Corey Parker

The Queensland derby is usually a close, tense affair but this time around, it was all one wya traffic. The match belonged to the Brisbane Broncos, as they steamrolled fellow QLD side, the North Queensland Cowboys, winning 44-22.

In front of a crowd at Suncorp Stadium of over 40,000, it was the biggest win by the Broncos over their rival since 2008.

Additionally, it was the first time since Round 14, 2002, that the Broncos scored more than 30 points in the opening half against the Cowboys.

The Cowboys now languish at the bottom of the ladder with 0-3 and with a tough run of games coming up, things at this point, look rather bleak.

The Cowboys just had no answer for the Broncos attack, with Lachlan Maranta, Corey Parker and Ben Hunt all starring, among other players.

It was not all smiles from Wayne Bennett despite his side’s strong performance, though. He was still disappointed with certain aspects of their play.

“There was lot of things about our performance I didn’t like. That’s why I’m here – to get it better,” Bennett said.

“It wasn’t so much the last 20 minutes – the first 60 (minutes) annoyed me as much as last 20 – just a few different things.

“It’s not big, glaring things. It’s just small things that against the really good teams they are going to hurt you.

“That’s why we need to get better and we are getting better. The scoreboard kind of inflated us a fair but I thought.”

Despite the Cowboys best efforts, whenever it looked like they were getting back into the game, the Broncos either responded with a try of their own or with sturdy defence to deny the Cowboys a chance.

The Broncos did lose Josh McGuire to concussion, but he is expected to be fit and raring to go come the next round.

A further downside for the Cowboys was forward leader and representative prop Matt Scott put on report for a high tackle.

Player of the Game:

3. Corey Parker
2. Ethan Lowe
1. Jordan Kahu

Brisbane Broncos 44 (Lachlan Maranta 2, Ben Hunt, Josh McGuire, Corey Parker, Andrew McCullough, Justin Hodges, Jordan Kahu tries; Corey Parker 6 goals) def. North Queensland Cowboys 22 (Kyle Feldt 2, Michael Morgan, Justin O’Neill tries; Johnathan Thurston 3 goals) at Suncorp Stadium. Half-time: Broncos 32-6. Crowd: 40,047. On Report: Matt Scott (High contact – 72nd minute).

By ricky

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