Four in a row
by Chris Cox
Saturday July 24, 2004

It was against Manly in round 20 at Suncorp Stadium last season without skipper Gorden Tallis that the Broncos began their 8-game losing streak. There was to be no repeat this year, with Brisbane running out winners 26-12 in front of a healthy Saturday night crowd of 23726.

Brisbane led 14-6 at half time before back to back tries to Michael Ryan and Darren Mapp gave them control of the game 24-6 early in the second half.

However, Manly dug deep and a try to winger Nick Bradley-Qalilawa put them back within two converted tries with 25 minutes remaining.

The match degenerated in the final 20 minutes with both sides guilty of some elementary handling errors.  An intercept to Steve Menzies, who was denied a try early in the second half, looked likely to reignite the contest with eight minutes remaining, however he lost the ball as he tried to set himself for an 80 metre dash to the line.

Darren Lockyer kicked a penalty goal soon after to kill the contest.

It was a scrappy game at best, and Brisbane's execution was very poor at times, however their defence was outstanding.  Many experts say that defence is the best indicator of a team's attitude, and Brisbane's was superb, and under pressure on several occasions throughout the contest.

Senior forwards Petero Civoniceva, Tonie Carroll and Dane Carlaw played strongly, while young guns Corey Parker, Darren Mapp, Neville Costigan and Michael Ryan contribued magnificently.  Halves Darren Lockyer and Casey McGuire created some opportunities, but their last tackle options were poor at times.  Winger Scott Minto had a strong game and earnt praise from coach Wayne Bennett after the game.

"He's a different player this year. You all saw him play last year...he had some problems but he's worked hard," Bennett said.

Both coaches were disappointed with some of the officiating.  Bennett was disappointed with the slow play the balls brought about by Manly's spoiling tactics in the tackles, while Manly coach Des Hasler was perplexed with a number of decisions, none the least that by video referee Phil Cooley to disallow Menzies a try that could have got his side back within 6 points early in the second half.

It was all the Broncos in the first 10 minutes.  From a Manly kickoff out on the full to start the game, Carl Webb barged over off a nice draw and pass from hooker Costigan.  Webb was in the action again six minutes later when he charged through the line before finding Lockyer in support to score under the posts for a 12-0 lead.

Lockyer made it 14-0 after a penalty goal 10 minutes later but the Broncos degenerated later in the half and a length of the field try to Scott Donald put the Eagles back in the game. Suddenly memories of the Broncos' loss to the Sharks several weeks earlier came flooding back.

Brisbane now travel south to take on the Sharks at Toyota Park next Saturday night, a venue the Broncos have not tasted victory at since season 2000.