Broncos season 'up in smoke' as Trindall spoils party in Brisbane
Sharks gun Braydon Trindall was not going to allow an epic comeback win be within arms reach of the Broncos on Saturday, spoiling the party in the stands to claim a 28-16 win at Suncorp Stadium.
The Broncos were on the back foot for a large portion of the game until a lapse in Cronulla’s defence opened the path for the hosts to claw back an 18-point deficit.
Trindall celebrates his heroic efforts. Bradley Kanaris
Trailing 22-6 in the 62nd minute, an error by Tom Hazelton gifted Brisbane the ball and league great Michael Ennis pleaded for the Broncos to make the most of it.
“Just take the shackles off and play, boys. Start taking the line on,” he said in commentary on Fox League.
On the fifth tackle, Tom Duffy put in a pinpoint grubber for Hayze Perham to chase, barging past three defenders to snatch the ball away from Teig Wilton under the posts and score a try.
The remarkable effort inspired a new sense of belief for his Broncos teammates, with Preston Riki soon after attempting to make a powerful run, but he was stopped by a bone-rattling tackle by Trindall which popped the ball out loose.
Two more errors followed that set, but Deine Mariner - who was playing in his first match since undergoing limb saving surgery - flew over on the right wing.
Only a converted try separated the two teams with six minutes left on the clock and the Broncos, supported by a roaring home crowd, were hungry to win.
A number of penalties went in favour of the home side from there on out until a knock-on by Kotoni Staggs fell into the hands of Trindall, who ran 65 metres to score the game-winning try.
“He elevates Cronulla towards that top four and (puts) Brisbane’s season up in smoke,” Ennis called as Trindall powered over the tryline.
It’s the reigning premiers’ eighth-straight loss – their last victory coming against the Bulldogs all the way back on Anzac weekend.
It was a dramatic ending to what had been a match heavily dominated by the Sharks, with Sione Katoa powering over for an early double.
Brisbane only got one try on the scoreboard in the first half via Cory Paix, while Cronulla sent Katoa over for a hat-trick to open the scoring in the final 40.
