Broncos props Matt Lodge and Tevita Pangai Junior returned to the game with a vengeance while young fullback Reece Walsh gave a glimpse of his huge potential as Brisbane drew with Wynnum Manly 22-22 at Kitchener Park.
Lodge and Pangai spent much of last season of the field but after a strong preseason both have returned to full fitness and were set on making a big impression in the opening trial game of 2021.
And they didn’t disappoint with a host of strong carries and tough defence in a big first half effort that laid the foundation for three slick Broncos tries in the opening half.
Winger Dale Copley scored in the left corner in the 5th minute after a lovely 15 metre cut out pass from fullback Reece Walsh.
Sadly it was the last action Copley would see as he was taken straight off after scoring, still feeling the effects of high contact to his throat in one of the first carries of the game.
Brisbane was in again when backrower Leivaha Pulu muscled his way over in the 10th minute off the back off a strong barnstorming Ethan Bullemor bust up the middle.
The by Walsh successful to make it 10-0 but Wynnum hit back in the 13th minute when fullback Selwyn Cobbo sliced through on the left edge to make it 10-4.
Winger Isaiah Tass extended the Broncos’ lead in the 26th minute when he picked up a nice short-side pass from Tyson Gamble to score in the left corner. Walsh slotted a lovely conversion from the touchline to make it 16-6.
Wynnum dragged it back to 16-10 with a fine individual try to Harrison Graham who produced two big left-foot steps to beat Albert Kelly and Pulu, before stretching out to score. Graham then converted his own try.
The Seagulls drew level with 15 minutes to go after winger Mathew Lyons showed some nice footwork after latching onto a cross kick and score out wide. Graham levelled up the contest with a successful kick from the left touchline.
Broncos Coach Kevin Walters put Lodge, Pangai, Bullemor and the slick Walsh back in for a final stint and it paid dividends with big meters made up the middle.
Bullemor crashed over with six minutes to go to regain the lead for the Broncos, the try converted by Josh James for a 22-16 lead.
But Wynnum hit back again when a kick pinballed into the midfield for centre Delouise Hoeter to pick up and score next to the posts.
In addition to Lodge, Pangai and Walsh, five eighth Tyson Gamble and hooker Kobe Hetherington bad strong games for the Broncos.
BRISBANE BRONCOS 22 (Tries: Copley, Pulu, Tass, Bullemor. Goals: Walsh 2, James) drew with Wynnum Manly Seagulls 22 (Tries: Cobbo, Campagnolo, Winters-Chang, Tuimavave-Gerrard. Goals: Campagnolo 3) at Kitchener Park, Wynnum.
