SQUADS: Betfred Super League - 2024 Round 8
9 hours ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
An outstanding performance from skipper Darren Lockyer has guided Brisbane to a come-from-behind 26-20 win over Canberra in their second pre-season trial clash at Toowoomba's Clive Berghofer.
Lockyer was a his sublime best in a commanding display in the second stanza, scoring one try and playing a hand in another three as the Broncos overran the Raiders in an entertaining fixture for the 10 000-strong crowd.
Also good for the Broncos was Test centre Brent Tate and backrowers David Stagg and Tonie Carroll, whilst speedy rookie Leon Bott impressed in patches before having to leave the field with a corked calf. In more good news for coach Wayne Bennett towering forward Brad Thorn came through the match unscathed
The visitors started strongly, with former Redcliffe star Adam Mogg dashing over out wide after some brilliant backline passing from Matthew Elliott?s men.
In his return to rugby league in Australia, former Test utility Jason Smith was next to score for Canberra, pouncing on an error by Justin Hodges near the goal posts to open up a 10-0 advantage.
The Raiders were on the board after less than three minutes when centre Adam Mogg crossed out wide after some enterprising ball movement on the inside.
After missing an earlier opportunity, Bott crossed for a four-pointer in the dying stages of the opening quarter. But the Raiders responded with a try of their own just before half-time to former Bronco Kris Kahler to take a 10-point advantage into the main break.
From their, however, Lockyer to control steering his side around the park in a very encouraging display just two weeks out from the season opener against North Queensland at Suncorp Stadium.
Short passes from the Australian skipper sent Carroll and Stagg over for tries in an action-packed 10 minutes following half-time. With several scuffles and even more penalties, the big crowd was getting plenty of entertainment and when young winger Greg Eastwood dived over in the corner after another bust by Lockyer the noise was deafening.
Fill-in Raiders captain Clinton Schifcofske kept the contest well an truly alive with an excellent individual effort early in the final period, before Lockyer sealed the win with a try of his own.
BRISBANE 26 (Leon Bott, David Stagg, Tonie Carroll, Greg Eastwood, Darren Lockyer tries; Lockyer 3 goals) def CANBERRA 20 (Adam Mogg, Jason Smith, Kris Kahler, Clinton Schifcofske tries; Schifcofske 2 goals).