Don't Panic

"It was just a trial game," is the line that will be spun from Red Hill this week, but that will not diminish the bitter taste in the mouths of some of the Broncos' players after their 66-18 embarassment at the hands of the Bulldogs in Toowoomba. While only 8 of the 20 players the Broncos used are certain of first grade game time in 2002, and two of those sat out the second half, the Bulldogs fielded their entire first grade squad with some extras split into two squads of 15.

The match was highly anticipated and a good crowd of almost 7000, which is Athletic Oval's capacity these days, was on hand to watch the clash. A heavy shower that lasted for over an hour wasn't enough to dampen the spirits of the fans, of which a large contingent were Bulldogs supporters. The Broncos suffered something of a bad omen before kick off with their affiliate, Toowoomba Clydesdales, being soundly beaten by Burleigh Bears 34-14.

Brisbane didn't seem to suffer any after effects from it. After leaving the Bulldogs waiting in the wet for 5 minutes, they finally emerged to a thunderous reception from the parochial Toowoomba crowd. It took just two minutes for the Broncos to get on the board, with winger David Seage fumbling but grounding a cross field kick from five-eighth Elia Tuqiri, cousin of star winger Lote Tuqiri. Steve Irwin missed the conversion, but soon after the Broncos crowd was on their feet when Gorden Tallis, in his comeback from a serious neck injury, stampeded through three defenders from 10 metres out before popping a miracle ball to young utility, Tony Duggan, who dived over under the posts for a 10-0 lead.

But that was the end of the Broncos' joy. Back-to-back penalties from Mark Oaten put the Bulldogs deep on the attack, and the Broncos opened up out wide with Nigel Vagana going over easily to score the opening try. Hazem El Masri converted to get his side within 4 points. A 40-20 from the last play after the kick off allowed the Bulldogs to hit the front when injury-ravaged Travis Norton plunged over under the posts for a 12-10 lead. That began a rout, with Luke Patten capitalising on some strong forward work to score under the posts to lead 18-10 at the drinks break.

It went from bad to worse for the Broncos soon after, with Norton diving over from dummyhalf and then Vagana running the length of the field after picking up an intercept pass from Allan Langer, playing his first match in Broncos colours since April 1999. Down 30-10 at half time, any hopes the Broncos had of scoring a confidence building win were lost. Tallis and Langer were rested for the remainder of the match, while Phil Lee made his long awaited return from knee surgery.

Unfortunately for him the Bulldogs just kept on coming. Toowoomba boy and Bulldogs jersey flegg player Jonathan Thurston made a triumphant return to his home town, grounding a fumbled grubber on the Broncos tryline to extend the lead to 34-10. He then converted, much to the delight of his friends in the ES "Nigger" Brown Stand. Their delight turned to delirium moments later, when Thurston backed up some outstanding play close to the line to score his second. Incredibly he made it a hat trick shortly after when Darrell Trindall regathered a beautiful chip kick with Thurston in support to score. Then it was four tries in just 15 minutes when he backed up another thrilling interchange of passing close to the line. When El Masri converted Corey Hughes' try, the Bulldogs had scored 60 unanswered points to lead 60-10.

Shortly after the Broncos earned something to cheer about, with young replacement back Josh McCartney scorching across field from 20 metres out, beating Bulldogs fullback Todd Polglase to score. Irwin failed to convert. Trindall then picked up the second intercept of the night, sprinting 70 metres and outsprinting the cover to score his try and a 66-14 lead. Stuart Kelly scored after the final siren, Irwin declining the conversion, the final score 66-18.

To say it was embarassing for the Broncos is an understatement, but it must be remembered that this was merely a trial game, and Wayne Bennett will have learnt a lot about his stocks below the top 25 players. Of the established stars, Langer looked sharp in the opening 20 minutes, but the tide of the game turned against him and he struggled from then on behind a defeated forward pack. Tallis was powerful in the opening 20 minutes also, but struggled for fitness as expected. Shane Webcke tried to the death, playing the full 80 minutes, but even his stellar performance could not compete against his fresher rivals. Phil Lee was one shining light, playing superbly during the second half and inspiring Brisbane's rare attacking forays. Lote Tuqiri played a different role, more as a rover. He spent most of the night defending close to or just outside the ruck and sweeping. Elia Tuqiri, who played five-eighth, defended on the wing. Brad Meyers looked very ordinary, continuing on from his poor club form at the end of 2001. Stu Kelly again looked good in attack, but not coincidentally almost all the Bulldogs' attacking forays came down his wing.

Of the youngsters, Steve Irwin can hold his head up high, having a solid game at the back in trying conditions, and making one brilliant trysaver on Gavin Lester. Tony Duggan continues to impress with his speed from dummyhalf, Craig Frawley had a strong match after being sidelined for two years with injury, and Elia Tuqiri showed glimpses of his promise. However, the remainder were remarkably uninspiring, albeit up against very well drilled and hardened opponents for the most part. Several looked to be playing out of their league.

The Bulldogs had a host of outstanding performers, which bodes well for a good start to the premiership. Braith Anasta and Brent Sherwin formed a brilliant first half halves combination, while Travis Norton led an inspired forward pack, with Jamie Feeny, Paul Rauhihi and Nathan Sologinkin proving too much for their opposition. Hazem El Masri and Nigel Vagana left off from last year with their brilliant tryscoring, but once more Brett Howland was disappointing. In the second half, Darrell Trindall was at his scheming best and looks a yard faster on his 2001 performances. Ben Harris and Gavin Lester were good out wide, but Gavin Lester gained little involvement from the match. Shane Marteene was carried off in the opening minutes of the second half with a knee or ankle injury.

The forwards ran rampant against an exhausted opposition without answers, captain Steve Price thrilling his home town with a brilliant display, earning a 10 minute spell at the end. Darren Smith, Glen Hughes, Steve Reardon and Corey Hughes also performed strongly. Willie Mason made quite a big impact from the bench as well.

The Broncos will do best to use the match as a learning experience, and particularly learn from their defensive frailties. The Bulldogs cut them to shreds just wide of the ruck, which eventually led to them doing the same up the middle as every one of the Broncos' players became exhausted from an unbelievable amount of defence.

Tomorrow night's clash with Redcliffe will tell more about the Broncos' standing at this stage, with more of the established stars taking part, particularly in the backline. The big test will be to see how they go in next week's Country Carnival trial against Wests Tigers. The Broncos will field what is likely to resemble their first round team against the Tigers.0

Play of the Day

Darrell Trindall (Bulldogs) set up Jonathan Thurston's third try with a sensational chip and chase from 30 metres out. Trindall regathered and passed in the one movement, Thurston diving over for a brilliant try.