Just when it appeared the Broncos were starting to wane and the Sharks were coming to get them, these four senior players came to the game in a big way to steady the ship and steer their younger teammates towards victory.
Sam Thaiday came up with a huge run at a vital time in the second half. With his team struggling for yardage and deep in their own territory, Thaiday recognised the need for something special. He raced from the left side of the field to the right and demanded the ball. He charged at the Cronulla forward pack with venom, elbows and knees pumping, a get-out-of-my-way look in his eyes. He bent the opposition backwards with a powerful surge and earned his team a penalty when the Sharks players couldn't clear the ruck area.
It gave his team the oxygen they needed. It was an act of selflessness and inspiration. The actions of an Origin player who cared enough for his team and the result to make things happen.
Thaiday's forward partner, Kiwi international Adam Blair, responded in kind. He, too, charged onto the ball, attacking the defenders and dishing out punishment with his ball running. These two forwards made a real statement with their physical efforts.
The contribution of back-rower Matt Gillett was priceless. In attack and defence Gillett continually threw himself at his opponents, imposing his will on the contest. What a great player he has become.
So, too, did fullback Darius Boyd. In his first match as Broncos captain, I thought he played a real skipper's knock. We saw his special skills and finesse as he produced a couple of great Broncos tries with beautiful quick-hands passes to his wingers, Jordan Kahu and Corey Oates. These moments of brilliance are not uncommon for this talented fullback playmaker.
But more than these flashes of genius and individual talent, it was Boyd's courage and determination in fielding difficult kicks close to his own try line and pushing through the pain and restriction of a serious hip injury to stay out there on the field that I believe most contributed to his team's success.
Boyd took the knocks and never flinched. He threw himself in the path of heavy collisions on several occasions. He made sure he was never thrown back into his in-goal area by the advancing Cronulla defenders. He came up with the right play, the tough play, at the right time, every time.
It's only round one of the premiership and all teams will improve as the season continues. The Broncos were far from perfect in many aspects of their game, even though they were able to win this hard-fought affair.
The one thing that will please their old coach, Wayne Bennett, is the way they won. They won because their senior players came to the contest in the toughest possible manner when it was most needed.
That's the value of great senior players. Broncos fans should feel proud of these lads and the way they presented themselves for this battle on Thursday night. It's a great sign for the season ahead to know their experienced players are so committed to the challenges ahead.
Good stuff.
