Brisbane Broncos 1992

[Big Pete]

With the season fast approaching, I thought it'd be timely to look at the Broncos first premiership winning season.

As with the 88 thread, I'm going through old David Middleton yearbooks that have long been out of print.

I hope you enjoy them and feel free to comment.

 

[Big Pete]

TOOHEY’S CHALLENGE​

​

The pre-season competition sprouted international wings in 1992 with semi-finals of the rich Tooheys Challenge played in Wellington and Auckland. The experiment in the Shaky Isles met with mixed success. In competition with the extensive World Cup cricket television coverage, and with weather conditions conspiring against organisers, the crowds were down on early predictions.

Illawarra defied expectations to claim their first major title, in their 11[SUP]th[/SUP] season in the NSWRL.

The immaculate kicking in general play of halfback John Simon, an impregnable defence and the goalkicking boots of winger Brett Dochety were the prime factors in Illawarra’s stunning win. Simon repeatedly ensured it was Brisbane who were running the ball back from their territory and not the Steelers, with a radar-accurate kicking game in warm late-afternoon conditions in Dubbo. And the swarming defence of the young and unfashionable Steelers closed down the potent like few other teams had managed.

Topping it off was the boot of Western Suburb’s cut-off Docherty, who landed the two goals that were decisive to Illawarra’s victory. There may have been no tries, but the closeness of the scores and the determination of both teams to snare their first prizemoney of $200,000 created a dramatic and captivating contest.

The Steelers thoroughly deserved their victory. They made more breaks than Brisbane and had the better of the territory for the majority of the match. The normally lethal Brisbane backline was shut down with usual catalyst Allan Langer afforded no room to move. It wasn’t until the final minutes, in a desperate push down the right-hand side, that the Broncos made their first clean-break, winger Tony Currie advancing 25 metres before he was cut down by the cover defence.

Steelers fullback David Riolo produced a mighty game, repeatedly finding space from broken play and proving safe and reliable under the high ball. Winger Docherty, a late replacement for Test winger Rod Wishart, was not only competent with the boot, but earned great credit for his relentless support and dogged defence.

Skipper Chris Walsh proved the inspiration for the Steelers. His coolness under pressure, and capacity to lead from the front, helped one of the youngest Illawarra sides in history to go the distance in the trying conditions. Names such as Girdler, Fritz, Cross, O’Meara and David Walsh, virtually unheard of in 1991, were set to become the stars of the future for the Steelers.

Illawarra 4 (Docherty 2 goals) defeated Brisbane 2 (Matterson goal)

Illawarra
David Riolo, Brett Docherty, Ryan Girdler, Paul McGregor, Alan McIndoe
Dale Fritz, John Simon
Chris Walsh, Dean Schifilliti, Steve Waddell, Craig Izzard, Les Morissey, Ian Russell.
Interchange: John Cross, Brendan O’Meara, David Walsh

Brisbane
Paul Hauff, Michael Hancock, Steve Renouf, Chris Johns, Willie Carne
Kevin Walters, Allan Langer
Glenn Lazarus, Kerrod Walters, Andrew Tessmann, Mark Hohn, Alan Cann, Terry Matterson.
Interchange: Tony Currie, Darren Plowman, Julian O’Neill, Bob Conway


Toohey’s Challenge Round 1
Brisbane 28 defeated Canberra 16 at Lang Park
Man of the Match: Trevor Gillmeister

Quarter-finals
Brisbane 14 defeated Gold Coast 10 at Eric Weissel Oval, Wagga
Man of the Match: Kerrod Walters

Semi Finals
Brisbane Broncos 16 defeated Western Suburbs Magpies 10 at Athletic Park, Wellington
Man of the Match: Kevin Walters

 

[Big Pete]

ROUND 1
BRISBANE 30; CRONULLA 2 at Lang Park

Brisbane waltzed away with the opening points of the 1992 Winfield Cup after a far more torrid and competitive match than the final scoreline indicated.

With 17 minutes to play Brisbane led just 10-2 before pressing the accelerator to score four late tries.

The opening exchanges between two formidable packs were fierce and referee Eddie Ward was forced to intervene on a number of occasions.

At halftime Brisbane led 6-0, the only try resulting from a magnificent Paul Hauff “mark” above Andrew Ettingshausen, off an Allan Langer bomb.

Both sets of forwards threw everything at each other in this period, with neither gaining any real ascedency. But handling errors committed the Sharks to a huge defensive effort, and by the second half, the sins of Brisbane’s superiority began to emerge.

The floodgates opened after an hour. Kerrod Walters scored first for 16-2 and then tries to Allan Langer and Steve Renouf (two) followed in rapid succession.

Interchange back Julian O’Neil created the best of them for Renouf when he effortlessly skirted the defence out wide and then slipped the ball onto his foot for Renouf to regather and touch down.

Brisbane 30 (Renouf 2, Hauff, Currie, Kerrod Walters, Langer tries; Matterson 3 goals) defeated Cronulla 2 (Browne goal)

Brisbane
Paul Hauff, Michael Hancock, Steve Renouf, Chris Johns, Tony Currie
Kevin Walters, Allan Langer
Glenn Lazarus, Kerrod Walters, Gavin Allen, Mark Hohn, Trevor Gillmeister, Terry Matterson.
Interchange: Alan Cann, Julian O’Neil

Cronulla
Andrew Ettingshausen, Lindsay Bowne, Charlie Saab, Mark McGaw, Glenn Coleman
Michael Speechley, Mitch Healey
Danny Lee, David Trewhella, Andrew Hick, Les Davidson, Craig Dimond, Gavin Miller
Interchange: David Boughton, Chris Quinn, Luke Massey, Robbie Kearns

 

[Big Pete]

ROUND 2
BRISBANE 24; GOLD COAST 18 at Lang Park

In Wally Lewis’ last game at Lang Park, the Gold Coast went painfully close to scoring a mighty upset over their arch-rivals Brisbane, before going under 24-18.

Lewis’ Seagulls actually led the Broncos for a 40-minute period of the match, before the irrepressible Allan Langer decided the issue with a mesmerising try seven minutes before fulltime.

After twice refusing to opt for a penalty goal which would have levelled the scores, Langer jinked through a tiny hole, stepped off his right foot and then his left before plating the ball between the posts.

While Langer was almost everyone’s choice as man of the match, Lewis was given an inglorious farewell from the arena he made his own during the 1980s.

After being knocked unconscious in a tackle shortly after halftime, Lewis did not return to the field until jus before Langer’s match-winning try.

A string of penalties and the sustained power of Brisbane’s attack told on the Seagulls, who had raced to an 18-10 lead after 53 minutes.

Gold Coast players Danny Peacock, Dale Shearer, Brent Todd, Darren Wolens and Peter Gill turned in outstanding individual performances, but none were quite as commanding as the Broncos captain.

Brisbane 24 (Carne, Kevin Walters, Lazarus, Langer tries; O’Neil 3, Matterson goals) defeated Gold Coast 18 (Shearer, Mohr, Peacock tries; Shearer 3 goals)

Brisbane
Paul Hauff, Michael Hancock, Steve Renouf, Chris Johns, Willie Carne
Kevin Walters, Allan Langer
Glenn Lazarus, Kerrod Walters, Gavin Allen, Mark Hohn, Trevor Gillmeister, Terry Matterson.
Interchange: Alan Cann, Julian O’Neil, Tony Currie

Gold Coast
Danny Peacock, Clinton Mohr, Todd Martin, Dale Shearer, Robin Thorne
Wally Lewis, Jason Twist
Brent Todd, Ray Herring, Darren Wolens, Peter Gill, Steve Jackson, Brett Horsnell
[FONT=&quot]Interchange: Michael Davis, Troy McCarthy, Mike McLean[/FONT]

 

[Big Pete]

ROUND 3
BRISBANE 24; CANBERRA 16 at Bruce Stadium

An ongoing injury crisis threw Canberra’s teamwork into disarray in their clash with heavyweights Brisbane at Bruce Stadium.

Minus internationals Gary Belcher, Gary Coyne, Laurie Daley and Ricky Stuart, the Raiders were unable to match the class of the Broncos, who won the game 24-16.

Canberra lost champion lock Bradley Clyde at halftime and were without halves Chris O’Sullivan and Phil Blake along with second-rower Steve Stone for periods of the match.

Brisbane led 12-6 at halftime and increased their advantage to 24-6 midway through the second half before Canberra scored two late tries.

Diminutive five-eighth Kevin Walters spearheaded the Broncos’ assault. He scored two tries and was involved in the third in a classy display.

His combination with halfback Allan Langer gave Brisbane a decided edge over their rivals.

Brisbane’s maligned forward pack stood up to be counted, with former Raider Glenn Lazarus leading the way, ahead of strong showings from Gavin Allen, Trevor Gillmeister, Julian O’Neil and Kerrod Walters.

Brisbane 24 (Kevin Walters 2, Langer, Johns tries; O’Neil 4 goals) defeated Canberra 16 (McDonald, Hoppe, Meninga tries; Meninga, Wood goals)

Brisbane
Paul Hauff, Tony Currie, Steve Renouf, Chris Johns, Willie Carne
Kevin Walters, Allan Langer
Glenn Lazarus, Kerrod Walters, Mark Hohn, Gavin Allen, Trevor Gillmeister, Julian O’Neil.
Interchange: Alan Cann, Willie Morganson

Canberra
Darrell McDonald, Sean Hoppe, Mal Meninga, Brett Mullins, Jason Croker
Phil Blake, Chris O’Sullivan
Paul Osborne, Steve Walters, David Woods, Brett Hetherington, Steve Stone, Bradley Clyde
[FONT=&quot]Interchange: Matthew Wood, David Boyle, Darren Fritz, Jason Death[/FONT]

 

[Big Pete]

ROUND 4
PENRITH 24; BRISBANE 10 at Lang Park

Penrith beat the Brisbane Broncos all ends up with a commanding 24-10 win.

The Panthers took two rounds of the competition to get into stride, after their history-making year In 1991, but they left no doubt with powerful wins over heavyweights Manly and Brisbane that they were on track for a repeat effort in ’92.

Penrith’s forwards completely dominated the Brisbane six, with second-rower John Cartwright and unsung heroes Barry Walker, Colin Van der Voort and Paul Clarke leading the charge.

Brisbane’s pack couldn’t break the advantage line and their all-star backline was left in the starting blocks.

Penrith led 14-10 with 10 minutes left on the clock, before Greg Alexander engineered the final two tries to produce a 24-10 score.

Alexander overshadowed Test halfback Allan Langer in a quality duel at the base of the scrum.

Panthers second-rower Mark Geyer made his long awaited comeback from suspension in this match.

Penrith 24 (B. Alexander, Colin Van der Voort, G. Alexander, Bentley tries; G. Alexander 4 goals) defeated Brisbane 10 (Johns try; Matterson 3 goals)

Brisbane
Paul Hauff, Pat Savage, Steve Renouf, Chris Johns, Willie Carne
Kevin Walters, Allan Langer
Glenn Lazarus, Kerrod Walters, Mark Hohn, Allan Cann, Trevor Gillmeister, Terry Matterson.
Interchange: Julian O’Neil

Penrith
Andrew Leeds, Graham Mackay, Col Bentley, Brad Fittler, Paul Smith
Brad Izzard, Greg Alexander
Paul Clarke, Ben Alexander, Paul Dunn, Barry Walker, John Cartwright, Colin Van der Voort
Interchange: Mark Geyer, Carl McNamara

 

[GCBRONCO]

Here are some highlights for people to watch

Round 1

Spoiler

Round 2

Spoiler

Round 3

Spoiler

Round 4

Spoiler

 

[GCBRONCO]

Always have had a soft spot for Paul Hauff, really felt for him when injuries hit him hard and he never regained the form that had him playing State of origin and Australia.

 

[1910]

ROUND 2
BRISBANE 24; GOLD COAST 18 at Lang Park

In Wally Lewis’ last game at Lang Park, the Gold Coast went painfully close to scoring a mighty upset over their arch-rivals Brisbane, before going under 24-18.

Lewis’ Seagulls actually led the Broncos for a 40-minute period of the match, before the irrepressible Allan Langer decided the issue with a mesmerising try seven minutes before fulltime.

After twice refusing to opt for a penalty goal which would have levelled the scores, Langer jinked through a tiny hole, stepped off his right foot and then his left before plating the ball between the posts.

While Langer was almost everyone’s choice as man of the match, Lewis was given an inglorious farewell from the arena he made his own during the 1980s.

After being knocked unconscious in a tackle shortly after halftime, Lewis did not return to the field until jus before Langer’s match-winning try.

A string of penalties and the sustained power of Brisbane’s attack told on the Seagulls, who had raced to an 18-10 lead after 53 minutes.

Gold Coast players Danny Pea****, Dale Shearer, Brent Todd, Darren Wolens and Peter Gill turned in outstanding individual performances, but none were quite as commanding as the Broncos captain.

Brisbane 24 (Carne, Kevin Walters, Lazarus, Langer tries; O’Neil 3, Matterson goals) defeated Gold Coast 18 (Shearer, Mohr, Pea**** tries; Shearer 3 goals)

Brisbane
Paul Hauff, Michael Han****, Steve Renouf, Chris Johns, Willie Carne
Kevin Walters, Allan Langer
Glenn Lazarus, Kerrod Walters, Gavin Allen, Mark Hohn, Trevor Gillmeister, Terry Matterson.
Interchange: Alan Cann, Julian O’Neil, Tony Currie

Gold Coast
Danny Pea****, Clinton Mohr, Todd Martin, Dale Shearer, Robin Thorne
Wally Lewis, Jason Twist
Brent Todd, Ray Herring, Darren Wolens, Peter Gill, Steve Jackson, Brett Horsnell
Interchange: Michael Davis, Troy McCarthy, Mike McLean

Wally and Kerrod had a punch up and Kevvie got involved in a bit of a slanging match.

 

[Big Pete]

ROUND 5
BRISBANE 28; MANLY 12 at Brookvale Oval

Manly turned in one of their poorest performances in coach Graham Lowe’s time with the club to capitulate 28-12 to the Broncos.

After starting promisingly, the Sea Eagles fell to pieces, handling the match to the Broncos on a platter.

A well-rehearsed move led to a try to powerful Kiwi Tony Iro in only the third minute of play, but by the time in Steve Renouf crossed for Brisbane in the 18[SUP]th[/SUP] minute, Brisabne were in control.

Hooker Kerrod Walters exposed glaring deficiencies in Manly’s marker defence and Test prop Glenn Lazarus was allowed to dominate the rucks.

Manly hit back to lead 10-6 after a Des Hasler try was converted by Matthew Ridge, but the Broncos replied with a simple try to lock Terry Matterson in the 37[SUP]th[/SUP] minute.

And when Alan Cann crossed on the stroke of halftime, the Sea Eagles were in deep trouble at 18-10 down.

Apart from an early penalty goal to Michael O’Connor, Brisbane did all the scoring in the second half. Tries to Chris Johns and Willie Carne added to the embarrassment.

The Sea Eagles’ defence was treated with contempt by the Broncos and twice Brisbane players burst through the front line from kick-offs.

Brisbane 28 (Renouf, Johns, Carne, Cann, Matterson tries; Matterson 4 goals) defeated Manly 12 (T. Iro, Hasler tries; Ridge, O’Connor goals)

Brisbane
Julian O’Neil, Pat Savage, Steve Renouf, Chris Johns, Willie Carne
Kevin Walters, Allan Langer
Glenn Lazarus, Kerrod Walters, Gavin Allen, Mark Hohn, Trevor Gillmeister, Terry Matterson.
Interchange: Alan Cann, Brett Plowman

Manly
Matthew Ridge, Darrell Williams, Kevin Iro, Michael O’Connor, Tony Iro
Cliff Lyons, Geoff Toovey
Martin Bella, Daniel O’Donnell, David Hosking, John Jones, Ian Roberts, Des Hasler
Interchange: Matt Dunford, Craig Hancock, David Liddiard, Gene Ngamu

 

[Big Pete]

ROUND 6
BRISBANE 12; NEWCASTLE 8 at Marathon Stadium

Experienced league watchers in Newcastle rated the clash between the Broncos and the Knights one of the greatest ever seen in the Coal city.

The match was destined for greatness from the opening minutes when Newcastle’s representative props Mark Sargent and Paul Harragon drove Test prop Glenn Lazarus back 10 metres in a tackle.

Newcastle missed four chances to score in the first half. It was either a forced final pass or the unbelievable scrambling defence of Brisbane fullback Julian O’Neil which denied them.

At the break it was just 2-all after rival kickers John Schuster and Terry Matterson had landed penalty goals from their only attempts.

Fortunes ebbed and flowed from one end of the field to the other until Kevin Walters swung things Brisbane’s way with a 67[SUP]th[/SUP] minute try. And when Allan Langer propped off his left foot and flashed over to score eight minutes from fulltime, Brisbane looked safe at 12-2.

But Newcastle weren’t to be denied. Lock Marc Glanville scored near the posts four minutes from fulltime, Schuster’s conversion made it 12-8 and the Knights had a chance with possession from the kick-off.

They went close to scoring in the dying minutes but both times Brisbane’s defence was equal to the task.

“We watch a lot of games in our lives,” said Brisbane coach Bennett. “But that’s got to rate in the top 10.”

Brisbane 12 (Kevin Walters, Langer tries; Matterson 2 goals) defeated Newcastle 8 (Glanville try, Schuster 2 goals)

Brisbane
Julian O’Neil, Michael Hancock, Steve Renouf, Willie Carne, Pat Savage
Kevin Walters, Allan Langer
Glenn Lazarus, Kerrod Walters, Gavin Allen, Mark Hohn, Trevor Gillmeister, Terry Matterson.
Interchange: Alan Cann, Brett Plowman

Newcastle
Brad Godden, Ashley Gordon, Jamie Ainscough, John Schuster, Adrian Brunker
Michael Hagan, Matthew Rodwell
Mark Sargent, Robbie McCormack, Paul Harragon, David Boyd, Paul Marquet, Marc Glanville
Interchange: Sam Stewart, David Mullane, Wayne Richards

 

[Big Pete]

State of Origin Game I
NSW 14; QUEENSLAND 6 at the Sydney Football Stadium

New South Wales tore a leaf from Queensland’s Origin textbook to take the opening match 14-6, building the win on courage and mateship.

The Blues withstood the loss of strike players Bradley Clyde and Laurie Daley and the absence of hooker Ben Elias, banished to the blood bin, to record a two-tries-to-one victory over a Queensland side who were also struck with their share of injuries.

The match will be remembered as one of the most brutal in Origin contests. Images of Elias, his face covered in blood, beamed into millions of holmes via television.

Queensland lock Gary Larson left the field on a stretcher, prop Steve Jackson was assisted off with severe concussion.

It was a match where football took a back seat to trench warfare. Indeed there was only a few moments of footballing brilliance to permeate the fierce forward exchanges.

Queensland winger Willie Carne made a deep incursion into NSW territory following a Blues drop-out. NSW centre Paul McGregor made two damaging runs out wide and Maroons fullback Dale Shearer executed a memorable tackle on blockbusting Blues’ winger Graham Mackay.

NSW scored first, a rehearsed move saw Bradley Clyde catch Mal Meninga flat-footed and he was able to skin the Queensland skipper to score out-wide. Rod Wishart’s conversion was a boomer.

Queensland responded with a try to Allan Langer in the 25[SUP]th[/SUP] minute. Prop Gavin Allen, one of the Maroons’ best on the night, freed an arm to slip a pass to the ever-present Langer who zipped between the posts to score.

The intensity level of the second half was no different from the first. Referee David Manson’s scant attention to the five-metre rule contributed to the slog, but as the game wore on it appeared the Blues forwards, led by Glenn Lazarus and Paul Harrogan, were gaining the edge.

Wishart lifted a penalty goal through the uprights at the 58[SUP]th[/SUP]-minute mark to give the Blues a two-pojnt lead. And soon after, some sustained pressure inside the Queensland quarter produced a try for replacement forward Craig Salvatori, only a minute after he came onto the field for 14-6 and in a match of such ardour, eight points always looked like a winning margin.

The Blues attributed their win to mateship, a quality Queensland used to devastating effect in previous series. According to second-rower John Cartwright, a couple of late-night drinking sessions while the team was in camp bonded the Blues into a committed outfit.

“It’s a tough job and you have 13 blokes out there to do it…it’s much easier when the guys that are out there with you are your mates,” he said.

Hooker Ben Elias took the match-of-the-match award after a brilliant game at dummy-half, in which he clearly overshadowed incumbent Test hooker Steve Walters.

“At halftime Phil Gould said to us that we have heard about that Queensland jumper for years, take a look at your own. It’s time to stand up for it,” Elias said.

Young halfback John Simon, acquitted himself well, with his kicking game an effective weapon. Simon’s Illawarra team-mate Paul McGregor also made an impressive debut. For Queensland, Allen, Peter Jackson and Langer stood out.

New South Wales 14 (Clyde, Salvatori tries; Wishart 3 goals) defeated Queensland 6 (Langer try; Meninga goal)

Queensland
Dale Shearer, Michael Hancock, Mal Meninga, Peter Jackson, Willie Carne
Kevin Walters, Allan Langer
Martin Bella, Steve Walters, Steve Jackson, Bob Lidner, Trevor GIllmeister, Gary Larson
Interchange: Mark Coyne, Gary Coyne, Steve Renouf, Gavin Allen

New South Wales
Andrew Ettingshausen, Graham Mackay, Brad Fittler, Paul McGregor, Rod Wishart
Laurie Daley, John Simon
Glenn Lazarus, Ben Elias, Paul Harragon, Paul Sironen, John Cartwright, Brad Clyde
Interchange: Robbie McCormack, Craig Salvatori, Brad Mackay, David Gillespie

 

[Big Pete]

ROUND 7
ILLAWARRA 10; BRISBANE 8 at Lang Park

Illawarra’s win over Brisbane signalled a milestone day in the history of the Steelers and went a long way towards silencing the doubters who had questioned the club’s ability to win away from home.

For the first time since the Broncos entered the competition in 1988, Illawarra won at Lang Park, and in doing so moved to within one point of the competition lead.

The Broncos had eight players backing up from State of Origin duties and appeared lethargic.

“It was a case of we are the Broncos and someone will do something to get us home,” said an angry Wayne Bennett. Only halfback Allan Langer played to his best, although his kicking game was well read by Illawarra’s prodigious John Simon, who cleaned up repeatedly.

Simon produces a crucial play when he tackled Brisbane lock Terry Matterson without the ball near the Illawarra line shortly before halftime.

The Steelers halfback was sin-binned for 10 minutes but he saved a try and the Broncos were unable to score while he was off the field.

The Steelers’ pack was easily outmuscled their opposition, with hooker Dean Schifilliti, prop Bill Dunn and second rower John Cross in outstanding form.

Illawarra Steelers 10 (McGregor, Cross tries; Girdler goal) defeated Brisbane Broncos 8 (Cann try; Matterson 2 goals)

Brisbane
Julian O’Neil, Michael Hancock, Steve Renouf, Willie Carne, Pat Savage
Kevin Walters, Allan Langer
Glenn Lazarus, Kerrod Walters, Gavin Allen, Mark Hohn, Trevor Gillmeister, Terry Matterson.
Interchange: Alan Cann, Brett Plowman, Paul Hauff

Illawarra
Brett Docherty, Rod Wishart, Ryan Girdler, Paul McGregor, Alan McIndoe
Dale Fritz, John Simon
Bill Dunn, Dean Schifiliti, David Walsh, John Cross, Dave Gallagher, Ian Russell
Interchange: Steve Waddell, Jonathan Britten

 

[Big Pete]

State of Origin Game II
QUEENSLAND 5; NSW 4 at Lang Park

An Allan Langer field goal 66 seconds from fulltime broke a 4-all deadlock and enabled Queensland to level the Origin series at one match apiece.

The match will go down as the lowest-scoring State of Origin match on record, but boring it was not.

Only one try was scored in wet Lang Park conditions, but the match was stacked with drama and excitement from start to finish. Queensland withstood the sin-binning of prop Martin Bella and five-eighth Peter Jackson to score one of their most famous victories.

Bella and Jackson were marched by referee Bill Harrigan for dissent within minutes of each other early in the match, leaving Queensland with 11 men.

The 11 who were left responded instantly and heroically. It was one Origin’s most inspiring moments. And it produced a resolve within the Maroons camp to win the match that NSW could not match.

“It was early enough in the match for us to be full of hype and the guys were great the way they hung in there,” said Meninga after the match. “I reckon the commitment we showed in those 10 minutes won us the match.”

On the other side of the coin, NSW failed to take advantage of their undermanned opposition by refusing to throw the ball wide. Siginificantly, just one minute after Queensland were restored to 13 men, the NSW defence cracked, and debutant Billy Moore scored in the corner for the Maroons.

At halftime it was 4-all and the defences of both sides stood rock solid through a gruelling second half in which any mistake could have changed the course of the series.

No break came as the match entered its final few minutes. NSW halfback Ricky Stuart had missed with two attempts at field goal and the match looked headed inevitably towards the first drawn match in Origin history.

Enter Langer, the new hero of the Lang Park terraces, who attempted a field goal with 66 seconds left on the clock. He had never kicked a field goal before in his life but this one sailed true for 5-4 and a vital Queensland victory.

“It was my first one ever,” said Langer. “The ball came sweetly off my boot, but normally I muck them up. I reckon the last time I landed a dropped goal was when I was a kid in my backyard.”

Langer may have been the hero, but it was second-rower Bob Lidner who took away man-of-the-match honours. Lidner’s bullocking burts defied NSW’s attempts to pin Queensland in their own territory.

Apart from Lidner, Meninga, Gary Larson and Allan Langer were key men on what was another classic Origin encounter.

Props Paul Harrogan and Glenn Lazarus were again outstanding for NSW and took another step closer to Test berths against Great Britain. Stuart kicked superbly at halfback and captain Laurie Daley did some brilliant work at five-eighth.

Queensland 5 (Moore try; Langer field goal) defeated New South Wales 4 (Wishart 2 goals)

Queensland
Dale Shearer, Michael Hancock, Mal Meninga, Mark Coyne, Adrian Brunker
Peter Jackson, Allan Langer
Martin Bella, Steve Walters, Gavin Allen, Bob Lidner, Gary Larson, Billy Moore
Interchange: Kevin Walters, Trevor Gillmeister, Darren Smith, Mike McLean

New South Wales
Andrew Ettingshausen, Graham Mackay, Brad Fittler, Paul McGregor, Rod Wishart
Laurie Daley, Ricky Stuart
Glenn Lazarus, Ben Elias, Paul Harragon, Paul Sironen, John Cartwright, Brad Clyde
[FONT=&quot]Interchange: Craig Salvatori, Brad Mackay, David Gillespie, Steve Carter[/FONT]

 

[Big Pete]

Despite transcribing it not that long ago, I had completely forgotten about that win to Manly. Those are the type of games I like to revisit, games that fall below the radar since it usually gives you a good depiction of what the team was like at that time without the bells and whistles that usually define the memorable games.

If the guys are over at Beyond Entertainment do another Broncos compilation, I hope they include the Round 6 92 clash. I've read so many good things about that match that I'd love to get to watch it someday. Some of these Bennett quotes crack me up - normally a catch would be quick to rate it as one of the best they've seen - Bennett ranking it in the Top 10 is very calculated and tempered.

One of the biggest surprises with the write up was seeing Origin pop up as early as it did. Right in the middle of Round 7 (which was a split-round) a good three or so weeks earlier than it is these days. We've entered the Gus Gould era and as attention-seeking as Gus could be, he got Origin and played his part in the spectacle. Not much between either side, NSW had two of the best big men up-front and that's where the gap was created. You rarely hear anything about the great NSW Origin victories - it's a shame because it sounds like a great effort here.

Illawarra were usually a thorn in the Broncos side for whatever reason. Probably because they saved their best for that clash and treated every clash like it was a final. A disappointing result to cap off what would have been a difficult week for most Brisbane supporters.

Going back to what I said about NSW, the only thing I hear in regards to the 92 series is the field goal kick to Alfie Langer. The first one of his professional career, right in a clutch moment. Just typical Alf really - whenever the game was there for the taking, you'd invariably read it was Alf who initiated or scored the crucial try. Despite being one of the worst periods for Queensland, I really enjoy those early 90s Origins. They were always close, played in really good spirit and really captured the dynamic between the two teams well.

 

[1910]

I pulled a random '92 game out and came away with v Wests away.

 

[Big Pete]

Round 8
BRISBANE 20; ST GEORGE 18 at Adelaide Oval

The second Winfield Cup match in Adelaide produced a highly exciting duel between Brisbane and St George, which finished the Broncos’ way 20-18.

Brisbane had forged to a 20-4 lead soon after halftime, but with a handful of players backing up after the second State of Origin match, it was inevitable that they would tire as the match wore on.

Saints, wearing distinctive protective lycra shorts for the first time, stormed back into the match with three second half tries.

When winger Rex Terp crossed for his second try three minutes from fulltime, 18-year-old Andrew Walker had a relatively simple conversion attempt which would have levelled the scores.

But he failed, and the goalkicking problem which had plagued the club had struck again.

With their Origin men fatigued, the Broncos called upon their less experienced players for a big effort and they responded.

Prop Shaun Keating, five-eighth Julian O’Neil, and wingers Pat Savage and Brett Plowman played a leading role in the victory.

Brisbane Broncos 20 (Savage 2, Plowman, Renouf tries; Matterson 2 goals) defeated St George Illawarra Dragons 18 (Terp 2, Wade, Smith tries; Walker goal)

Brisbane
Paul Hauff, Michael Hancock, Steve Renouf, Julian O’Neil, Brett Plowman
Kevin Walters, Allan Langer
Glenn Lazarus, Kerrod Walters, Shaun Keating, Mark Hohn, Trevor Gillmeister, Terry Matterson.
Interchange: Darren Plowman, Chris Johns, Pat Savage, Peter Ryan

St George
Michael Potter, Rex Terp, Mark Coyne, Michael Beattie, Cameron Wade
Peter Coyne, Noel Goldthorpe
Tony Priddle, Wayne Collins, Guy Picken, David Barnhill, Scott Gourley, Brad Mackay
Interchange: Andrew Walker, Matthew Elliott, Neil Tienery, Tony Smith

 

[Big Pete]

Round 9
BRISBANE 26; SOUTHS 18 at Lang Park

Brisbane were forced to come from behind to thwart a spirited challenge from Souths in the wind and rain at Lang Park.

Without six Origin players and three other injured internationals, Brisbane scored one of their best against-the-odds wins.

The Rabbitohs were poised for a stunning upset victory when they led the Broncos 14-6 just before halftime but their won lack of discipline almost certainly cost them the match.

Winger Darren Scott, five eighth Darrell Trindall and skipper Craig Coleman were all sin-binned at various stages of the second half.

“We find it hard to win with 13 players, let alone with 12 for 50 of the 80 minutes,” said coach Frank Curry.

Running into the wind of the second half, Brisbane quickly made up the leeway. They equalised in the 46[SUP]th[/SUP] minute with a Brett Plowman try, and took the lead for the first time soon after when five-eighth Julian O’Neil scored, only for Souths to reply with a try to Eion Crossan.

The turning point came with Coleman’s sin-binning nine minutes from fulltime. O’Neil capitilised on Souths’ defensive shortfall to score his second try and give the Broncos victory. O’Neil and Kerrod Walters were the Broncos best.

Brisbane Broncos 26 (O’Neil 2, Renouf, Plowman tries; Matterson 5 goals) defeated South Sydney Rabbitohs 18 (Mellor, Carroll, Crossan tries; Crossan 3 goals)

Brisbane
Scott Blacker, Brett Plowman, Steve Renouf, Will Morganson, Pat Savage
Julian O’Neil, John Plath
Andrew Tessmann, Kerrod Walters, Shaun Keating, Trevor Gillmeister, Mark Hohn, Terry Matterson
Interchange: Peter Ryan, Tony Currie

Souths
Rod Maybon, Eion Crossan, Manoa Thompson, Paul Mellor, Darren Schott
Darrell Trindall, Craig Coleman
Peter Johnston, Sean Garlick, Mark Carroll, Darren Maroon, Arthur Pappas, Darren Brown
Interchange: Blake Butcher, Brett Patterson, Daniel Coote