How the Broncos rated of their first NRL Grand Last because the 2015 heartbreaking loss to the North Queensland Cowboys.
And it was one other night time that appeared like it could finish with a trophy however it was snatched away from them within the dying phases.
Reece Walsh, Kotoni Staggs and Adam Reynolds had been rocks and diamonds whereas Ezra Mam unleashed the perfect efficiency of his younger profession to almost deny Penrith a three-peat.
1. Reece Walsh: Seemed pissed off all through the primary half after being properly contained and hauled again into the in-goal space at one stage by the swarming Panthers defenders. He got here up with two line breaks but additionally made a number of essential errors. He’ll be taught from the expertise. 6/10
2. Jesse Arthars: Made a line get away of nothing halfway via the primary half and was arguably Brisbane’s greatest participant within the opening stanza, justifying Kevin Walters’ choice to play him forward of skilled teammate Corey Oates. 6.5/10
3. Kotoni Staggs: Got here up with an excellent take from a excessive ball within the first half then turned possession over on the play-the-ball, resulting in the primary attempt to Mitch Kenny. Was one other of the hot-and-cold brigade and missed a vital sort out on Stephen Crichton to concede a late strive. 4/10
4. Herbie Farnworth: Brisbane tried to get him into open area and when he did he chewed up the metres, making 179 all as much as be his staff’s greatest in that division. They’re going to overlook him subsequent yr when he’s a Dolphin. 7/10
5. Selwyn Cobbo: Made an early fumble and didn’t see a lot ball. Wanted to get extra concerned. 3/10
6. Ezra Mam: Produced a scorching strive within the forty fifth minute, then one other after which one other as a part of a barely plausible blitz. He has lived within the shadow of Reece Walsh early in his profession however the Broncos have one other attacking celebrity of the longer term on their arms with this 20-year-old. Would have gained the Clive Churchill Medal if not for that Nathan Cleary fella getting in the way in which. 9/10
Ezra Mam celebrates with teammates. (Photograph by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Pictures)
7. Adam Reynolds: Went down within the twenty fifth minute with a groin damage after a authorized Scott Sorensen sort out pressured the veteran Bronco to do the splits as he went to the bottom. Whether or not it was that damage or an off night time however his usually dependable kicking sport was wayward and it got here again to chew the Broncos. 4.5/10
8. Tom Flegler: Was hauled off by the bunker for an HIA within the first half however returned to the fray to be Brisbane’s unlikely first tryscorer within the thirty ninth minute. He was much less efficient within the second half however stuffed his position in his ultimate match earlier than becoming a member of the Dolphins. 7/10
9. Billy Walters: Kicked a 40/20 early within the contest and continued his 2023 development of proving he’s within the staff for his capability, not his surname. 7/10
10. Payne Haas: Pushed a go early which led to a Reynolds fumble. Made 150m and 40 tackles so a usually hard-working show with out dominating the Panthers. 7/10
11. Kurt Capewell: His involvement isn’t as impactful because it was a few years in the past. Maybe he must shift right into a center ahead position within the ultimate years of his profession. 6/10
Reece Walsh. (Photograph by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Pictures)
12. Jordan Riki: Ran with power and wasn’t overawed by the event however was not in a position to make a distinction on his edge. 6/10
13. Patrick Carrigan: Obtained via a mountain of labor with solely a nine-minute break. One among Brisbane’s greatest, as all the time. 8/10
14. Tyson Smoothy: The Broncos appeared energised when Smoothy was blended into the combination late within the first half, laying on Flegler’s strive with the fitting play near the road. 6/10
15. Brendan Piakura: Was not used within the first half and solely obtained 20 minutes within the second. 4/10
16. Kobe Hetherington: Was additionally not used within the first half and obtained the same stint when the beginning middles had been off. 5/10
17. Keenan Palasia: Gave the Broncos a spark when he got here on halfway via the primary half and equalled Haas’ 150m effort as essentially the most by a Brisbane ahead. 7/10
