Round 3
Brisbane Broncos 36 d. North Queensland Cowboys 2

2008 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Broncos embarrass woeful Cowboys
Fri March 28, 2008
A club record crowd for Suncorp Stadium of 50,612 turned up tonight and were put on a treat by the Broncos minus Darren Lockyer and Karmichael Hunt as they emerged 36-2 victors over the Cowboys.

The performance of North Queensland can be best summed up as embarrassing, purile and in line with their efforts in the previous two rounds. Captain Johnathan Thurston again failed to inspire his side and his antics when the chips were down was one not to be expected of a team leader and a player in his position.

In the weeks leading up the season the Cowboys sacked Graham Murray as coach, but kept him on for this season. The move either way looking at it has been a disaster where they should have either washed their hands immediately or not make any decision until the end of April or early May, which is when a decision is best made.

Brisbane scored six tries and only conceded an early penalty goal as they produced another complete performance to continue their outstanding start to the season whereas the Cowboys slip into last position with their 3rd heavy defeat of the season with all three of their losses occuring in Queensland.

The Broncos three tries in the first half came in the final eight minutes to Ben Hannant (32nd), PJ Marsh (35th) and Darius Boyd (39th) to lead 18-2 at the break with Peter Wallace converting two tries and landing a penalty goal in the 18th minute. Brisbane came up trumps targeting Thurston in defence and reaped the benefits.

Not much changed in the second half as Brisbane continued on with their dominance and added a further three tries through Reece Robinson (47th), Steve Michaels (67th) and Michael Ennis (69th) with Ennis converting all three tries.

Betting on the match closed during the afternoon as rumours came through that Lockyer would miss the clash after confirmation that Hunt was also to be missing. It was later confirmed that Lockyer pulled out with knee soreness, but the punters who originally backed the Broncos didn't have to worry and in hindsight the bookmakers would have been wise to have foolish bets made on the Cowboys when they aren't playing and putting in together as a team.

North Queensland played like a frustrated and disjointed unit with Thurston losing his cool on many occasions with the dropped ball and elementry mistakes made by the Cowboys.

The knives are already out for Murray who has no future in Townsville beyond this season with calls for Assistant Coach Ian Millward to be installed as the Coach with immediate effect. Millward is favourite to get the Cowboys position for the 2009 season after electing not to go for Wayne Bennett as was their original plan.

What happens to the Cowboys from here? Click Here For Your Say

Meanwhile, the Baby Broncos looked impressive with a 32-10 victory over the Cowboys in Toyota Cup action. After a fairly even first half, the Broncos NYC team turned up the heat in the second scoring four tries to the Cowboys one.

TELSTRA PREMIERSHIP (NRL)
BRISBANE BRONCOS 36
Tries: Darius Boyd, Ben Hannant, PJ Marsh, Steve Michaels, Reece Robinson, Michael Ennis
Goals: Peter Wallace 3/4, Michael Ennis 3/3
NORTH QUEELSLAND COWBOYS 2
Goals: Johnathan Thurston 1/2
Drop Goals: Jarrod Mullen

TOYOTA CUP (NYC)
BRISBANE BRONCOS 32
Tries: Jharal Yow Yeh 2, Josh Hoffman, Alex Glenn, Michael Spence, Tom Butterfield
Goals: Ben Hunt 4 goals
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS 10
Tries: Brandon Boor, Ray Thompson
Goals: Stephen Beaumont

Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Crowd: 50,612 (Record for Club Game)


Hunt out of Queensland derby
Fri March 28, 2008
Source: www.broncos.com.au

WOW Brisbane Broncos fullback Karmichael Hunt is out of tonight's blockbuster against the North Queensland Cowboys.

Hunt suffered a deep bruise to the quad muscle in the first half of the match against the Roosters last week, and it has not repaired well enough to allow him to run out at Suncorp Stadium.

His replacement brings about a shift in the backline, with winger Darius Boyd slotting to fullback.

Boyd's housemate Denan Kemp will start on the wing.

There are still over 4000 tickets left for tonight's match, with the Broncos strongly advising patrons pre-purchase their seat through Ticketek before they get to the ground.

The main game will kick off at 7.30pm, with the Toyota Cup under-20s match between the young Broncos and Cowboys to start at 5.50pm.

Gates open at 5.15pm.

News sent by: www.broncos.com.au

Thu March 27, 2008
• Broncos urge patrons to hit Suncorp Stadium early
  
Tue March 25, 2008
• Broncos teams for Round 3
  

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