A committed Warriors outfit have outmuscled a disorganised Broncos side 24-12 at Suncorp Stadium in front of just under 25000 fans.

The Warriors led 10-4 at half time, with honours largely shared before extending their lead to 16-4 midway through the second half thanks to a try to Jerome Ropati and a third penalty goal to halfback Stacey Jones, despite fullback Brent Webb being in the sin bin.

Brisbane went on a mini revival in the next 10 minutes, starting with a very popular try to Brad Thorn, in just his second game back from the dark side. On the last tackle, play looked certain to break down before Karmichael Hunt noticed space on the left. A neat overhead pass to Darren Lockyer put the skipper into space, streaking through the defence up the middle of the ruck before finding Thorn in support to score beside the posts.

The Brisbane Broncos led from start to finish in a pulsating Queensland derby at Suncorp Stadium, prevailing 29-16 over a gallant but error ridden North Queensland Cowboys. In front of a big crowd of 43438, Brisbane jumped to a 12-0 lead early in the game courtesy of an intercept try to Corey Parker and a beautiful grubber kick from Brett Seymour presenting Shaun Berrigan with a gift try.

The Cowboys hit back when Matt Bowen supported a nice Paul Bowman break but the Broncos went further in front when Darren Lockyer supported a bust from Tonie Carroll. Lockyer handled twice in the movement, firstly sending a ball out to Brent Tate who flicked the ball inside to Carroll.

Carroll sprinted through the gap and passed inside to Lockyer who juggled, regathered and scored behind the posts.

The Brisbane Broncos have named their team for their round 1 clash with the North Queensland Cowboys. The team includes teenage sensation Leon Bott, who is still studying year twelve at the Gap State High School, and the return of Justin Hodges and Brad Thorn. The side is extremely strong all over, with Wayne Bennett having the luxury of having Brad Thorn a dual international and Australian League representative Dane Carlaw on the bench at his disposal.

The team is a mix of speed (Bott), skill (Lockyer), and muscle (Webcke). Two back-up players have been named on the bench, Neville Costigan and Sammy Thaiday are obviously preparing with the squad just in case Dane Carlaw's sholder doesn't pass a fitness test over the weekend. The Cowboys have also named a strong lineup including former Bronco Carl Webb, ensuring a spectacular game on Sunday.

There's little doubt the fans will dub him "Clint", but Greg Eastwood would simply be happy to be recognised after an eyecatching top grade debut in the Broncos' 26-20 trial victory over Canberra at Clive Berghofer Stadium in Toowoomba.

Eastwood, who was originally named on the bench for Toowoomba, played the final 20 minutes and scored with just his first touch of the football, supporting down the right wing to score untouched to take his side to a 20-14 lead.

Canberra hit back through Clinton Schifcofske, who levelled the scores with a try of his own before Eastwood had the fans on their feet with a 75th minute effort that could only be described as incredible.

Brad Thorn will make his first appearance in Broncos colours since the 2000 Grand Final when he takes the field for the trial clash with Canberra at Toowoomba this Saturday. Thorn, who spent four seasons with the Canterbury Crusaders in the Super 12 rugby union competition, has recovered from a hamstring strain suffered three weeks ago.

He will be joined by skipper Darren Lockyer and veterans Shane Webcke and Tonie Carroll in a vastly more experienced side to the one that was defeated 24-10 by Melbourne at Carrara last weekend.

The Brisbane Broncos have started season 2005 in less than impressive fashion, losing 24-10 to a strong Melbournes Storm outfit at Gold Coast Stadium, but it was the utter disaster of Justin Hodges' return to the club that started his career that has fans concerned about their side's prospects for the season.

Hodges, shifted to fullback to allow Karmichael Hunt to fill in at five-eighth, where he is expected to deputise for skipper Darren Lockyer at Origin time, revived memories of the second State of Origin match in 2002 when he fumbled a kick in goal to gift Storm winger Steven Turner with a try in the first half.

Hodges continued to play lethargically at the back and left many of the 16000 fans at the stadium questioning coach Wayne Bennett's wisdom in bringing the Cairns product back into the fold.

DUAL international Brad Thorn has had a major setback in his return to rugby league and will now not be playing in Saturday's trial match in Bundaberg..

The imposing back-rower was desperate to get some football under his belt before the NRL kicks off for the Broncos against the Cowboys on March 13, but will not play a trial game for the club after straining his right hamstring at training last Friday.

Thorn has not played a game of rugby league since the 2000 NRL grand final, and the Broncos were so keen for him to get some game time he had been named in the composite side to play a South Sydney Premier League line-up at Bundaberg Brothers on Saturday night (February 12).

Huddersfield new boy Michael De Vere is relishing the chance to impress in
Super League X (Ten).

The Australian arrived - with his wife and two young daughters - at his new
home on New Year's Day and, although he will miss that start of the season
through injury, he's raring to go for his new employers.

De Vere is one of a trio of new faces at the Galpharm Stadium, alongside
ex-Canberra hooker Brad Drew and Chris Thorman (back after a season with
Parramatta).

The signings by the Yorkshire club show a clear indication of their intent
to finish in the top six next term after only narrowly missing out on the
play-offs in 2004.

However, the former Brisbane Bronco - who has signed a two-year deal with
the Giants - is not expecting an easy ride in his new surroundings.

The Broncos will help trial the NRLs innovative 'referee interchange system' in the round five Telstra Cup premiership match against Parramatta at Suncorp Stadium on April 10.

The NRL yesterday announced the matches in which it will conduct the trial of the referee interchange system over the first five weeks of the premiership, with the Broncos-Eels clash the final hit-out for the 2005 experiment. The trial will be monitored and evaluated on a weekly basis before any decision is taken about the longer term future of the concept.

At each of the five matches the referees’ coach on the day will decide when, or even if, the main referee should be given a ‘break’ during the respective matches.

Shane Webcke will miss the upcoming clash between the USA Tomohawks and Australia after he produced a heroic performance in Sunday's Tri-Nations grand final.

The powerhouse prop's troublesome right knee flared up before the match against the Lions, but he took the field after completing a fitness test just minutes before kick-off.

Team doctors have said Webcke will most likely need a minor operation on his knee upon his return from the tour, and although the injury is routine, he won't be risked for the historic game in Philadelphia.