Round 7
Broncos 30 d. Panthers 6

2006 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Broncos move into 3rd position
Tue April 25, 2006
Brisbane's performance in the opening round against North Queensland made it hard to believe they would now be in 3rd position after seven rounds following a convincing 30-6 victory against Penrith in front of 25,123 fans at Suncorp Stadium.

The Broncos have bounced back in true fashion after a disappointing start to the season with the blooding of youngsters Tame Tupou, Darius Boyd, Ben Hannant, Sam Thaiday and Greg Eastwood that has been the important ingredient to breath fire into an aging side.

Shaun Berrigan broke his tryscoring drought when he scored the opening try in the 4th minute with Corey Parker adding the extras for an early 6-0 lead.

Tupou scored the first of two tries in the 12th minute for the Broncos to lead 10-0. Parker was unable to convert but added a penalty goal in the 18th minute as Brisbane led 12-0, which was the score until halftime.

Brisbane defended great in the first half to keep Penrith scoreless and went on with the job in the second half with Tupou scoring his second try six minutes after the break to push the Broncos 18-0 clear following Parker's conversion.

Out of form Broncos captain Darren Lockyer showed glimpes of a return to some better form against the Panthers and was rewarded with a great try in the 62nd minute to seal the match for Brisbane. Lockyer was not long after rewarded with an early mark from coach Wayne Bennett for a job well done. Lockyer with his performance all but sealed an Australian jumper, which is likely to be at five-eighth. Lockyer in his better days was the 3rd best post-war fullback Australia has produced after Immortals Clive Churchill and Graeme Langlands and ahead of Les Johns to round off the top four with Ken Thornett, Graham Eadie, Garry Jack, Gary Belcher and Anthony Minichiello fighting it out for the 5th position. However, his performances as five-eighth have been inconsistent since moving there in 2004 whereas at fullback he was spectacularly consistent each and every week.

Frank Pritchard got Penrith on the board with a 71st minute try and Preston Campbell converted as the Broncos led 24-6.

Petero Civoniceva scored a late and much deserved try as the Broncos ran out 30-6 victors with Justin Hodges converting the final try.

Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett singled out Tupou and said he's now on the verge of New Zealand Test selection. Bennett said, "Again, I was very pleased with Tame. He did not think he was great today, but I certainly did. Based on his form over the past few weeks, I believe he would handle it at Test level."

Captain Lockyer said, "Defensively we have been great the past few weeks, but our attack still needs improvement. Our attack was good in patches today but we can do much better."

Penrith enjoyed a great start to the season on the road but successive hammerings to Melbourne and Brisbane have put their season into doubt. The good news for the Panthers is that they'll return home this Friday night when they take on Cronulla at a revamped Penrith Stadium, which is now known as Credit Union Australia Stadium Penrith.....

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