MATCH REPORT | Brisbane Broncos 16-22 Wests Tigers
Wests Tigers get a victory at the death against the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium
MATCH DETAILS
A match that was promised to be a close encounter lived up to the expectation with both sides wanting to bounce back. The Brisbane team took the first try to the scoreboard in the opening four minutes through backrower Matt Gillett after a break down the sideline by Jamayne Isaako to then kick back inside for him to gather. Loose possession by the Broncos allowed Tigers more time to set up plays which lead to their first four-pointer, with Luke Brooks producing a cross-field kick to Michael Chee-Kam who dragged players close to the line and offload for Luke Garner to dive over just before the half having scores 8-6 to Brisbane.
Kicking was fundamental for Wests to take the win, with another high towering bomb it allowed winger Corey Thompson to leap above the opposition to tip the ball onto Brooks who quickly gave it to prop Matt Eisenhuth to score in the 52nd min gaining the lead 14-8 with the conversion. Pressure from kicks continued with Broncos forced to do multiple dropouts before being penalised, allowing Tigers to get another 2 points with 18 minutes left. Kodi Nikorima later took the ball to the line and dummied to break through, with forward David Fifita in support to give back to Nikorima to score a try in the 67th minute. A penalty in front by the visitors allowed Broncos to tie it up 16 all with a conversion in the 70th minute. Disorganisation pitted Brisbane in the Wests half with them unable to ice the match which in turn allowed their opposition to march down the field with a heads-up play by Chee-Kam breaking the line and scoring at the death to win 22-16.
FOUR POINTERS
Tigers Win Thriller
An unlikely result was seen with the Wests Tigers going to Brisbane and winning in a thrilling conclusion to the match. Looking the best for the majority of the match the Tigers had control with their kicks and their forwards dominating which turned the Broncos inside out by the end of the fixture, Chee-Kam taking the ball in the final minute bamboozled the opposition defence to cut through to score the try which won the match outright. The victory now has Brisbane one win from five games played and Wests securing their third win of the year to move up the ladder.
Broncos Bombed Tries
It was what had Brisbane supporters mostly frustrated throughout the first half which could have had made for a different outcome in their favour. In the 24th minute, a classic left side shift allowed for winger Corey Oates to blast down his sideline and pass inside for his centre Jack Bird but unfortunately for his team, he knocked on over the line. David Fifita showed his skill with a grubber to himself which got gathered up however he was unable to hold the ball over the line being under the posts which saw Tigers take the possession to the other end and score themselves.
Game Management
The Broncos spine will no doubt come under scrutiny again after another loss at their home ground. It was evident that Brisbane was being outclassed in the management of the game through their playmakers with Robbie Farah, Luke Brooks and Josh Reynolds all creating the plays for Tigers with long and short kicks producing repeat sets but also setting up tries in different manners. A look into Anthony Milford’s game with Nikorima and Andrew McCullough will be a priority for Brisbane to get out of this challenging period with the club not needing individual brilliance but game management to steer the side to a win.
Tigers Halves Terrific
It was a polar opposite in the class of the halves in this fixture with not having played many games compared to the pairing in the Brisbane outfit, the Wests playmakers produced the goods. Luke Brooks and Josh Reynolds orchestrated plays with their kicks and their field placing which produced two of the three tries that had them win the match but also apply the pressure which led to penalty conversions. Over 500 kick metres were also made off the back of their forwards laying a strong platform for the pair to work off which was the difference in the match.
THE RESULT
Broncos 16
Tries: Gillett, Nikorima
Goals: Isaako 4/4
Tigers 22
Tries: Garner, Eisenhuth, Chee-Kam
Goals: Marsters 5/5
SQUADS
Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Jack Bird 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Anthony Milford 7. Kodi Nikorima 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Joe Ofahengaue 11. Alex Glenn 12. Matt Gillett 18. Payne Haas Interchange: 13. David Fifita 15. Jaydn Su’a 16. Thomas Flegler 17. Patty Carrigan.
Tigers: 1. Moses Mbye 2. Mahe Fonua 3. Robert Jennings 4. Esan Marsters 5. Corey Thompson 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Luke Brooks 8. Russell Packer 9. Robbie Farah 10. Alex Twal 11. Ryan Matterson 12. Luke Garner 13. Josh Aloiai Interchange: 14. Ben Matulino 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Michael Chee-Kam.
