Broncos give Eels slip in nailbiter

REVENGE was sweet for Brisbane who all but sealed a topeight finish by pipping Parramatta 17-16 in an NRL golden point thriller at Suncorp Stadium last night.

After a bust by the inspirational David Fifita, Jamayne Isaako iced the match-winning field goal in the opening minute of extra time to bring the 33,020-strong crowd to their feet.

Isaako almost claimed victory with 39 seconds left in regular time, only for his monster 45m field goal attempt to hit the post.

Still smarting from a 38-10 round 14 thrashing from the Eels, the Broncos moved provisionally to seventh spot while also denting Parramatta’s top-four hopes.

Brisbane overcame the 47th minute sinbinning of hooker Andrew McCullough for a professional foul to clinch the victory, ensuring they will lock in a finals berth if they overcome Canterbury in the last round.

But sixth-placed Parramatta’s top four hopes are all but gone with their second straight loss.

Fullback Anthony Milford was inspirational for Brisbane but his 76th minute knock-on proved a turning point. A few plays later Eels prop Kane Evans crashed over in the 77th minute to level the scores 16-16.

Under-fire captain Darius Boyd answered his critics with a much improved display. CAMERON Murray bagged a spectacular double as South Sydney Sydney beat the Warriors 31-10 to keep their NRL top-four hopes alive.

Outstanding young lock Murray was the game’s best player in Auckland last night, busting through the Warriors defence in timely fashion to lift the Rabbitohs to third place provisionally.

The visitors weren’t at their best but they were clinical enough to beat a Warriors team who conceded 12 penalties and completed a forgettable season at Mt Smart Stadium.

After a committed first half and trailing just 14-10, the Warriors fell away badly. They have conceded 115 points in their last three games.

Murray enhanced a reputation already boosted by three bright bench appearances for the victorious NSW State of Origin side.

South Sydney dominated the second half, aided by an alarming Warriors error count and ill-discipline.