Broncos close to securing top-four spot after leapfrogging Warriors in see-sawing derby win
Updated . First published at
The Brisbane Broncos have survived five lead changes to defeat the North Queensland Cowboys 38-30 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday night.
In a final blow to the Cowboys' 2025 campaign, the Broncos secured the crucial win, moving into the top four in the process.
Wingers Gehamat Shibasaki and Semi Valemei both scored doubles for their respective teams.
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Cowboys centre Braidon Burns was marched to the sin bin just six minutes into the game after taking out the leg of Broncos fullback Reece Walsh, who was putting up a bomb.
Braidon Burns is sin binned. Nine
Putting pressure on the kicker, Burns made contact as Walsh's leg was outstretched.
"He's got that totally wrong, totally wrong ... that's the worst possible start for the Cowboys," Brad Fittler said in commentary for Nine.
"He took his eyes off the player."
Shibasaki scored the opening try for the Broncos in the second minute.
The Broncos took advantage of some flimsy Cowboys defence, with Walsh executing a one-handed flick pass to find Shibasaki on the short side.
Gehamat Shibasaki celebrates with his Broncos teammates after scoring a try against the Cowboys. Ian Hitchcock via Getty Images
With the Cowboys down a player, the Broncos quickly scored again when centre Kotoni Staggs crashed over.
However, despite being outnumbered, the Cowboys responded with a try of their own in the 14th minute when centre Zac Laybutt sent Valemei over in the corner.
The Cowboys soon levelled when hooker Reece Robson dummied for their second try.
A Jake Clifford try gave the Cowboys the lead.
Jeremiah Nanai stumbled through a hole and threw a flick pass that bounced off Walsh. Clifford collected the loose ball and went over to score.
Reece Walsh of the Broncos is tackled against the Cowboys. Ian Hitchcock via Getty Images
With the first half shaping up to be an arm-wrestle, the Broncos hit back as Billy Walters found Josiah Karapani with a cut-out pass.
Two minutes later, and on the eve of half-time, the Broncos scored as Deine Mariner broke away before setting up Walsh to reclaim the lead.
"It's just sheer talent, it's absolutely sheer talent," Phil Gould said in commentary.
The Broncos led 22-18 at the break.
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The lead changed again when Valemei scored his second of the game after picking off an intercept.
But Shibasaki soon answered with his own second try, keeping the game at a try-for-try pace.
The Broncos then added a controversial try after a questionable forward pass from Shibasaki to Billy Walters went undetected.
"It was two metres forward," Phil Gould said in commentary.
"He threw it forward."
Nanai was denied a try after the Bunker ruled he had knocked the ball on. The ball had hit Staggs' hand, but it was decided that Nanai failed to regather it cleanly.
"We can pick that up, but we can't pick up the two-metre forward pass from before," Gould quipped.
Payne Haas crashed over to deliver the final dagger to the Cowboys.
With the result, if the Warriors defeat the Sea Eagles in round 27, the Broncos will need to beat the Storm to hold onto their top-four spot.
