Walker Hat-Trick Kills Panthers Hopes

One of the more testing danger games of the season has been successfully negotiated by the Brisbane Broncos, despite missing key forwards Gorden Tallis and Shane Webcke after being rested less than 24 hours after their Test appearance. The Broncos scored three converted tries in the space of 10 minutes to kick clear of Penrith who remained in reach of an upset victory for the first three quarters of the game.

In what was a scrappy game riddled with more than 30 handling errors, the Broncos made the most of their opportunities, running in seven tries to four. Winger Chris Walker, who decided on his future earlier in the week, scored a hat-trick, showing the improvement that comes when players have put the distractions of contract negotiations behind them.

After leading 16-4 at half time, the Broncos started the second half lethargically and Penrith capitalised almost immediately when Luke Lewis outjumped Lote Tuqiri for a try in the corner to reduce the margin to 8. Shortly after Brisbane were trapped deep in their own half on the last tackle. Seemingly destined to be tackled, Darren Lockyer clapped on the acceleration and found Casey McGuire out wide. McGuire dummied, sent Brent Tate inside and the Test debutante sprinted in field with a scintillating arc like run. Tate sent a pass over the top, which was knocked on by a Penrith player, Michael De Vere picking the ball up and outsprinting the cover to score a brilliant try and extend the lead to 12 points.

However, Penrith wouldn't go away. After maintaining the pressure on the Broncos by keeping them in their own half, former Melbourne player Paul Whatuira scored under the posts to reduce the margin to just 6 points with 25 minutes on the clock.

But as the Broncos are wont to do, they produced a burst of enthusiasm that put Penrith away once and for all. Allan Langer, a man many had written off more than two years ago when he was languishing with struggling English club, Warrington, was the man to once again inspire his team. From close range, Langer held up a pass brilliantly, Ryan Girdler storming through and leaving himself woefully out of position, Langer sending the ball to Brad Meyers who crashed over near the posts to extend the lead back to 12 points.

Chris Walker then scored his third try, taking a well timed inside pass from Lockyer and sprinting 50 metres to score in the corner. Michael De Vere's brilliant sideline conversion gave Brisbane an 18-point break and sealed the game. Lockyer then scored a bizarre try himself, amazingly regathering a grubber kick after an awful bounce for Lewis to send the lead out to 38-14.

Lewis scored his second try - and 12th in his debut season - with Girdler's sideline conversion giving Penrith some respectability but the Broncos still walked away with an 18-point win.

It could well have been more if not for a blade of painted grass. In the opening minutes, Tate made a brilliant break from a scrum, fending off Rhys Wesser and crossing in the corner for what looked a classic centre's try. However, Shayne Hayne sent the decision to the video referee who ruled Tate's left boot brushed the sideline after the fend. Although the benefit of the doubt rule may have given the Broncos a try, Graeme West decided there was enough evidence to suggest he touched the sideline, disallowing the try.

Almost immediately, Penrith's Wesser scored through some soft Brisbane defence at close range to take an early lead. It was Langer that put the Broncos back in the game when a Girdler kick ricocheted off his leg 10 metres out from his own line. Langer chased and dived on the ball, finding a flying Chris Walker in support who ran 60 metres to score in the corner and level the scores. Langer scored himself soon after, working a nice runaround with replacement lock Phil Lee to earn his side a 6-point buffer. Walker then finished off a beautiful passing movement from close range to score under the posts to give the Broncos a 16-4 lead at half time.

The match was not without controversy. Apart from Tate's touch and go decision, Langer's try came after it appeared the veteran halfback had knocked on in the lead-up. Whatuira's try that put Penrith within 6 came after Shaun Berrigan had the ball blatantly stripped by Girdler with all three on field officials missing it. Then in the dying minutes De Vere was injured after taking a dangerous grubber close to his line, former teammate Luke Priddis stealing the ball out of the stricken fullback's hands to claim a try only for video referee West to rule that De Vere was held by Tony Puletua, making it a two-man tackle.

While Walker's form was a sign of the benefits of players deciding their future, the same could not be said of Carl Webb who re-signed with the Broncos on Friday. Webb had a disaster of a game, making three elementary handling errors in his own half. However, the improved form of Brad Meyers is a huge positive for the club, with the big second rower playing a dominant hand in Tallis' absence. Dane Carlaw played strongly at lock and Corey Parker continues to rise in favour. Petero Civoniceva struggled with a knee injury, and Andrew Gee and Webb were below their best, which is an even stronger testament to Meyers' performance that the Broncos managed to win so well virtually without a front row.

The Broncos backline had one of their stronger performances and it was no surprise that Langer was at his best. The dynamic halfback set up four of Brisbane's seven tries and was solid in defence at crucial times. Casey McGuire combined well with him and Lockyer had an outstanding game despite playing 80 minutes of Test football 24 hours earlier. Tate continues to rise in stature with another five star performance while Lote Tuqiri was dangerous at times but suffering from fatigue. Michael De Vere is showing some of his best form in several seasons, despite his goalkicking still being slightly below its usual reliable best.

Penrith's performance was better than the scoreline suggested, but they appear to lack enough class in the forwards despite the claims of Luke Priddis, Martin Lang and Tony Puletua. Those three have precious little support in the pack, with Colin Ward solid without being brilliant. Girdler and Gower combined well in the halves while Luke Lewis continues to prove he is a star of the future, although he has claims to say he is a star of the present also. Wesser continued his enigmatic form, combining some dangerous contributions in attack with some utter lethargy in cleaning up kicks at fullback, a fullback's primary job.

Brisbane remain in the top three. However, with matches against the other top 6 sides over the remaining 8 rounds the Broncos are fast approaching the litmus test of their premiership aspirations.

Play of the Day

Allan Langer (Brisbane) showed that while speed is a worthy asset, nothing beats experience. Langer set up four of Brisbane's tries, including one he scored himself, but his football brain was best exhibited when he held back a pass for Brad Meyers' try to give his side some breathing space. Langer held back and held back until Ryan Girdler had run too far, Meyers reading the little master well to time his run to perfection.