The Broncos notched two wins on the trot for the first time in two seasons with a 22-12 victory over the Eels in Brisbane on Saturday afternoon.
Brisbane set up a 16-6 lead and the home side began to take control until the game turned on its head when Brianna Clark (high tackle) and Jasmine Fogavini (hip-drop) were both sin-binned within a minute.
A spirited Eels outfit crossed for a try immediately through Monique Donovan and looked like levelling the game until an Abbi Church pass to Kim Hunt was called forward.
The Broncos went downfield once Clark and Fogavini returned with Mariah Denman and Lavinia Gould linking for a try to secure the win.
Earlier, the Broncos came out firing with Lauren Dam having the first attempt at scoring two minutes into the match before the play was called back for a forward pass from Shenae Ciesiolka.
Ashleigh Werner try 8th minute
They didn't have to wait too much longer, however, before the home side went over for their first try when Hayley Maddick put Ashleigh Werner over in the left corner.
The Eels stunned the Broncos shortly after when Rueben Cherrington darted over from dummy half to take a two-point lead before the Broncos gained momentum as the match went on.
Maddick was nearly able to return serve, but a desperate defensive effort from the Eels caused her to lose the ball over the goal line.
Monique Donovan try 52nd minute
A handling error from the Eels gave the Broncos their next opportunity to strike with Jada Ferguson delivering a pass for a steaming Chelsea Lenarduzzi to score left of the posts in the 31st minute.
Parramatta's fourth-straight loss was compounded with another calf injury for star recruit Elsie Albert, who left the field in the first half in a devastated state, but in a positive Rachael Pearson made a return and the Eels looked more composed.
The Broncos took advantage of the Eels' inexperience with Mele Hufanga crossing in the 41st minute in individual brilliance that showed footwork and sheer strength to score under the posts.
Brisbane were left to defend with 11 players on field when Clark was put on report and binned for high contact on Church in the 50th minute, followed by a separate incident in the next set which saw teammate Fogavini binned for a hip drop tackle.
It didn’t take the Eels long to find the overlap which allowed them to get the ball out wide for winger Donovan to score in the 52nd minute.
Chelsea Lenarduzzi try 31st minute
Pearson was able to convert from the sideline and bring her team back into the contest with scores sitting at 16-12 in favour of the home team.
Pressure was building with both teams firing shots at each other, but it was the Broncos who were able to compose themselves and put Denman over the line to score under the posts for her first NRLW try.
Match: Broncos v Eels
Round 4 -
home Team
Broncos
6th Position
away Team
Eels
10th Position
Venue: Totally Workwear Stadium, Brisbane
Match snapshot
- Broncos five-eighth Gayle Broughton withdrew pre-game due to personal reasons.
- Brisbane recorded back-to-back wins for the first time since Round 3, 2021.
- Broncos winger Ashleigh Werner made a strong return from a two-match suspension early with her first NRLW try before Rueben Cherrington followed suit with her first-career four-pointer in the competition.
- The Eels lost Elsie Albert to a reaggravated calf injury in the first half.
- Broncos prop Brianna Clark was sin-binned in the second half for high contact on Abbi Church before Jasmine Fogavini was next to the bin.
- Clark and Chelsea Lenarduzzi led the Broncos in run metres, with both players notching up over 381meters combined.
- Eels centre Kim Hunt was denied a try in the 61st minute.
Play of the game
It was Mariah Denman whose first ever NRLW try secured the Broncos' second victory of the season when she collected a Lavinia Gould short pass as the clock neared fulltime.
Mariah Denman try 65th minute
What they said
“I think they played with a lot of heart. They were very courageous, an improved performance with some of our game management, with Rach (Pearson) coming back it was good to see the girls have someone who could steer them around, the team have all built confidence off that and I look forward to working with them on that this week." – Parramatta Eels coach Dean Widders.
Eels: Round 4
“It was a hard-fought win and very proud of the girls for their efforts. It was certainly a proud moment for the club in short history I guess in the women’s space [to win with 11]. At one point there I looked onto the field and I thought we had a touch footy team out there against a rugby league side, but we train for that scenario, having a couple of players down defensively, it’s not ideal by any stretch, it certainly gives everyone a heart attack watching from the outside looking in but the girls effort to work hard for one and other is what is the most pleasing thing about it is that whatever challenge that we will face the girls are up for the task. We don’t want it to happen every week, but it is good to have that there in our back pocket.” – Brisbane Broncos coach Scott Prince.
Broncos: Round 4
What's next
The Brisbane Broncos are set for a trip down south next Sunday, where they take on the Newcastle Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium, while the Eels travel to GIO Stadium to clash with the Canberra Raiders in the final game of Round 5.
