some Captain’s Challenge luck, successfully overturning a Doueihi knock-on, but they couldn’t take advantage of it.
Wests levelled the scores at 12-12 just before half-time through Jock Madden, juggling a pass from Kelma Tuilagi before scoring.
Wests opened the scoring in the second half with a spectacular try to Starford To’a. The Tigers spread the footy to the right after a massive bomb was allowed to bounce. There was a big blow for Brisbane with Reynolds leaving the field, but he eventually passed his HIA.
Wests went ahead 24-12 when Zane Musgrove scored.
Brisbane struck back through a barging run from Jordan Riki. Kotoni Staggs’ conversion cut the margin to six with 23 minutes left.
With eight minutes left, a dangerous tackle penalty from Patrick Carrigan on Jackson Hastings (with Carrigan placed on report) gave Wests a penalty shot. Doueihi kicked it to give Wests a 26-18 lead.
Wests sealed the game when Doueihi strolled over from the scrum, giving them a 14-point lead.
It was a redemptive win for the Tigers after a drama-filled week (which distances them from the last-placed Gold Coast); while Brisbane fell out of the top four, but are still on equal on points with the fourth-placed Melbourne Storm.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS
Embed from Getty Images3 pts – Adam Doueihi (Tigers), 2 pts – Ken Maumalo (Tigers), 1 pt – Tesi Niu (Broncos)
Follow Nothing But League on Facebook.
