Video Referee Decision Turns Match

NRL Round 24, 2007

Brisbane Broncos 30 def Canberra Raiders 19

The Broncos were able to keep their NRL Finals hopes alive today after a scrappy win over the unlucky Canberra Raiders at Suncorp Stadium.

While both sides were guilty of poor handling and simple errors, a crucial video referee call to disallowed a Todd Carney try virtually handed the game to Brisbane after the Raiders looked to have things sewn up.

Gifted plenty of possession early on, the Broncos struggled to threaten in attack - again showing how much they miss Darren Lockyer. The Raiders to their credit defended extremely well, repelling the Broncos for several consecutive sets.

Dane Tilse having a forgettable game for the Green Machine, his handling and focus continually failing him as he turned the ball over multiple times, early in the count.

The spare parts Broncos have done well to keep in touch, not just in this game but for virtually the past month. They may have been losing games but have pushed fancied teams such as Parramatta, Manly and the Bulldogs to the limit. Their never say die attitude has kept them alive with a chance of making the finals if they beat the Eels next Sunday.

While Justin Hodges was the everywhere man for the Broncos again today, setting up the plays and defending like a superstar - it was new boy Dave Taylor who again showed he is the next big Queensland product, having a barnstorming game. The bulky forward will most certainly slip on the Maroon jersey soon rather than later, the rookie looks to be the wildcard the Broncos have in the weeks ahead.

Sadly for Canberra, if only they had secured possession for longer periods - they looked extremely dangerous for most of the match. Early on, they looked certain to blow the Broncos away - they just kept coughing it up. Unlucky referee calls and the video ref call against Todd Carney really made things hard for them.

The Broncos will monitor Tonie Carroll after todays match, the damaging forward / pivot injuring himself late in the match and understandably will be a week by week proposition. Brisbane travel to Parramatta Stadium to take on the Eels next Sunday in Channel 9's Match of the Day. The Top 4 hopeful Eels will now face a desperate Broncos outfit trying to scrape into the Top 8.