‘It’s non-existent. One of them will have to go’
After showing signs of improvement against Manly last week, Brisbane again lapsed into their negative post-lockdown ways in a heavy defeat to the Newcastle Knights.
The Broncos were ineffective in attack and were forced to get through a power of defensive work, which eventually took its toll.
Here are the player ratings.
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1 Jamayne Isaako - 5
Played rugby as a junior and it showed when he cost the Broncos a try with an illegal play before being sin binned shortly after. Got through a mountain of work but his impact is non-existent.
2 Corey Oates - 5
Denied his first try of the season by The Bunker after Isaako got involved. Racked up 111m but that was about it.
3 Herbie Farnworth - 5
A handy player to have at the club but doesn't do anything particularly well and seems to be just filling a jersey.
4 Darius Boyd - 5
Made 22 tackles and seems to be trying hard but doesn't offer much at centre and looks like he is just playing out his days. Made a couple of errors.
5 Xavier Coates - 7
His 95m intercept try saved the Broncos from being held to zero and finished the game with 191m. A rare shining light for Brisbane in past fortnight.
6 Anthony Milford - 3
Has surely run out of chances. His forwards aren't laying much of a platform but Milford has looked disinterested. Made one run in the first half and finished with four runs for 9m. Andrew Johns says it's time to drop him.
7 Brodie Croft - 4
Trying harder than Milford but their combination is non-existent and Croft is making too many poor plays. If Milford isn't dropped then Croft is in line to be replaced by Tom Dearden.
8 Matt Lodge - 5
Looks completely off the pace after returning from a knee injury. The game appears to be too fast for the big prop and he needs to find a way to compete. Toiled hard defensively with 31 tackles to make up for poor attacking return (10 runs for 66m).
18 Issac Luke - 5
Decent Broncos debut for the New Zealand legend. Punched out nearly 50 minutes starting but he isn't going to solve Brisbane's woes.
10 Payne Haas - 7
Made 49 tackles which is cruelling his usual incredible attacking output. Only managed 83m with the ball which is a concerning trend for the Broncos.
11 Alex Glenn - 5
The captain didn't have the impact he would have been hoping for in his return from injury. Made 32 tackles in a decent defensive dig.
12 Tevita Pangai - 7
Tried to spark the Broncos with some big hits and powerful runs. Was a bit rusty following his long suspension but at least he attempted to do something.
13 Pat Carrigan - 3
Ran for 89m and made 35 tackles but his late shot on Mitchell Pearce was disgusting and he should be suspended. Disappointing play from a future captain.
9 Cory Paix - 5
Spent the first 48 minutes of the match on the bench waiting to replace Luke. Better suited to coming off the pine rather than starting.
15 Ben Te'o - 4
Had more impact in his second game for the club with five runs but he isn't going to set the world on fire at 33.
16 Joe Ofahengaue - 4
Has played State of Origin but is little more than a run of the mill bench prop at the moment. Broncos might be better off looking to the future.
17 Tom Flegler - 5
Was tremendous in the opening rounds of the season but is now coming off the bench with little impact. Made 24 tackles at least.
Originally published as 'It's non-existent. One of them will have to go'
