16 unanswered points enough to overcome Sharks
by Chris Cox
Sunday April 24, 2005

There's an old saying about beating the Sharks in the park in the dark.  It's not easy. And it wasn't tonight, but the Brisbane Broncos showed tremendous guts, courage and patience to overcome Cronulla 16-12 at Toyota Park.

The Sharks bolted to a 12-0 lead after just 20 minutes, but the Broncos fought back to level early in the second half.  When big Brad Thorn crashed over with 15 minutes to go the Broncos had hit the front for the first time.

However, Sam Thaiday and Brent Tate suffered what looked serious shoulder injuries within a short period of time, and that left the Broncos defending their lead with just two players on the bench for the final 10 minutes.

In a match where handling was considered optional, the Sharks simply couldn't control enough ball to crack the gritty Broncos in the final 10 minutes, constantly turning the ball over early.  In the end Brisbane held firm to secure their third straight win and join the Sharks, Raiders, Sea Eagles and Cowboys on 10 points.

Although the quality of execution was lower than coach Wayne Bennett would have wanted, he would be full of praise for many of his side's heroes. The performance of warhorses Shane Webcke, Brad Thorn and 36-year-old Darren Smith, on loan from Easts Tigers in the Queensland Cup, lay the platform.  Corey Parker, Darren Mapp and David Stagg ensured the engine room was never short of power. Hooker Barry Berrigan also made some brilliant incisions from dummyhalf.

The players out wide struggled to get involved with so many errors in the middle third of the field, however Shaun Berrigan was dangerous whenever he touched the ball and Scott Minto made valuable metres out of his own territory.  Fullback Justin Hodges was also outstanding on his return from injury at fullback in place of the injured Karmichael Hunt.

The Sharks were outstanding early but really lost their heads in the last 60 minutes. Danny Nutley and Jason Stevens were tireless up front, while Brett Kimmorley showed glimpses of his best football.  Adam Dykes was subdued, while David Peachey and Nigel Vagana were dangerous out wide.

Cronulla started the game in hot form, constantly attacking the Broncos line and points came early when Peachey fended past Lockyer and found David Simmons in support to score in the corner. Winger Luke Covell converted from the sideline for a 6-0 lead.

Seven minutes later Kimmorley finished off a sensational try which went through more than a dozen sets of hands and went from centre field to the left wing and back again before the Test halfback stepped past Webcke and Smith to score under the posts.

The turning point came moments later when Nigel Vagana got over the line only to be held up in a desperate tackle by David Stagg.  Had Vagana scored, the Sharks could have led 18-0 and the game would have been almost beyond reach.

It took the Broncos more than 30 minutes to get on the scoreboard when Lockyer and Shaun Berrigan worked their trademark second man play down the left for Berrigan to score in the corner. Lockyer's conversion from out wide kept the Broncos within a converted try at half time.

Controversy after the break when the Broncos were trapped inside their own 20 on the last tackle. In frustration Lockyer knocked the ball away and was penalised. Covell's attempted penalty hit the posts and the Broncos scrambled to regain possession.

Lockyer put Smith over for a try soon after, juggling a poor pass from dummyhalf before holding up the pass nicely for Smith to score.  Lockyer converted again from out wide to level the scores.

Lockyer sliced through again moments later and found Tate in support who went within a metre of scoring before losing the ball.  Referee Paul Simpkins amazingly penalised the Sharks for flopping on Tate well after losing the ball, but Lockyer's penalty attempt went well wide.