Broncos end season in style as Knights limp into Finals

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Brisbane Broncos v Newcastle Knights

The Brisbane Broncos have sent club captain and legend Alex Glenn off in style, beating the Newcastle Knights 35 points to 22 at Suncorp Stadium today.

The Broncos got off to a great start, with Xavier Coates out-leaping Enari Tuala and batting the ball back to Albert Kelly, who was able to get a pass off to Kobe Hetherington to score the opening try of the game. 

Brisbane's strong attacking form continued, with Albert Kelly's decision to pass on the last proving a good one. The Broncos found an overlap and Corey Oates went over, making it 12-0 inside 16 minutes. 

The game became more of an arm wrestle over the next 15 minutes, with the Broncos turning the Knights away multiple times. Finally, they were able to crack them, with Kalyn Ponga throwing a brilliant cut-out pass to put Enari Tuala over. Clifford's kick was waved away and the score remained 12-4.

The Broncos appeared to have scored one of the tries of the year after some great work from Farnworth to make a break and then put a kick in at pace. Replays revealed Tesi Niu had knocked on over the line. 

3 minutes later, the Broncos were back in good attacking position thanks to a penalty and this time it was Niu putting in the kick. Farnworth made no mistake as he planted the ball down, making it an 18-4 scoreline at the break.

The half started terribly for the Broncos as Albert Kelly knocked on off the kickoff. The Knights looked to have taken full advantage through Tuala, but replays showed Coates had executed the trysaver to perfection. 

Things then got back to normal for Brisbane. Milford continued his strong form to put Selwyn Cobbo through a gaping hole, before backing up in support to score the try and make it a 20-point deficit. 

The Knights were the next to get on the board, with Corey Oates making an absolute mess of Crossland's grubber and Starford To'a was there to plant it down. 

The comeback didn't last long though. The Knights were able to get themselves back on the attack, but Clifford threw an intercept straight to Selwyn Cobbo, who took off 100 metres down the field to score against the run of play. 

The Knights defence appeared to be shot, with Milford making a break through a huge hole and linking up with Tesi Niu on the inside, who scored his second try double in two weeks. 

A mini comeback of sorts did appear to be on the cards for the Knights after that however, with Jack Johns and Chris Randall each crossing the stripe within 3 minutes of each other. The deficit was reduced to 12, but Milford put the result beyond doubt in the 76th minute with a field goal, his last scoring play as a Bronco. 

That's all she wrote for the Broncos in 2021, while the Knights are up against the Eels in a do or die semi next week.

Brisbane Broncos 35 - Newcastle Knights 22

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal
Crowd: 20747
Halftime Score: Brisbane Broncos 18 Newcastle Knights 4

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Anthony Milford
2 points - Tesi Niu
1 points - Herbie Farnworth

BRISBANE BRONCOS (35)
Tries: Kobe Hetherington, Herbie Farnworth, Corey Oates, Anthony Milford, Selwyn Cobbo, Tesi Niu
Field Goals: Anthony Milford (1/1)
Conversions: Herbie Farnworth (5/6)

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (22)
Tries: Enari Tuala, Starford To'a, Jack Johns, Chris Randall
Conversions: Jake Clifford (3/4)


See how it happened in our Match Centre