A Jock Madden field goal helped the Broncos withstand a late Sea-Eagles surge to come away with a 13-12 victory at Suncorp Stadium on Friday.
After leading 12-0 for the first 50 minutes the Broncos conceded two late tries before the understudy halfback stepped up to ice the Brisbane's fourth Magic Round victory against the Sea Eagles.
The match-winning moment came just minutes after star prop Payne Haas made a miracle return for his side after being helped from the field earlier with a toe injury.
The Broncos struck first when fill-in halfback Madden made an early statement, taking on the line before putting Brendan Piakura over with a pinpoint pass to the left.
Brendan Piakura Try
The Sea Eagles went a man down after Taniela Pasieka was sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle on Selwyn Cobbo and Brisbane were quick to capitalise with Deine Mariner crossing in the right corner in the next set. Kotoni Staggs converted for a 12-0 lead.
Manly managed to wrestle back some momentum and had several opportunities in their attacking zone but Brisbane's defence held firm and they took a 12-point lead to the sheds.
The arm-wrestle continued in to the second half and after 41-minutes of trading sets Suncorp Stadium broke out a 'Sweet Caroline' to keep the spirits high.
But Reuben Garrick silenced the crowd when Haumole Olakau'atu put the strike centre into space to put Manly back in the match 12-6.
Reuben Garrick Try
With 10 minutes to play, a Broncos offside penalty handed Manly a repeat set and they sent the ball right for debutant Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega to cross in the corner and Garrick converted from the sideline to tie things up 12-12.
With the clock winding down, the Broncos then powered up field courtesy of a Jaxson Paulo high tackle and Madden slotted the one-pointer to ice another Magic Round victory.
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Match Snapshot
- Broncos prop Payne Haas left the field in the 60th minute with a suspected toe injury but returned in the 75th minute.
- Ben Trbojevic was placed on report for a crusher tackle on Jordan Riki
- Rookie hooker Blake Mozer entered the fray for the Broncos in the 34th minute and had 51 passes out of dummy half and made 16 tackles in a 30-minute stint.
- Manly young gun Tolutau Koula stood up in his first game filling in for an injured Tom Trbojevic at fullback, running 244 metres and breaking five tackles.
- The Broncos had four line breaks in the first half while the Sea Eagles had zero.
- Broncos skipper Pat Carrigan continued his remarkable run of form, running the ball 268 metres and making 34 tackles.
- The Sea Eagles have won only one of their five Magic Round games.
Play of the Game
Jock Madden was in everything early, setting up a try and a line break to help the Broncos to a 12-0 lead. But when the broncos needed a cool-headed, crafty playmaker to break the deadlock in the final stages of the game, the 24-year-old stood up to slot a career first NRL field goal.
Jock Madden gives Broncos the lead
What They Said
"It was a really good contest which we needed as much as anyone, a lot of our scores have been blow outs either way so a good tight game is always good for the mind and good for the soul. He (Selwyn Cobbo) only found out yesterday after training that he was playing fullback and it's a totally different role to centre and he did some really good stuff out the back. Selwyn doesn't care what the score is, he just plays and I thought he was really good for us." - Broncos coach Kevin Walters
Broncos: Round 11
"I'm really proud, obviously we came here to get the win and thought we would win so we're disappointed with that but I was proud of the toughness that the boys went after it with. I think there was a real hard edge to how we played our footy for the last 65 minutes so there was a lot to like. He (Tolutau Koula) showed some really good signs tonight, I thought the longer the game went, the more involved he got. He's got some real speed and is tough too." - Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold
Sea Eagles: Round 11
What's Next
The Sea Eagles return home to host their old rivals Melbourne on Friday night while the Broncos enjoy another week at Suncorp with a Sunday afternoon Queensland derby with the Titans.