The Thunderbolts have suffered their second consecutive loss after going down 10-30 to Brisbane at AAMI Park on Friday night.
The visitors held off a fast finishing Melbourne side whose two tries in the space of three second half minutes gave them hope of a comeback victory.
The Broncos first half proved too greater challenge to overcome with the home side required to play catch up in the second half.
Brisbane got the scoring underway in the first half after an error riddled opening 10 minutes of play.
With possession changing hands on multiple occasions the Broncos made the most of a set of six deep in Melbourne’s half when Tristian Lumley crossed the try-line for the first points of the evening.
The Thunderbolts defence was required to hold up for long periods during the first half as the visitors piled on the pressure. After 20 minutes Melbourne finally arrested some possession and forced Brisbane back up the park as Dean Pay’s side worked their way into the game.
However, two tries in the last 10 minutes of the half gave the Bronco’s a comfortable lead heading into the main break.
An early second half try from Brisbane’s Brandon Lee looked to have put the result beyond doubt however a resurgence from the home side bridged the gap approaching the hour mark.
Two tries in quick succession from Ben Meehan and then Mahe Fonua brought the Thunderbolts to within 10 points with all the momentum heading into the final 20 minutes of play.
However the comeback proved to be too much as Soape Palau’s second try of the evening dampened the home side’s hopes as Brisbane steered to a 20 point victory.
Final Score. Melbourne 10 – Brisbane 30
Melbourne 10
Tries: Ben Meehan (56’), Mahe Fonua (58’)
Goals: Denny Solomona 1
Defeated by.
Brisbane 30
Tries: Tristian Lumley (12’), Caleb Timu (29’) Soape Palau (39’), Brandon Lee (43’), Soape Palau (74’), Mitchell Moore (80’)
Goals: Cameron Cullen 1, Kodi Nikorima 1, Louis Frisby 1.
