Broncos on the brink
B R I S B A N E ’ S p r e m i e r s h i p hopes are hanging by a thread after the Roosters overcame a stunning brain explosion from one of their own to break the Broncos’ hearts 24- 22 in a finals thriller last night.
The Broncos looked to have conjured a miracle when Roosters winger Blake Ferguson sensationally batted a 40- 20 kick into the path of Corey Oates, who swooped for a 22- 18 lead in the 71st minute.
But Brisbane were left shattered, with Roosters sensation Latrell Mitchell – the next Greg Inglis – crashing over five minutes from time to plunge the Broncos into sudden- death football next week.
The Roosters are now one win from a grand final, while the Broncos will sweat on the fitness of star fullback Darius Boyd for next week’s knockout final against Manly or Penrith at Suncorp Stadium.
Ultimately, the Roosters were the superior team. Missing Boyd, the Broncos were left to rue another insipid opening, slumping to a 14- 0 lead after 25 minutes as their forwards were monstered in midfield.
Trailing 14- 6 at halftime, the Broncos did well to hang tough and almost snatched a remarkable victory before Mit- chell sliced through to ease teammate Ferguson’s pain.
Brisbane’s first half wasn’t mediocre. It was worse. It was stupefyingly sloppy.
Within 20 minutes, the Broncos were floundering. Aidan Guerra ( 13th minute) and Boyd Cordner ( 18th) charged over as the Roosters destroyed the Brisbane ruck defence.
Bennett needs more from his halves. Handed the famous No. 7 jumper last night, Benji Marshall struggled to dominate, his 36th- minute try assist for James Roberts marred by four missed tackles and ineffective kicking.
Anthony Milford, Brisbane’s $ 1 million man, needs consistency. His good plays are sublime but he was exposed in defence, conceding two tries, including Luke Keary’s 43rdminute solo effort which gave the Roosters an 18- 6 lead.