Hail our Smithy
by Chris Cox
Saturday June 19, 2004

When Darren Smith ended his Broncos career with the last try in the 38-12 Grand Final win over Canterbury in 1998, his 23rd for the year, he equalled Steve Renouf's tryscoring record in a season for the club. Tonight he returned to the Broncos to answer a SOS call from coach Wayne Bennett, scored two tries, and inspired Brisbane to a 34-24 win.

The Broncos showed plenty of character to overcome chronic exhaustion for their six Origin players to twice repel the Eels who levelled the scores.  None was more heroic than captain and five-eighth, Darren Lockyer. 

Lockyer played the same roles for the full 80 minutes on Wednesday night, and did it again 72 hours later and he proved the difference between the two sides.

Both sides suffered an horrendous injury toll in the first half, with the Broncos losing Casey McGuire for the game, while the Eels lost Lee Hopkins and Adam Dykes. Brisbane's Tonie Carroll was also battling a shoulder problem.

Brisbane led 18-12 at the break and went further in front when Smith scored his first try. Lockyer ran to the line on the last tackle, grubbering ahead for Michael De Vere to pick up, Smith ever present in defence to score.

Smith was ruled the villain in a disallowed try soon after, video referee Steve Clark ruling the 35-year-old veteran had knocked on before De Vere grounded a missed grubber.

Clark was in the action again soon after, ruling a try to Ashley Graham despite the Eels flyer seemingly brushing the touchline, the corner post and losing control of the ball. That decision inspired the Eels, with interchange tyro Dean Widders crossing to level the scores with 15 minutes left.

The Broncos were out on their feet and needed something special. Enter D. Lockyer.  The five-eighth put up a towering bomb, swirling high in the air. Fullback Wade McKinnon and centre Luke Burt collided, the ball came free and Smith was jogging on the spot to score his second. De Vere converted for a 30-24 lead.

Lockyer's attempted field goal went wide, and then Parramatta winger Brett Anderson was bundled into touch just a metre short of scoring the potential equaliser with six minutes on the clock.  Brisbane got out of danger and then fullback Karmichael Hunt drew in the Eels' right side defence, sending winger Craig Frawley over for the match winner with three minutes on the clock.

It was a show of courage from both sides, but particularly the Broncos and their Origin forwards.  Shane Webcke, Petero Civoniceva, Tonie Carroll and Dane Carlaw were inspirational, while Corey Parker, who only played 18 minutes on Wednesday, was dynamic in the back row. Hunt and Frawley continue to form a magical combination at the back, while Smith, Brad Meyers, Darren Mapp and Tom Learoyd provided great support. De Vere battled well in the centres despite copping a knock to the mouth early in the match.

The Eels lifted very well given the loss of Hopkins and Dykes, and twice fought back to level the scores through sheer guts and enthusiasm. Origin star Nathan Hindmarsh was devastating running wide, as was Widders. Centre Junior Langi and interchange forward Justin Tsoulos caused plenty of problems for the Broncos.

Earlier, Brisbane jumped to a 12-0 lead after tries to Casey McGuire and Hunt.  McGuire sent Smith through a gap on half way with De Vere and Frawley in support before McGuire took the last pass to score.

Lockyer then ran the ball on the last tackle and flicked a pass to Hunt who sidestepped McKinnon beautifully to put his side a dozen clear.

The Eels hit back when McKinnon supported a Langi inside ball to run 50 metres and score, before Luke Burt finished off some strange last tackle play 10 minutes later.

Brisbane were denied a try to Scott Minto soon after, Tom Learoyd ruled to have impeded Daniel Wagon's chances of making a tackle on Hunt, but they weren't to be denied again when Lockyer sent De Vere over with a pinpoint cut out pass.

The performance of young referee Jason Robinson and particularly veteran video referee Steve Clark will come under intense scrutiny in the coming days, with the Broncos clearly unhappy with some of the decisions.

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