Broncos blitz Knights to set up derby preliminary final
Joel Gould |
Defending NRLW premiers Brisbane have flexed their muscles to destroy Newcastle in a 40-16 win that leads to a mouth-watering preliminary final with Gold Coast.
The Broncos led 34-0 at halftime in a powerhouse opening at Langlands Park.
Fierce rivals the Titans await next Sunday in Robina, the same side that beat the Broncos 28-20 a month ago when coach Scott Prince gave his players a halftime spray.
Since that blast, in what was their third loss on the trot, the Broncos have won four games in a row.
There were some concerns for the Broncos, including a right ankle injury to tackling machine Bree Spreadborough who limped off in the first half.
Lock Lillian Yarrow was also put on report for a lifting tackle.
It took the Knights until the 16th minute to complete a set of six as they were blown off the park by a rampant Broncos outfit that made the most of 11 complete sets to start the match.
Broncos trio Tamika Upton, Jesse Southwell and Romy Teitzel tormented their former club in masterclass displays.
Upton, who was given an early mark 20 minutes from the end, probed and dazzled from fullback. Southwell was the chief puppeteer at No.7 with a pinpoint kicking game and Teitzel was an absolute weapon in the right edge second-row spot.
Teitzel’s second try came after Southwell danced her way through, Upton supported and laid it on a platter for her runaway back-rower.
The Broncos had a dream start with a try after just 56 seconds brought about by perfect execution in all aspects of play.
Knights fullback Lucy Spain dropped the ball after a Southwell bomb as winger Julia Robinson smashed her. Teitzel picked up the scraps and stormed over.
Robinson weaved over five minutes later and barnstorming prop Shannon Mato was unstoppable close to the line.
Teitzel’s second was followed by Upton’s 10th finals try in the NRLW, six tries ahead of the next best. The skipper laid one on with a crafty grubber for centre Georgia Bartlett to finish and it was already a cakewalk before the halftime hooter.
Prop Brianna Clark crashed over after the break before Knights backs Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, Shanice Parker and Sidney Taylor got the visitors on the board in an improved second half.
Broncos hooker Jada Ferguson celebrated her 50th NRLW match with a win.
AAP