SPORT Oates skill lifts Broncos

ATTENTION Mr Flanagan – you must start James Segeyaro at hooker for the Sharks to have any chance of premiership success this season.

That was the feeling at Southern Cross Group Stadium last night after Segeyaro almost sparked a stunning comeback victory over Brisbane.

Cronulla was flat, error-riddled and ill-disciplined in the opening 60 minutes to trail 16-4. Enter Segeyaro. The proud PNG-born hooker ignited the Sharks with a potent 30-metre surge to pave the way for a Ricky Leutele try, before setting up Wade Graham for the match leveller. Then heartbreak hit. Brisbane winger Corey Oates scored a brilliant mid-air try in the western corner with 10 minutes remaining to give the Broncos the lead.

The Sharks were then controversially denied a vital field territory in the closing minutes when it appeared Broncos fullback Darius Boyd had knocked on.

In the end, though, no call was made by the match officials as Brisbane held on.

Cronulla can’t win the competition if its handling and discipline remains this substandard.

The Sharks bombed three try-scoring opportunities, while they fumbled their way through the majority of the match.

Cronulla’s struggles aside, Brisbane deserves praise for a gutsy away win.

A return to form from million-dollar man Anthony Milford helped the Broncos put a dent in Cronulla’s premiership credentials.

Milford scored a mesmerising solo try in the first half, while he controlled proceedings with a pinpoint kicking game.

But it was Oates’ freakish skills that got Brisbane home.

Brisbane’s win came on a night when potential Broncos coaching candidate Craig Bellamy agreed to a three-year contract extension with Melbourne worth $5.1 million.

It now appears Bennett will be at the Broncos until at least the end of the 2019 season.

BRISBANE 20 (A Milford C Oates T Pangai Junior tries J Isaako 4 goals) bt CRONULLA 16 (W Graham R Leutele J Ramien tries C Townsend 2 goals) at Southern Cross Group Stadium