Far from convincing, Brisbane pulled off a 24-2 win over Newcastle tonight delivering their foundation coach Wayne Bennett a farewell at Suncorp Stadium to remember.
The win tonight helped Bennett end his 21-year club association with the old Lang Park on a good note.
The 37,552 crowd together with a big screen tribute showcased people’s appreciation of Bennett’s contribution to not only the Broncos Club, but the game of NRL.
Not surprisingly, during his speech, Bennett turned the thanks around to the crowd. He admitted not being too big on accolades and in turn gave all accolades to the fans.
Humble Bennett told the crowd how he and his team have played for them. In the earlier years with Wally Lewis and followed on by Kev Walters and the great Allan Langer. Bennett confessed the game was always about the fans.
Playing his 100th game, tonight was also an important night for Karmichael Hunt. At only 21, Hunt became the youngest player to reach such a milestone.
Hunt put Broncos on the board in the 43rd minute with referee Tim Mander awarding their first try. Then the play maker put on a spectical that saw Ben Hannant cross the line in the 61st minute putting Brisbane 8 points ahead of the Knights at 10-2 .
Steve Simpson spent 10 minutes in the bin for a professional foul after holding Hunt down. The penalty gave Hannant his second try of the night as he bulldozed over the try line taking the score to 16-2.
With the possibility of Brisbane hosting a home final, tonight was also an emotional night for Bronco’s forward Tonie Carroll as he made his official farewell appearance.
The win tonight leaves Brisbane in 5th position on the competition ladder. They now face the Roosters who are placed 4th after beating the Dragons.
Newcastle’s hopes now lie with Parramatta. They need the Eels to beat the Warriors preventing the team from across the Tasman from stealing their top 8 position.
After a last minute try from Joel Moon, Carroll was given an opportunity to kick the first goal of his career. With his team behind his cheering him on, he hooked it and missed out on the 2 extra points.
Bennett finished by giving thanks to the 140+ players he had coached at the Club. “Think of all the wonderful players in 21 years who made my job easier,” said Bennett, being true to his word and not showing any emotion.
“I’ve been proud to be part of their lives and the fans should be proud of them.
“I hope you enjoyed the Broncos tonight.”
Hi, I’am a hard die fun of the Brisbane Broncos and it is truely amazing to have a coach like Wayne Bennett and a very successful one, we are all surely going to miss he, it’s the best in the life time of Brisbane Broncos.
I believe strongly that the Broncos will make it into the top four (4)
Julie Menei
Papua New Guinea