Scrappy
Broncos defeat disappointing Souths

Round 5:

Brisbane Broncos 30 v South Sydney Rabbitohs 12 at Suncorp Stadium.
Referee: Gavin Badger


Match Summary:
The Brisbane Broncos have cruised to a 30-12 victory against a disappointing South Sydney Rabbitohs side at Suncorp Stadium. The Broncos were not at their best at any point of the game but still managed to be too good for the South Sydney side who simply turned over too much ball.

The first half started well for the Broncos with Tame Tupou scoring outside after a nice kick from Broncos fullback Karmichael Hunt. Everything seemed to be going the Broncos way with another try soon after to captain Darren Lockyer under the post after some nice work from rookie winger Darious Boyd. Not everything went well for the Broncos though with new recruit Michael Ennis suffering crucial ligament damage to his leg which will see the goal kicking hooker out for the 2006 NRL season. The tide started to turn midway through the first half though when Rabbitohs centre Paul Mellor created a superb solo try running 65m of a sloppy pass from the Broncos to make the score line less then a converted try.

The Broncos started the second half on fire with Karmichael Hunt and Darren Lockyer heavily involved. They then orchestrated a try for rookie winger Darious Boyd for the score line to be pushed out to 18-6. The Rabbitohs continued to gift the Broncos with penalties and errors and the Broncos punished them for it with Justin Hodges continuing his great form to score the next try for the home team. Broncos still had more points in them however with Tame Tupou grabbing a second which saw the score line blow out to 30-6. The Broncos continued to dominate possession and the Bunnies eventually had no hope in reducing the deficit. Nathan Merritt continued his great run of scoring the last try in games this season with him supporting a break from David Fa?alogo but it made no different to the end result with the Broncos making their record 3-2 in 2006.

Scorers:
Brisbane Broncos: 30
Tries: Justin Hodges, Darren Lockyer, Tame Tupou(2), Darius Boyd
Goals: Corey Parker 5/7

South Sydney Rabbitohs: 12
Tries: Paul Mellor, Nathan Merritt
Goals: Nathan Merritt 2/2

By the clock:

Welcome to Brisbane for the clash between the Brisbane Broncos and the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Both clubs are looking for a win after both suffering disappointing losses last week against the Dragons and the Sharks respectively.

Sam Thaiday comes into the Broncos team for Brad Thorn, while the Bunnies are as per program but they are now using their 4th different halfback so far this year.

Kick off is approaching.

0 min: The Broncos get us underway here at Suncorp Stadium!

4 min: NEWS Sloppy start from the Broncos which eventually leads to a 5th tackle hand over to the Rabbitohs. The Bunnies are now in a good attacking position.

7 min: VIDEO REF - The Video Referee has been called in to see if Shaun Berrigan has got his first try in his last 12 games for the Broncos. The replays tell us that Shaun Berrigan has lost the ball. No try is the call and the Rabbitohs will get a feed 10m from their own line.

9 min: NEWS Shane Walker has hit Michael Ennis high and the Broncos recieve a penalty.
Ennis however is being carried off the field with a leg injury.

10 min: ATTEMPTED PENALTY GOAL Brisbane Broncos
Brett Seymour takes over the goal kicking with Ennis off the field and misses a penalty goal attempt.
0 all.

13 min: TRY Brisbane Broncos
A perfect grubber kick from Karmichael Hunt sees big Tame Tupou score outwide.
Brett Seymour hooks the conversion to the left of the uprights.
Broncos 4-0

14 min: NEWS News from downstairs is that Michael Ennis may have some Crucial Ligament damage to his leg. News doesn't look good for Michael Ennis.

16 min: TRY Brisbane Broncos
Ben Rogers throws a miss-directed pass to Darious Boyd, who then breaks through the Rabbitohs line and links up the captain Darren Lockyer for him to score under the post.
Corey Parker takes over the goal kicking and slots his first one over from right in front.
Broncos 10-0

18 min: NEWS Broncos recieve a cheap penalty and are on the attack yet again. They are hungry for the points and the Bunnies are struggling to hold them out.

20 min: TRY South Sydney Rabbitohs
A sloppy pass from the Broncos is picked up from Paul Mellor who shows some great pace to run 65m and score a desperately needed try for the Bunnies.
Nathan Merritt converts from right in front.
Broncos 10-6

24 min: NEWS Rabbitohs receive a penalty on the last tackle. The momentum is starting to swing here in Brisbane.

25 min: NO TRY - John Sutton takes the ball to the line before gifting a short ball to Adam McDougall which was ruled forward by the near side touch judge.

26 min: NEWS Michael Ennis season looks to have ended with confirmation of Crucial Ligament damage.

34 min: PENALTY GOAL Brisbane Broncos
Broncos recieve a penalty for McDougall stripping the ball out of the hands of Hannett. Corey Parker lines up the penalty goal and strikes it well.
Broncos 12-6

39 min: NEWS Souths get a repeat set of 6 tackles in the Broncos 20m zone. Rabbitohs looking very dangerous with the ball.

HALFTIME: Brisbane Broncos 12 South Sydney Rabbitohs 6

Second half is underway here at Suncorp Stadium!

46 min: ATTEMPTED PENALTY GOAL Brisbane Broncos
Nathan Merritt is called offside and the Broncos elect to go for the two points. Corey Parker misses the conversion but the Broncos will get the ball back.
Broncos 12-6

48 min: TRY Brisbane Broncos
Karmichael Hunt and Darren Lockyer getting more involved and the attack looks more crisp now. Karmichael Hunt makes a half break and links up with the rookie winger Darious Boyd for him to score.
Corey Parker adds the extras.
Broncos 18-6

54 min: NEWS Broncos on the attack yet again after the Bunnies make another mistake in their half. They now recieve a penalty right in front.

54 min: PENALTY GOAL Brisbane Broncos
Corey Parker from right in front has no trouble with conversion. The Broncos now have a comfortable lead.
Broncos 20-6

58 min: TRY Brisbane Broncos
Hodges continues his great form in the new season with some great footwork and strength for him to score the fourth try for the Broncos.
Parker hooks the conversion to the left.
Broncos 24-6

62 min: VIDEO REF - A possible Corey Parker try. No try is the call and there will be a 20m restart to the Bunnies.

69 min: TRY Brisbane Broncos
A repeat set to the Broncos sees quick hands shown for Tame Tuopu to score his second try of the night. Flood gates beggining to open here at Suncorp Stadium
Corey Parker slots a great kick from the sideline.
Broncos 30-6

76 min: NEWS Errors galore at the back end of the game. Neither coach will be jumping with joy over their teams performance tonight.

80 min: TRY South Sydney Rabbitohs
Nathan Merritt continues his great run of scoring tries in the 80th minute with another one here tonight at Suncorp Stadium.
He converts his own try.
Broncos 30-12

FULLTIME: - Brisbane Broncos 30 South Sydney Rabbitohs 12

A scrappy win from the Broncos here tonight at Suncorp Stadium. They still haven?t shown us what they are capable of but I?m sure that Wayne Bennett will be happy to get the 2 points. Solid performances from Karmichael Hunt, Justin Hodges, Tame Tupou and Sam Thaiday saw the Broncos run away with the game for the final score line showing 30-12.
The Bunnies were very disappointing with them conceding a high penalty count and making too many errors for them to be competitive in the contest.

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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Karmichael Hunt (Broncos)
2 - Justin Hodges (Broncos)
1 - Tame Tupou (Broncos)
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