Lockyer inspires rare Newcastle victory
by Chris Cox
Sunday July 18, 2004

Darren Lockyer has manufactured the Brisbane Broncos' first win in Newcastle since 1998 with a 16-12 result at EnergyAustralia Stadium.  Lockyer had a hand in all three of Brisbane's tries during a match played in a gale force southerly.

The Broncos trailed 6-4 at half time after running into the wind in the first stanza, but came out firing early in the second with tries to Karmichael Hunt and Brent Tate.

Hunt finished off a magical 85-metre movement which went through seven sets of hands with Lockyer handling three times. 

Lockyer then put Tate over with a neat pass with the Test centre storming through a gap to score behind the uprights for a 16-6 lead.

However, a misdirected offload from Gorden Tallis shortly after gifted a try to George Carmont to reduce the margin to just four points.  Newcastle lifted and looked certain to score several times in the final 10 minutes only to be denied by video referee Paul Simpkins.

The Broncos held on for their first win in the Hunter Valley since their 26-6 win over the Knights in 1998.  That year Brisbane went on to win the premiership, and while that will be the furthest thing from coach Wayne Bennett's mind, the courage and commitment the Broncos showed should ensure a solid finish going into the finals.  A repeat of last year's 7-losses in a row prior to the finals seems highly unlikely.

Lockyer was magnificent, with other strong performances from Dane Carlaw, Brad Meyers, David Stagg and Michael Ryan. Newcastle's best was Ben Kennedy, who finally put in a committed performance in club colours after seemingly going through the motions for much of the season. Hooker Danny Buderus played solidly while halfback Kurt Gidley and fullback Robbie O'Davis also performed well for the home side.

Earlier Clint Newton put the Knights on the front foot when he charged through a gap from a neat Gidley pass. 

Newcastle threw everything at the Broncos but they held firm.  Brisbane looked to get on the scoreboard in the 35th minute when Shaun Berrigan finished off some scintillating play. However, video referee Paul Simpkins ruled Berrigan had impeded O'Davis in the lead up.

There was no denying Stagg just before half time, the young back rower or centre charging onto a Lockyer pass to score in the corner.  Lockyer's conversion just missed into the wind to leave his side trailing by two points at the break.

Brisbane remain outright third and four points clear of fourth placed Penrith.