Broncos smash Manly to secure home final

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Brisbane Broncos v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

Brisbane have put their finals footy boots on and handed out a hiding to lowly Manly to very nearly reach fifth place on the table, however they still managed to score themselves a home final next week after a 48-16 drubbing of the Eagles.

The Broncos jumped out of the blocks right from the kick-off, when Nikorima made a break in the first set of the match. On the next play Milford grubbered into the Manly in-goal and Oates chasing through, reeled it in and planted it down for a try. Isaako failed to convert.

Six minutes later, Isaako potted a penalty goal. On the 14th minute, Nikorima drifted right after a scrum, looking for options, then got outside Thompson to slip through and score. Isaako converted and the Broncos lead 12-0 after 15 mins.

Manly struck back on the 20th minute when a tidy short crash ball by Cherry Evans to Lane, put the back rower over for a good try. Cherry Evans converted. Three minutes on and Isaako kicked another penalty goal.

At the 25 minute mark, Corey Oates produced a stunning solo play. Cherry Evans kicked across to his wing and Oates took it brilliantly despite the attention of two Manly players. Oates then ran 98 metres downfield to score untouched. Isaako converted.

With 8 minutes til the break, Cherry Evans threw a brilliant long ball to Parker, which caught the Broncos edge defence napping. Parker dived over in the corner for a good try. Cherry Evans failed to convert from tough.

The Broncos started the second half much like the first, scoring inside the first 3 minutes. Milford with a nice little grubber and Roberts was the only one alert to it. He came through, cleaned up and scored. Isaako converted.

6 minutes later and Oates scored another stunning try. Milford made a break and while looking for support, saw Oates coming up on the left with space in front of him. Milford grubbered through and the ball bounced up high. Oates made a spectacular one-handed take to regather the ball, despite defenders trying to clean it up. before running away to score under the posts. Isaako converted.

Just before the hour mark and Brisbane were in again when Nikorima put Oates over for his fourth try of the match with a narrow run tip toeing down the sideline. Isaako failed to convert from touch. This gave Brisbane a margin of 26, which was their target to get a home final next week.

In the 65th minute Manly scored a good try in the most unexpected manner. Taupau was at second receiver, close to the Broncos line and put in a grubber, which Jake Trbojevic collected and scored. Hodkinson converted from out wide.

Inside the final ten minutes, Thompson attempted to get an offload away, but it was intercepted by Fifita who then quickly dished it onto Isaako who ran half the length of the field to score under the posts. Isaako converted and the Broncos returned to the much needed lead of 26 points.

Just a few minutes later and it looked like Manly had scored, but it was called back due to obstruction.

In the 74th minute Lodge dropped an offload out the back and Ofahengaue picked it up, spun out of a feeble tackle attempt and then storms over to slam the ball down for a try. Isaako converted from almost in front.