Broncos defeat Raiders in Papalii’s final home game, Dolphins secure top-four spot
The Brisbane Broncos secured a 34-30 victory over the Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium, spoiling Josh Papalii’s final home game in Canberra. The result officially ended the Raiders’ hopes of making the finals. Meanwhile, the Dolphins solidified their position in the top four with a win against the Eels.
The match, dubbed ‘Papa’s House’ in honour of the retiring Raiders great, saw the Broncos come from behind. The Raiders were considered strong favourites and held a 14-point lead with 19 minutes remaining. However, the Broncos mounted a comeback, securing only their second win in their last 14 games.
Hayze Perham, filling in for Reece Walsh, was a key player for the Broncos. He scored the match-winning try, provided a try assist, and kicked five goals. Perham, a 40-game player, reportedly had his contract extended for the next season this week. His performance included a cut-out pass that led to Grant Anderson’s first-half try, demonstrating his impact beyond a temporary replacement for Walsh, whose season concluded early due to a hip-drop tackle.
This victory is significant for Michael Maguire’s Broncos, as it helps them avoid the possibility of falling from premiership winners to wooden spooners within 11 months. The teams exchanged tries early in the game. The Raiders scored a notable try involving a kick, seven passes, and nine sets of hands, culminating in Ata Mariota scoring near the posts.
Despite Pat Carrigan being in the sin bin, the Broncos responded with two tries. However, Kaeo Weekes scored his second try just before halftime, giving the Raiders an 18-16 lead at the break. The Raiders scored the first two tries of the second half before Brisbane finished strong with three consecutive tries to claim the win.
For the Raiders, Owen Pattie had a strong performance, scoring a try, setting up another with a kick, and executing a crucial 40/20. Papalii’s final home game saw 200 family and friends in attendance, including former teammates. The prop will retire as Canberra’s most-capped player after a 16-year career.
Billy Walters of the Broncos, whose season was cut short last year due to an ACL tear, opened the scoring for Brisbane and set up Ezra Mam’s second try. Walters also signed a two-year contract extension this week. Corey Horsburgh, playing for the first time since being criticised by coach Ricky Stuart, was involved in an incident with Carrigan early in the game, resulting in Carrigan being sin-binned.
Carrigan’s sin-binning in the 24th minute for a high tackle on Horsburgh marked his third sin bin of the season, matching Jack Cogger. Carrigan has faced three high tackle charges and two suspensions in the past 12 months. The Broncos’ win was achieved despite having only 46 percent possession and 10 tackles inside the opposition’s 20-metre zone, yet they outscored the Raiders six tries to five.
This was only the Broncos’ second win since Round 8 and only the fifth time this season they have scored over 30 points, compared to 10 times last year. The Raiders’ 13th loss of the season means they are officially out of the finals race. They are the third minor premiers in the NRL Era to miss the finals the following season, with Ricky Stuart coaching two of those instances (the Roosters in 2005 and 2016).
The Bulldogs are the only team from last season’s top four still in finals contention. The Broncos have now achieved consecutive wins over the Raiders, including consecutive comebacks after trailing by more than 13 points. In last season’s finals, the Raiders led 28-12 before losing 29-28 in golden point.
Zac Hosking left the field with a hamstring injury after the hour mark. Kaeo Weekes recorded the fifth double of his career, his third this season. Grant Anderson scored the sixth double of his career, his first for the Broncos, and has won all six games he has played. Ben Hunt was instrumental for the Broncos, setting up three tries, contributing to another, and kicking for almost 400 metres.
Dolphins secure top-four position
The Dolphins strengthened their hold on fourth spot with a 34-16 victory over the Eels at Suncorp Stadium. After a slow start, trailing 10-0 after 20 minutes, the Dolphins found their rhythm and scored several tries to secure their 15th win of the season in front of 24,728 fans.
Herbie Farnworth and Selwyn Cobbo combined for 39 runs, 480 run metres, and 16 tackle breaks. Jamayne Isaako added another 18 points to his season tally with two tries and five goals. The Dolphins are set to play the Roosters in Round 26 in Sydney, where a win will guarantee them a top-four finish and a double chance in their first-ever finals series.
Brian Pouniu, in only his second career game, made 148 metres from 14 runs, had six tackle breaks, and made 39 tackles. Herbie Farnworth scored an 85-metre try in the 79th minute after an Eels error, with Isaako converting to make the score 34-16. Kelma Tuilagi scored for the Eels in the 71st minute, with Mitch Moses converting.
Max Plath scored for the Dolphins in the 60th minute, converted by Isaako, extending their lead. Isaako scored his second try in the 48th minute, bringing his season total to 21 tries, following a pass from Jack Bostock. The Dolphins had 55 percent possession and completed 16 of 20 sets in the first half, while the Eels completed 14 of 17.
Isaako scored his first try in the 36th minute after Bostock provided an offload. Selwyn Cobbo scored in the 29th minute, with Isaako converting. Farnworth scored his 10th try of the season in the 25th minute, also converted by Isaako. Brian Kelly scored for the Eels in the 20th minute, but Moses missed the conversion. Ronald Volkman scored the opening try for the Eels in the 7th minute.
Will Penisini was placed on report for a high shot on Farnworth in the 12th minute. The Dolphins’ victory marks their fifth consecutive win, bringing them level with the Warriors on 36 competition points.
Source: foxsports.com.au
Charlotte Reid 