The Broncos’ decision to rest the majority of their marquee men may have cost them the minor premiership courtesy of a 32-22 loss to Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium.
Each side had 11 regular starters sitting on the sidelines for Thursday night’s clash. A Brisbane win would have garnered them their first minor premiership since 2000. The Panthers can now secure top spot by beating North Queensland at home on Saturday night.
After taking a 22-20 lead after Storm winger Reimis Smith was sin-binned in the 58th minute, the Broncos were unable to further capitalise.
Shortly after Smith’s return to the field, he crossed to retake the lead against a tiring Brisbane defence.
Melbourne livewire Sualauvi Fa’alogo had a debut to remember, crossing for a brilliant double – including a contender for try of the year and then what proved to be the contest’s decisive try with seven minutes remaining.
Coming off the bench deep into the first half, Fa’alogo broke through in the middle of the field and linked up with returning fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen superbly. The result was a thrilling try.
Brisbane players celebaret Tom Flegler’s try against Melbourne.Credit: Getty
The effort gave the Storm their first lead of the game after Brisbane scored the first two tries of the night through captain Tom Flegler and winger Jordan Pereira.
It followed a double to Grant Anderson, which included a long-distance intercept try to shut down a three-on-two overlap.
Sailor’s signal
Tristan Sailor sent a signal to Broncos coach Kevin Walters that he warrants greater opportunities in the NRL, turning in a strong attacking performance.
As his famous father, club legend Wendell, sat and cheered in the stands, the younger Sailor thrilled the home fans.
The 25-year-old, stepping in to fill the void left by superstar fullback Reece Walsh, finished with two try assists, three line-break assists, a line break, two forced dropouts, eight tackles busts and 180 running metres.
Papenhuyzen peaking
Playing just his second game since being sidelined for more than a year with through injury, Papenhuyzen announced he was finding form at the perfect time.
In his first start since his return, the dynamic fullback got through the entire 80 minutes and was in sensational touch – finishing with a try, a try assists, four goals, six tackle busts and 135 running metres.
Melbourne have managed to secure a top-four spot largely without his services, and now that he has plenty of running in him, he looms as one of the finals’ biggest threats once Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Jahrome Hughes and the like return.
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