Broncos Dig Deep And Find A Whole Lot Of Courage

If the Brisbane Broncos manage to go on and achieve their sixth premiership this year they will look back to this round 4 clash against the Sharks as the defining moment in this team's formation. A week earlier the Broncos overpowered a Sydney Roosters side that was decimated before and during the match by injury. A week later the Broncos went through a similar crisis.

In the modern game the most important factor going towards a team's success is the overall performance of the 17 players, with the contribution of the four bench players arguably as important as the starters. However, the Broncos found themselves with barely 13 fit players with 20 minutes remaining up against a Sharks side salivating at the prospect of finishing off yet another home defeat for the Broncos.

In the opening minutes, lock Ashley Harrison was felled in a high tackle by Sharks' second rower Karl Lovell who was placed on report but not penalised. While Harrison was concussed, the most concern was over a leg injury he picked up as the defenders fell on him. Harrison was taken to hospital for X-rays.

The Broncos recovered from that cruel blow with Darren Lockyer finishing off a brilliant try in the 12th minute. After a powerful hit up by Dane Carlaw, the Broncos spread the ball wide, Lockyer sprinting into the clear and outpacing the cover defence of David Peachey and Preston Campbell to score. Soon after Petero Civoniceva crashed over to give the Broncos a 12-point lead.

But then tragedy struck the Broncos once more. Lockyer, again supporting a half break by five-eighth Shaun Berrigan, juggled the ball and before getting control of it Sharks centre Chris McKenna hit him heavily from behind. Lockyer damaged rib cartilage in the incident but battled on gamely, but three tackles later was helped off the field. A similar injury kept Lockyer out for three weeks early last season, and has plagued Roosters and former Test captain, Brad Fittler, throughout his career.

With the loss of Harrison and Lockyer, the Broncos began to fall into error. A series of mistakes in their own half gave the Sharks numerous opportunities. However, the Broncos' gritty defence held on. But that defence tired out a line up already reduced to 15 men. Right on half time, Sharks halfback Brett Kimmorley missed a penalty attempt from directly in front, a miss that would prove ultimately costly.

Shortly after half time, Civoniceva suffered a knee injury taking a typically vigourous hit up and limped off the field, seemingly not to return. And then hooker, Shane Walker, was helped off with a dislocated shoulder. The Broncos were in tatters.

Matthew Johns began the Sharks fightback, darting through a lazy tackle from skipper Gorden Tallis to score near the posts. Kimmorley converted to reduce the deficit to 6 points. Some frantic ball movement and an inability of an exhausted Broncos line up to prevent offloads saw Luke MacDougall, younger brother of Newcastle Test winger Adam, score in his NRL debut in the corner. At 12-10, it seemed only a matter of time until the Broncos cracked and the Sharks would run away with victory.

But the Broncos haven't built a winning culture on giving up when the chips were down. Civoniceva bravely returned to the field, but his side was barely hanging on. Numerous time the Sharks made inroads, only for a loose pass, bad option or desperate defence spoil the attack. The Broncos were tiring, the injection of relatively fresh second rower, Dane Carlaw, only providing temporary relief as coach Wayne Bennett rotated Carlaw, Shane Webcke and Civoniceva.

With just under 15 minutes left, rookie Broncos winger Brent Tate made the crucial play that his side so desperately needed. Peachey ran the ball from a kick return, giving it to MacDougall who was hit hard in a tackle by Tate. The tackle unseated the ball and the Broncos had their first attacking opportunity of the half. They needed no second invitation. Allan Langer sent Andrew Gee over on the last tackle of the set, and De Vere's conversion gave the Broncos a vital 8-point buffer.

It didn't last long. Despite surprising breaks by Civoniceva and Langer, the Sharks were still dominating. Peachey strode through, and then Phil Bailey did likewise. Tate killed a certain tryscoring movement only to concede a penalty. Kimmorley took the tap, Johns fumbled a pass, Kimmorley shovelled it out wider and eventually winger Colin Best crossed. Referee Bill Harrigan, who initially considered pulling back the Johns error as a knock on, passed the decision to the video referee. Eddie Ward watched Johns' play closely, and the decision could have easily gone either way, however the benefit of the doubt went to the attacking side and the try was awarded. Kimmorley converted from near the sideline to put the Sharks back within two points with just under 5 minutes remaining.

The Broncos hung on for dear life. A kick by Langer to find touch went too long and out on the full giving the Sharks another chance. They were denied. Then deep on the attack a forward pass from Preston Campbell was fumbled by Bailey, the ball going dead and giving the Broncos a much needed 20 metre restart. On the final tackle, De Vere kicked directly into touch, giving the Sharks one or two plays inside the Broncos half. Some frenetic play saw the Broncos come up with an intercept, Civoniceva galloping down field, either not hearing or ignoring Harrigan's call of a knock on. Time evaporated and the game was over, the Broncos victorious in the most trying of circumstances.

Rugby League has always been about toughness and commitment, and trying your heart out against all odds. The Broncos epitomised that working class spirit in this match. While they are regarded more for their flamboyance and across the board power, they proved that when everything goes against them they can still dig deep and find that extra level to win, for themselves, their teammates, their coach and their fans. The crowd of 22000, a good achievement considering the defending champion Brisbane Lions had their first home game of the season across town, got every cent of their ticket price back with an absolutely gripping contest between two sides that will once again be there at the business end of the season.

However, the Broncos' immediate future will be in doubt with the losses of Harrison, Lockyer, Walker and likely Civoniceva for some period of time. Worse still, Tallis, Carl Webb and Phil Lee also looked to be carrying injuries towards the end of the contest. The only saving grace for the Broncos is that they come up against strugglers Canberra and Penrith in the following two weeks before meeting red-hot defending champions Newcastle. Harrison's leg injury is of grave concern, with a broken leg or ankle likely to rule him out for much of the season. The young lock forward has been one fo the Broncos' best so far in season 2002 and his work rate will be sorely missed. Lockyer's value is obvious and even a short absence will put further pressure on Langer and Shaun Berrigan. Shane Walker's loss, although disappointing, can be well covered with the brilliant Mick Ryan itching to have an opportunity in the top grade. Civoniceva's courage will be greatly missed, the big prop having twice played half a match with a broken arm, and the injury suffered on this occasion would have kept most players out of the remainder of the match.

Despite the injuries, Civoniceva stood tall and once again was the Broncos' best. He was closely followed by Webcke who had his strongest performance of the season so far. Langer again was strong in attack and defence, almost singlehandedly nullifying the impact of quality Sharks lock, Nick Graham. Berrigan had another strong game, while Webb, Gee, Lee, Carlaw and Tallis battled on courageously despite being well and truly exhausted. It was a brave team effort, one that builds character and resilience that will only enhance their undoubted class.

The Sharks will be bitterly disappointed that they did not get the two points, but they were beaten by a more committed and desperate outfit. The Broncos had not won at the ground since they beat the Cowboys last May and that desperation was the ultimate difference. Johns and Kimmorley failed to take full advantage of the tiring Broncos pack and Campbell once again had a directionless impact. It's a tragic situation for one of the game's true excitement machines that he is so poorly utilised by Sharks coach Chris Anderson in favour of the relatively overrated Kimmorley, who has struggled for form since leaving Melbourne two seasons ago.

The Sharks' forwards held their own against a more fancied opposition, and with the Broncos' injury concerns got on top. Danny Nutley and Jason Stevens were solid in the front row, while second rowers Bailey and Lovell were fantastic once again. Andrew Pierce, Paul Gallen, Dean Bosnich and Dean Treister also made valuable contributions off the bench. However, Treister lost the Oscar to Kimmorley for the Russell Crowe Award for acting. Kimmorley getting a penalty on half time after a 9.95 dive, and Treister rolling around in agony after a "high shot", only to jump to his feet and play on after Harrigan didn't buy his act. Crowe won't be losing any sleep over losing his tag as Australasia's hottest talent.

The Broncos and their fans will be waiting with baited breath over the next 48 hours to hear the final ramifications of today's slugfest. While the four serious injuries are unlikely to be available next week, an early return for at least two of them will be vital.

Play of the Day

Andrew Gee might have scored the match winning try, but Brent Tate (Broncos) can quietly mark it down as his own. The rookie winger crunched fellow winger Luke MacDougall with a bone jarring tackle with 12 minutes to go, forcing the debutant to lose the ball. Gee scored five tackles later.