NYC Finals Week 1

[Big Pete]

Broncos off to a nervous start, two very cheap mistakes.

 

[Big Pete]

Now Tigers score.

Hoeter claims a bomb in the corner, jumping up above Opacic.

 

[Big Pete]

Tigers score again.

Rowe collects his 25th of the season on the back of good lead up work from Hoeter and Mulcahy

 

[Charmamba]

Last count showed 18 missed tackles after just 20minutes..... Terrible.

 

[Big Pete]

Paia'Aua's kicking game sucks.

In fact he's having a shocker in general.

Nikorima turns it over once again, silly pass to Jordan Drew which ended in a mistake.

 

[Big Pete]

Brooks scores.

Brisbane had just gotten themselves back in the contest until Drew forced a pass which ended up going forward.

 

[Big Pete]

16-0 Tigers

As the scoreline suggests, it's been all Wests in this one. They have dominated all facts of the game and if it wasn't for some desperate efforts in defence this would be a real massacre.

Ajuma Adams has been my pick for the Broncos. Laying on some good hits and making some good runs through the middle.

I like what I've seen from our bench too. They changed the game when they came on.

Plenty of stars in this Tigers line up too.

 

[Big Pete]

Winger Tom Opacic scores in the 44th minute off a Paia'Aua cut out pass. Was a great effort to finish as he had to flick his feet in the air before he was dragged into touch.

Broncos opened with their best set of the game and then scored on the back of a knock on and a penalty.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Soape Palau scores in the 60th minute for the Broncos and its converted to make it 16-10.

 

[Big Pete]

Broncos went down in a heartbreaker.

Tale of two halves

Brisbane looked completely out of their depth in the first half. The Tigers outmuscled them through the middle and the game opened up for their playmakers who earned the Tigers plenty of field territory. By the 40th minute, the Tigers had 65% of possession and lead 16-0. Honestly, the score wasn't a true reflection of the game - the Tigers should have lead by a lot more but the Broncos were able to scramble well and Wests blew some opportunities.

Then Brisbane came out to play in the second half. The forwards muscled up and won the ruck battle and as possession swung, so did the scoreline. At 16-10, it appeared the Broncos would run over the top of Wests but Rowe was able to go 80m to score against the run of play. It looked curtains, but Brisbane weren't through and scored two well constructed tries to send the game to golden point.

Then in controversial circumstances, the Tigers were able to over-turn two penalties which would have been in goalkicking range. Both calls were legitimate but definitely played into the drama of the match. Then, at the start of the second phase of golden point, five eigth Matt Mulcahy sent Funaki on a 50m trek to the try line to keep their hopes alive for 2013.

Stand outs for me include...

Paul Byrnes - Had a nervous start but warmed up as he got into the game. Played a huge role in our late comeback, but was unable to rush over and cover the golden point try. Looked absolutely out on his feet.

Francis Molo - Was like a wrecking ball with the footy and really gave the Tigers a headache in the middle.

Jayden Berrell - Was one of our better players in the opening exchanges and really came into his own later in the game around the tired marker defence.

Ajuma Adams - My man of the match for the Broncos. Hit hard, was constantly a handful for the defence and was the most consistent of the afternoon.

 

[Dexter]

Broncos went down in a heartbreaker.


Paul Byrnes - Had a nervous start but warmed up as he got into the game. Played a huge role in our late comeback, but was unable to rush over and cover the golden point try. Looked absolutely out on his feet.

Thought you were a little kind there BP, the kid wanted nothing to do with making that tackle, he didn't even try to get in position.

Also I thought the first penalty should have stood, tackle effected Bronco trying to play the ball and the tigers player had a hand on his arm, I didn't think there was enough proof to overturn the on field ref.

Apart from that we had more than enough chances to have a go at the field goal both in normal time and extra time, they just had no idea really how to go about it. Panic passing and forcing the extra pass when in prime position. It was a shame really because they showed a lot of courage to fight back and give themselves a chance especially after the lucky try from the Tigers with 10 to go.

I thought Drew deserved a mention as well BTW

 

[Big Pete]

Tigers benefitted from the system. The footage proved it wasn't a strip which was the call and as a result got away with it on a technicality - I thought it was dodgy and there looked to be a head high in the lead up.

Drew was pretty solid. Couple of strong carries, good hits and I liked how he was looking to get involved later in the game. Has a bit of Tate about him.

 

[Dexter]

Has there been one dodgy call benefit a non Sydney side this weekend when playing a Sydney side.