The Tigers produced a huge upset over the Broncos, escaping with a 32-18 win at Suncorp Stadium to snap a seven-game losing streak and hand interim coach Brett Kimmorley his first win in charge.
They struck first in the clash but it was neck and neck until the Tigers scored either side of the half to turn the tide.
Fox League pundit Michael Ennis noted that the Tigers were “winning the physical battle” and could feel they could “smell the Broncos are off”.
Adam Doueihi and Jock Madden contributed to the win with the new halfback duo, with Doueihi scoring a try and kicking six goals in six goals, while Madden scored a try and set up two.
MATCH CENTER: Brisbane Broncos vs Wests Tigers live score, stats, video
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Tigers’ Adam Doueihi is congratulated by team-mates after scoring a try. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
75TH MINUTE
Adam Doueihi got a deserved try to seal the win.
MINUTE 73
The Tigers suffered a major blow in the final minutes when Jackson Hastings left the field with an ankle injury. He suffered on a tackle by Patrick Carrigan, who was called for a hip-dropping tackle. Adam Doueihi kicked a penalty goal to extend his side’s lead to 26-18.
57TH MINUTE
Jordan Riki scored a crucial try to bring his side back into the competition. The boom rower beat four Tigers players to score.
49th MINUTE
The Tigers’ drive continued with Zane Musgrove running right over Cory Paix to score.
45TH MINUTE
It was back-to-back tries for the Tigers with Starford To’a crossing in the corner. Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds took a hit in the process and left the field for an HIA.
The Tigers pulled off an upset win. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
MINUTE 37
Jock Madden made the most of his first-grade call-up. He delivered a “beautiful” short ball, according to Michael Ennis, to put Kelma Tuilagi through a gap and then backed up and recovered the ball to score.
MINUTE 26
Halves Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam combined well to score with the latter somehow putting the ball on the ground while basically upside down in a tackle.
Michael Ennis called the duo “the ying and the yang”.
MINUTE 21
The Broncos hit back through gun-back Tesi Niu, who scored a “superb” try, running around Asu Kepaoa and then tripping Brent Naden. Fox League’s Michael Ennis later stated, “This kid is special.”
12th MINUTE
The Tigers scored the first points of the night through Brent Naden, who planted the ball in the corner after impressive forehand work from halfback Jock Madden and center Asu Kepaoa.
PREDICTION OF THE MATCH
Wests Tigers found some form last week but have suffered a major setback ahead of their clash with the Broncos with Luke Brooks ruled out.
Brooks suffered a calf injury during practice, forcing interim coach Brett Kimmorley to make a call on his spine.
Kimmorley has opted not to switch Jackson Hastings from lock to the halves and instead called on Jock Madden, who will play his first game of the season in his preferred half-back role.
Broncos coach Kevin Walters has also made some changes to his squad. Billy Walters returns from a hip injury, forcing Jake Turpin out of the side, while Delouise Hoeter comes into the wing to replace Jordan Periera, who is out with illness.
And Broncos fans will see one of their exciting youngsters with 19-year-old Deine Mariner to make his debut in the centres.
A win for Brisbane will make it four on the trot and could see them move back into the top four, while the Tigers will be keen to put last week’s heartbreaking final against the Cowboys behind them with a strong performance to get off the bottom of the ladder. .
TEAMS
broncos: 1. Tesi Niu 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Delouise Hoeter 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13 Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Corey Jensen 17. Keenan Palasia. Substitute player: 18. Te Maire Martin
tigers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Brent Naden 3. Starford To’a 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Adam Doueihi 18. Jock Madden 8. James Tamou 9. Fa’amanu Brown 10. Joe Ofahengaue 11. Alex Seyfarth 12 Kelma Tuilagi 13. Jackson Hastings 14. Fonua Pole 15. Zane Musgrove 16. Austin Dias 17. Tyrone Peachey. Substitute player: 19. Junior Tupou
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