After just one game, the Brisbane Broncos have already put the other NRL teams on notice with a 50-4 win over the North Queensland Cowboys in their NRLW opener.
From start to finish, the Broncos kept their cool, their composure, making it seem like losing some star rep players has done nothing to deter their ambitions.
It took just two minutes to open the scoring as Kerri Johnson went over out wide with a nice finish,.
Just four minutes later, veteran half Ali Brigginshaw showed everyone how it’s done as she took the line on, coasted past defenders & planted the ball down.
A third try soon followed as Tamika Upton found Romy Teitzel with a nice short pass as she strolled over untouched.
The Cowboys would pull a try back through Emma Manzelmann when she showed some crafty work from dummy half but that would be as good as it got for the North Queensland side.
The left edge was where the Broncos were finding success and their lead was soon back out to fourteen as Johnson nabbed her second try.
Upton then went herself off a scrum play to get around Rosie Kelly and over the line.
Not content with that scoreline, the Broncos went over again as Southwell and Chelsea Lenarduzzi combined to put NRLW debutant Rhemy Hinckesman over to score.
The tries would not stop in the second as the Broncos went down the right edge this time for former rugby sevens star Caitlin Urwin to score in her NRLW debut.
Tafao Asaua would be sin-binned for a professional foul but the Cowboys were able to hang on for much of that period despite playing with twelve.
The Broncos would score again with thirteen minutes to go as Georgia Bartlett chased down a kick, offloaded before falling and Lauren Dam would scoop the ball up to score.
The left wing saw the next try and it would be Johnson to complete her hat-trick and cap off a stellar opening round performance.
On the cusp of the finish, Harlem Walker would also score on her NRLW debut as the left hand side again capitalised.
Broncos coach Scott Prince highlighted his side’s ability to focus on themselves and their own game.
“I guess our focus is just worry about ourselves and sort of set a standard,” Prince said.
“The girls are right across it and it was a great first up win. Not trying to take much out of the game but was really impressed defensively.”
Although his side came in with a plan of their own, Cowboys coach Ricky Henry admits the Broncos were just too good tonight.
“The Broncos were just too good tonight,” Henry admitted.
“It’s a little bit disappointing for us so we’ve gotta go back to the drawing board and review what we’ve gotta get right.”
Brisbane Broncos 50 (Johnson 3, Brigginshaw, Teitzel, Upton, Hinckesman, Urwin, Dam, Walker; Goals: Southwell 5) def. North Queensland Cowboys 4 (Manzelmann)
Ricky’s Player of the Game
3. Tamika Upton (BRI)
2. Chelsea Lenarduzzi (BRI)
1. Lillian Yarrow (BRI)
