LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The Brisbane Broncos faced the Melbourne Storm with high hopes after a significant victory over the Rabbitohs, aiming for a Top 4 finish and a strong premiership challenge. However, their journey ended with three key players suffering hamstring injuries and a slew of unanswered questions.
Despite the impressive offensive play orchestrated by Grant, the Broncos' defense managed to handle the onslaught. However, in the 14th minute, Payne Haas seized a loose ball deep in his own territory, embarking on a remarkable run and offloading to Gehamat Shibasaki. He was tackled, but the play continued with Reece Walsh, who was ultimately penalized for a forward pass to Selwyn Cobbo.
Grant's exemplary performance took a turn when he unintentionally assisted Brisbane by committing a penalty that allowed them to score their first two points of the night.
The Broncos' attack seemed slightly off rhythm, evidenced by Walsh's invalid forward pass. Additionally, during a hopeful offensive play, Ezra Mam attempted to lob a pass to his winger, only for Xavier Coates to intercept and launch a 90-meter dash downfield, though Cobbo managed to force him out of bounds while grounding the ball.
The severity of the situation escalated when both Adam Reynolds and Mam suffered game-ending hamstring injuries. Mam limped after tripping early in the run, while Reynolds experienced a more severe tear, akin to a 'sniper shot,' completely hindering his sprint.
With two star halves sidelined, the importance of the two competition points quickly faded as focus shifted to the players' well-being. Billy Walters stepped in at hooker, Ben Hunt moved to halfback, and Kotoni Staggs filled the five-eighth position.
In the midst of this chaos, Grant Anderson soared above the Broncos' defense to catch a high kick. Following this, Wishart capitalized on the disarray, breaking through tackles to score the opening try. Meanwhile, Cobbo lay on the field, grasping at his ankle, compounding an already disastrous night, although he managed to continue playing.