Round 10
Brisbane Broncos 6 l. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 18

2007 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Brisbane contemplate 2007 disaster as Manly maintain lead
Tue May 22, 2007
2007 has thus far been unkind to the Brisbane Broncos, struggling between failures. They have fallen abysmally short of the normally lofty standards set by Wayne Bennett in the last nine weeks. It is therefore with little surprise, with the Origin period again ravaging their playing stocks that the Broncos once again capitulated. With a plethora of new faces, Brisbane were defeated by league leaders Manly 18-6 in an often dour contest at Brookvale Oval.

The gulf in class between the firing Sea Eagles and the woefully understrength Broncos was evident in the early stages. Keen to impress after his NSW snub, Matt Orford set up two early tries for the hosts as Nick Bradley-Qalilawa and Jason King gleefully accepted their offerings to set up a sizable early lead.

The match was a contest of contrasting mindsets. Whereas Manly were content to chance their arm in the hope of scoring more points, Brisbane displayed excellent discipline and ball control to ensure the match was always within grasp. However, this gameplan was at the expense of the willingness to attack, and scarcely threatened Manly's defensive line. With so few scoring opportunities on hand, the half-time scoreline remained 10-0 in favour of the hosts.

The Sea Eagles resumed proceedings in similar vein to the first half, with Bradley-Qalilawa sliding over for his second four-pointer, and some sensational speed and athleticism from Anthony Watmough saw him ward off several defenders in successful pursuit of the white stripe.

A combination of ordinary goalkicking and difficult attempts along with a questionable obstruction ruling in denying Travis Burns a try kept the Broncos in the game. A sensational solo run by debutant Denan Kemp through the middle raised hopes of a Broncos fightback. Yet Kemp's attacking initiative was a mindset not shared by his teammates, as the Sea Eagles were rarely threatened in securing a 12 point win.

In the lead-up to the game, two major questions hovered about the respective teams. Are Manly worthy competition leaders? Deprived of a number of representative stars themselves, the Sea Eagles displayed flashes of brilliance along with sure-headedness in securing victory. The performances of Orford, Brett Stewart and Watmough were exemplary, while Shane Neumann always appeared a threat in breaking the Broncos defence. Whilst Des Hasler has instilled an air of confidence in the club, Manly were rarely tested by the Broncos. No such luxuries will be on offer next week, as the Sea Eagles face Melbourne in what will vindicate the prospects of the club.

As for the Broncos, their performance was solid without being spectacular. Discipline must have been the keynote of Wayne Bennett's speech during the week. A few old heads mixed with the club's younger brigade held on stoutly to resist humiliation. The performances of debutants Denan Kemp and Mick Roberts were highlights, and should receive another opportunity in Round 16 against Penrith when Brisbane are again deprived of their Origin contingent. If for little else, Wayne Bennett must use this game as a means to end Shane Perry's tenure as Brisbane halfback. At best, Perry is an honest footballer capable of being a foil to Darren Lockyer. Whilst Joel Moon showed enough passing and kicking creativity to spark some attacking options, Perry was exposed for lack of imagination in general play. At the moment, Shane Perry is surviving on hopes that playing alongside the Australian captain will instigate his creative bug. After last night's effort, Brisbane may benefit from looking elsewhere if they wish for their premiership defence to be anything but an abysmal failure.

* NOTE: My humblest apologies for my factual error in my match preview. I mentioned the game was being played at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium when it was actually staged at Brookvale Oval. Many thanks to all those who pointed out my mistake.*


Roberts breaks Queensland Cup appearance record for NRL debut
Mon May 21, 2007
Source: www.qrl.com.au

Michael Roberts is set to shatter the record for the Queensland Wizard Cup's most experienced NRL debutant when he takes the field for Brisbane against the Manly Sea Eagles tonight.

Roberts, a Mackay Brothers junior, has tallied 186 games and 10 seasons in his Wizard Cup career for the Redcliffe Dolphins.

Previous to Roberts the most experienced Queensland Wizard Cup player to debut in the NRL was David Seage, who debuted for Newcastle in 2004 after playing 113 games and six seasons for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

Roberts is a three-time winner of the QANTAS (formerly Sunstate) Player of the Year; his wins in 1999, 2001 and 2006 giving him an unparalleled record in the competition.

He also secured the Courier-Mail Best and Fairest award in 1999 and was runner-up to Brandon Costin for the same accolade last year.

Adding to a remarkable 2006 season, Roberts was named Man of Match in the Wizard Cup grand final, leading his side to a 27-6 win against former Broncos feeder club Toowoomba.

The full-time schoolteacher was also the BMD Queensland Rugby League Representative Player of the Year in 2006.

Set to turn 28 next month, Roberts featured in grand finals in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2006, narrowly missing selection for the 2000 grand final due to a shoulder injury. His 67 tries is a record for Redcliffe in the Wizard Cup era.

"Hopefully Mick will play lots of NRL in years to come," Dolphins coach Anthony Griffin said yesterday.

"He's a very popular bloke at our club and he's part of the fabric, the culture. He arrived here when he was 17 and for a long time has been the heart and soul of this team.

"Everyone at the club will be glued to the telly, willing him on."

Queensland State of Origin representative Steve Bell played six seasons for the Central Capras (now Comets) and Norths Devils before debuting with the Melbourne Storm in 2001.

Former Maroon Adam Mogg also had a lengthy apprenticeship, playing 109 games for Redcliffe before being picked up by Parramatta.

News sent by: www.qrl.com.au

Mon May 21, 2007
• Preview: Soaring Eagles seek to maintain lead
  

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