There has been the traditionally massive build-up to State of Origin Game 1, from discussions and analysis of the State of Origin team selections to the betting markets on this great state v state showdown.

State of Origin Best Bet: Queensland To Win by 1 – 12 @ $2.70 through bookmaker.com.au

The last time the mighty Queensland Maroons met with the New South Wales Blues was back in Game 3 last year when Queensland capped off their record breaking sixth straight Origin series win with a  34 – 24 win at Suncorp Stadium.

The Maroons led 24-nil in the opening 33 minutes of that match before the Blues fought back to score twice in the final three minutes of the game, closing the gap but not dampening the celebrations in the sunshine state.

Tonight is the Queenslander’s first game of a new era, an era with the legendary Darren Lockyer to captain them.

Taking over as skipper is Cameron Smith, and isn’t it fitting he gets to play his first as captain at his club home state in Melbourne.

Smith has battled with the flu this week but has been passed fit to play.

There’s always something niggling in the media to downplay Queensland’s dominance, but really they are the ones to beat.

And Smith isn’t the only one who will look at playing in Melbourne tonight as having the ‘home ground advantage’, much to the dislike of Blues’ coach Ricky Stuart.

He’s joined on the field by fellow Melbourne Storm stars Cooper Cronk and formidable fullback Billy Slater.

It really is a blissfully talented State of Origin Maroons team bursting with champions.

There’s five-eighth Johnathan Thurston who’ll be keen to help Smith fill Locky’s boots, the retiring warhorse Petero Civoniceva as well as exciting centres Justin Hodges and Greg Inglis geared up to get the job done.

And then there’s the bench.

When you have the likes of Ben Hannant, Dave Taylor, Dave Shillington and newbie Matt Gillett lying in wait for a run on you know that their opposition is going to find it tough.

They come in with more experience, more team cohesion, more confidence and are the raging favourites in the State of Origin odds at bookmaker.com.au.

Of course the Blues won’t just give the win away.

They have a new spine with halfback Mitchell Pearce, hooker Robbie Farah and fullback Brett Stewart who haven’t been there in that combo before.

Add into the mix the genius of Todd Carney and his can’t knock em’ down fellow Sharkie Paul Gallen you could just be expecting a tight State Of Origin result.

Love him or hate him the bad boy of league Carney has knuckled down this year and it shows.

He’s doing everything right which is why he’s earned that Blues jersey and he is key to inspiring an upset win here.

They also have a roster full of full 80-minute players such as the fiery Greg Bird, Jamie Buhrer, Luke Lewis and Tony Williams.

They are feeling the pressure, desperate to win back the respect of their fans and bragging rights they haven’t held in over half a decade.

They were thereabouts last year, but will they get any closer in 2012?

So how do you turn all his info into winnings? By showing your state support and having a State of Origin bet online at bookmaker.com.au.

See below for the NRLleague.com.au team’s exclusive State of Origin best bets then head along to bookmaker.com.au to get in on the action.

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2012 State of Origin Betting

State of Origin 2012 Odds

To Win –

• Queensland Maroons $1.49
• New South Wales blues $2.76

Line -

• QLD Maroons -5.5 @ $1.88
• NSW Blues +5.5 @ $2

Draw –

• $26

Win by 1 – 12

• QLD Maroons $2.70
• NSW Blues $3.65

Win by 13+

• QLD Maroons $3.10
• NSW Blues $8.50

Total Score –

• Over 38.5 @ $1.93
• Under 38.5 @ $1.91

State of Origin Best Bet

• Queensland To Win by 1 – 12 @ $2.70 through bookmaker.com.au

Queensland has enjoyed a stranglehold over the State of Origin arena winning an incredible six straight series.

They have a combination of class, skill, experience and legendary status that makes them all but unbeatable on paper and as it has been proven on the field as well.

So what are the Blues doing wrong? No one, least of all their coach Ricky Stewart really knows.

While it would seem that State of Origin Game 1 will play out on neutral territory taking place at Ethiad Stadium in Melbourne, one could argue this plays into the Maroon’s hands.

Two Melbourne Storm superstars are among the Maroons squad with champion fullback Billy Slater and Cam Smith who takes over as skipper for the retired great Darren Lockyer.

It is easy to see why Queensland are the shorties in the State of Origin odds at bookmaker.com.au paying around $1.40 to win.

Among the most experienced in a squad that boasts an incredible 147 winning State Of Origin matches in total are the warhorse Petero Civoniceva who will say goodbye to the game at the end of the season, Cowboys five eighty Johnathan Thurston, and fellow North Queenslander Matthew Scott to name a few.

But there are some rookie’s as well with two young players named to make their Origin debut in an extended 19-man team with the Broncos’ Matt Gillett on the bench and Manly’s star rookie Daley Cherry-Evans.

In an attempt to spice things up and inject something fresh into the New South Wales Origin team this year selectors have named four debutants.

Most notable of the quartet is the Sharks standout player Todd Carney who is doing everything right on and off the field this year making him deserving of his fifth eighth Blues’ jersey.

He should bring something good to the table too as he reunites with halfback Mitchell Pearce who he used to work some magic with on the green when playing for the Roosters.

The other New South Welshmen to make their debuts in State Of Origin Game 1 are then Cowboys’ James Tamou who will be looking to match his club teammates including his Cowboys captain Thurston on the opposite side for a change, flyer Jamie Buhrer and Tony Williams.

With so many Origin series losses the Blues are the underdogs going into game one paying around $2.70 through bookmaker.com.au.

So is there anything missing from the Queensland State of Origin Team?

Locky for one but Smith should captain them alright.

Cloud of injury over Justin Hodges, the centre suffering a foot injury that saw him miss Brisbane’s NRL Round 10 loss to Manly.

He says he’ll be right by Dane Nielsen has been named as the 19^th man just in case.

Hodges is one of four Brisbanites in the squad along with Nielsen, Sam Thaiday and Ben Hannant.

Along with the retired Locky the other notable absentee is Corey Parker who was snubbed by Origin selectors after his poor night on the boot against the Sea Eagles last week.

Check out the complete State of Origin 2012 team lists in the tables below.

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2012 Queensland Maroons State of Origin Game 1 Team

2012 New South Wales Blues State of Origin Game 1 Team

Everything these teams have been working on and playing for comes down to this Sydney Football Stadium showdown, a spot in the October 1 Grand Final up for grabs.

Match Odds: Manly $1.40 v $3 Brisbane at Luxbet

Manly have the home crowd advantage and are fresh off a week’s break after earning a green pass straight through to this after their big 42 – 8 annihilation of the Cowboys back in the opening finals.

Brisbane, however, are not only away from the sell-out crowds at Lang Park that they have been blessed to have played in front of for their past four, but are also without their inspirational skipper.

Darren Lockyer made the announcement yesterday that his final every NRL game, the champion retiring at the end of the season, may actually already be behind him after a horrific cheek injury he sustained in last Saturday night’s nail-biting 13 – 12 golden point win over the St George Illawrra Dragons would rule him out of playing this week.

For obvious reasons then, the Sea Eagles are the short-priced $1.30 favourites at Luxbet to win on Friday night.

Brisbane have blown out in the NRL odds to a quote of $3 since the news Locky won’t be there to guide they boys through what is sure to be a gripping game between two of League’s best.

The Broncos do get captain in waiting and this week’s stand in skipper Sam Thaiday back after he served a two-week suspension, however, and Matt Gillett has been called in to replace Locky in the now iconic No. 6 Brisbane jersey.

Match Stat: Manly haven’t lost a Grand Final Qualifier since 1975!

While Manly are the deserved favourites based on the above, Brisbane go in with no pressure now.

No one expects them to win and perhaps this will work in their favour, as they are the kind of team with the depth of talent that you don’t want to face with a complacent attitude.

The Sea Eagles are not full strength either, Glenn Stuart not being there likely to have more of an impact on their halves ability to shine than many think.

Statistics usually don’t lie and the statistics say Brisbane will lose this.

Their win rate with Locky on side is an impressive 66.8 per cent, without him in the line-up this drops to a dismal 28.6 percent.

There is also one that Manly fans will savour, the Sea Eagles not having lost a grand final qualifier since 1975.

That said, football isn’t played on paper it’s played on the field when guts and determination go further than any historical data will take a team and the Broncos really do want this more after Locky said he would right to play in the Grand Final should his team get there without his help.

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NRL Finals Week 3 – Game 1 Details

• Fixture: Manly Sea Eagles v Brisbane Broncos
• Date: Friday September 23, 2011
• Venue: Sydney Football Stadium
• Time: 7:45pm (local)
• Odds: Manly $1.40 – Brisbane $3 – Bet now at Luxbet

Finals Week 3 Team Lists Game 1

Sea Eagles: Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson, Jamie Lyon (c), Steve Matai, Will Hopoate, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Joe Galuvao, Matt Ballin, Brent Kite, Anthony Watmough, Tony Williams, Shane Rodney. Interchange (from): Tim Robinson, Jamie Buhrer, Vic Mauro, George Rose, Terence Seuseu

Broncos: Gerard Beale, Dale Copley, Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Jharal Yow Yew, TBC, Peter Wallace, Josh McGuire, Andrew McCullough, Ben Hannant, Alex Glenn, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker. Interchange (from): Matt Gillett, Ben Hunt, Scott Anderson, Ben Te’o, David Hala

Needing to win by at least 15 points to get into the top eight, the Lockyer-less Broncos were always going to struggle in this one.

The massive home crowd at Suncorp Stadium weren’t concerned with how much their mighty maroon and golds won by, they just wanted to farewell Folau with a win by any amount.

It wasn’t to be, however, as even with Peter Wallace risking his injured shoulder and making a last minute appearance, the Raiders were just too strong.

Canberra extended their end of season winning streak to five straight and pushed themselves up to seventh on the ladder, with SportsBet shortening their odds to win the Premiership into $16.

SportsBet shortened the Raiders odds to win the Premiership into $16 but fans that got in early locked them in at up to $101!

In a gritty start to the much anticipated showdown on Friday night, the first points didn’t get up on the board until the 18^th minute when the Raiders opened their account via a Daniel Vidot four-pointer off a bomb, the try converted by Jarrod Croker.

After gaining the upper hand and some momentum Canberra took full advantage and scored again just three minutes later through fullback Josh Dugan, who wasn’t popular with the crowds as he seemingly targeted Wallace and his shoulder all night.

Another successful kick by Croker pushed them in front 12 – nil and had the 38,870 plus Broncos’ fans sitting back in their seats.

Brisbane eventually answered back when young hooker Andrew McCullough scored their first in the 27^th minute after he dummied and sidestepped the Raiders’ defenders.

In an embarrassing gaff, Corey Parker missed a seemingly easy conversion from just off-centre and the Broncos still trailed by eight heading into halftime.

Back from the break the Raiders were able to score once more with Vidot making it a match double in the 59^th minute and Croker making it three from three to give them 18 points in total.

Staging a comeback the Broncos scored twice more before the game’s end, with winger Jharal Yow Yeh (68^th minute) and Matt Gillett (72^nd minute).

Parker booted both, but after missing the initial conversion it wasn’t quite enough to give Folau a winning send off and the home team lost by two.

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Brisbane are still well in the race to the finals having now won two on the trot and sitting in seventh spot on the ladder, while the Cowboys season has come to an end as they will play the next three weeks for their fans and pride alone.

There was plenty of fury and passion throughout the match with three sin-binnings and a number of other incidents that are awaiting review by the NRL committee.

Brisbane got off to a flying start with Matt Gillett opening their account with a four-pointer converted by Corey Parker less than five minutes in.

Matt Gillett paid out for punters that bet on him to score the first try at SportsBet

Holding a six point lead, Brisbane were given another early advantage with a penalty in the 10^th minute that Parker booted through the posts to put them eight in front.

Before the Cowboys got a chance to kick things off, Israel Folau scored Brisbane’s second in the 22^nd minute.

Fighting back, North Queensland’s Ty Williams scored their first five minutes later, Ashley Graham’s conversion making it a two point game.

Then in the 33^rd minute the Cowboys were given the chance to tie the score with a penalty, which they took and kicked successfully so the game was eight all.

But two fast tries by a determined Broncos saw the visitors head to the sheds well in front.

First Folau made it a match double in the 36^th minute followed by a try to skipper Darren Lockyer seconds before the break.

Parker converted one from two and the score was 24 – 8 in favour of Brisbane.

Back from the break Scott Bolton scored the first try of the second half for the Cowboys in the 48^th minute after a nice offload from Willie Mason, but Brisbane were quick to answer with a 53^rd minute four-pointer to the in-form Jharal Yow Yeh.

The game moved into the final 10 minutes with Brisbane leading 30 – 14, but there were still plenty of points left to be scored.

Matt Gillett’s top effort earned him man-of-the-match and earned fans who’d backed him to take out the honours at SportsBet a tidy profit

Gillett scored his second in the 72^nd minute to bring the Broncos up to 34 points and earning himself the man-of-the-match honours, but the Cowboys were able to get in two tries in the final four minutes through second rower Leeson Ah Mau (76^th minute) and Dane Hogan (79^th minute) to add some respectability to the score.

It wasn’t all good news for Brisbane, however, as Lockyer suffered a nasty rib injury that will see his team play without him for two weeks.

The Cowboys’ captain Johnathan Thurston was also injured during the fiery encounter, straining his right ankle ligament.

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Despite a brave second half comeback, the Broncos just didn’t have enough in the tank to defeat a gallant Roosters outfit owing their victory to brilliant centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall and his four tries, who were playing in Brisbane for the first time in five years.

It was a disappointing result for the Broncos after they previously beat the Titans 24 – 10 in Round 19, but they still have a chance to reignite their finals dreams and make the playoffs.

Now out of the top eight, Brisbane still have a chance to reward fans that bet on them to ‘Make the Top 8’ at SportsBet if they win this week

The victory saw Sydney, who were very inconsistent earlier in the season, win their fourth on the trot earning them a spot in the top three.

It was an especially impressive win by the Chooks who had to make last minute changes to their squad following the withdrawal of injured stars Mitchell Pearce and Nate Myles.

The Broncos got off to a good start when hooker Andrew McCullough scored the first try of the game in the third minute after a deft dummy half run, and a successful conversion by Corey Parker saw the home side hold an early six point lead.

But Brisbane were soon in trouble after the Roosters scored three tries in 10 minutes to snare a huge lead.

Todd Carney, on fire over the past month and filling in as halfback for the night, opened the Chooks’ account in the 15^th minute and then Shaun Kenny-Dowall got over twice in five minutes with two fast four-pointers in the 20^th and 25^th minutes.

Carney converted all three with pin-point accuracy and the Roosters went to the break leading 16 – 6.

It was payday for punters with money on the Chooks to lead at half time in the SportsBet markets

In the second half it was more of the same excellent form for Sydney who extended their lead to an emphatic 22 points within 10 minutes.

First Joseph Leliua got over in the 44^th and then Kenny-Dowall made it a hat trick in the 50^th minute after a 75 metre dash. Two more classy kicks from Carney had them feeling very confident in front 28 – 6.

In a brave finish from the Broncos, the home team had their fans cheering with everything they had, Brisbane fighting back to score four quick tries of their own as the tri colours dropped off in defence.

Matt Gillett started their late surge in the 54^th minute, followed by the flying Israel Folau who scored in 60^th minute. Five minutes later the in-form winger Antonio Winterstein was over, before prop Nick Kenny scored a controversial try with 10 minutes left on the clock.

Parker, one of the best goalkickers in the competition, made it five from five with another three conversions and Brisbane looked to have made the comeback of the season leading 30 – 28.

But in a nail-biting finish Kenny-Dowal topped off a record evening, scoring his fourth match try in the 74^th minute after some great work from Carney and Minichiello, converted by Carney so the Roosters finished in front by four.

In more bad news for Brisbane, star utility Ben Te’o could be out for six weeks after breaking his foot and Winterstein injured his knee.

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Brisbane clawed their way back into the seventh spot on the ladder winning off they bye, before which they were narrowly defeated by the Tigers.

Showing great improvement after their dismal start to the season, where they won just two of their opening eight games, Brisbane stepped up in defence and played with plenty of determination on Friday night.

If the Broncos continue this great form they look good to ‘Make the Top 4’, so check out their odds at SportsBet.

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The Gold Coast have slipped further down the ladder into eighth spot, just hanging onto their finals dreams after suffering their third straight loss.

Things got off to a tense start for the Broncos who found themselves trailing by 10 points after 25 minutes before they turned things around in a head-spinning second half performance.

The home side Titans started strongly and dominated in possession, with veteran Mat Rogers opening their account in the ninth minute, then converting his own try.

Bodene Thompson backed this up in the 25^th minute scoring the Gold Coast’s second, but Rogers missed the kick so they were less than two converted tries in front.

Brisbane finally fought back in the 33^rd minute when Matt Gillett scored and after Corey Parker, who had a brilliant night on the boot converting four from four, kicked it through the posts from the sideline the Broncos trailed 10 – 6 heading into the break.

In the second half Brisbane totally dominated with young Antonio Winterstein leading the way scoring a double.

The game spun in the Broncos favour when Mat Rogers was controversially sin-binned and sent off for 10 after holding down Broncos winger Jharal Yow Yeh in the 52^nd minute.

Playing 13 on 12 gave Brisbane the break they were looking for to turn things around and moments later Winterstein got over in the 54^th minute. With Parker’s second sideline conversion, Brisbane snuck into the lead by two points.

Things looked dangerous for a while, the Broncos defence really put on the line as they were desperate to hang onto their narrow lead.

Then in the 68^th minute Winterstein made it a match double, jumping on a ball from Josh Hoffman who made a sensational low catch and almost simultaneous grubber-kick. Another beauty from Parker extended their lead 18 – 10.

Young Jharal Yow Yeh put the icing on the cake in the 78^th minute scoring the Broncos fourth try, Parker’s kick sailing through on the siren so the visitors enjoyed a tidy 24 – 10 win.

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In more bad news for the Titans their five-eighth Greg Bird was sent off late in the match after injuring his hamstring and will likely miss 4 – 6 weeks.

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Brisbane now have a real chance of going all the way this year, something that could not have been said about them at the start of the season when they lost six of their first eight games. Digging deep and finding their feet, the Broncos have worked their way up to number seven on the ladder and look to keep on climbing.

South Sydney, still in the number five spot, failed to rise to the occasion and their recent form was shut down on Sunday as they never looked a chance.

The Bunnies were missing a number of their big name players including Origin star Dave Taylor, the suspended Isaac Luke, and Sam Burgess away on Test duty.

But this was little excuse for the Rabbitohs, as the Broncos showed depth with their young guns rising to the challenge and winning without Lockyer, Thaiday and Folau.

Brisbane’s huge nine-tries-to-four victory was beautiful to watch, with acting captain Corey Parker living up to his role with ease and booting seven from nine as well. And Parker had plenty of support with Hoffman, Yow Yeh, Te’o and Gillett all putting in career best performances.

There were doubles and triples for all the rising stars, with just four players scoring all nine of the Broncos tries.

Josh Hoffman bagged a first-half double scoring in the opening try in the 11^th and then in the 33^rd minutes.

Then the speedy Jharal Yow Yeh, proving why he was named as the Maroons 18^th man for Origin II, also got in a double scoring their second and ninth tries in the 14^th and 78^th minutes; his final coming after he broke free and sprinted down the right side, sprinting 60 metres and kicking to himself in a stunning solo effort.

In-form backrower Ben Te’o scored a hat-trick with a try in the 18^th minute and then either side of the break in the 39^th and 43^rd minutes.

And Folau’s replacement in the centres, Matt Gillett was also impressive and had some fun getting in a double in the 54^th and 74^th minutes, after he had displayed some skilful passing that resulted in two of Te’o’s tries.

An uninspiring Rabbitohs outfit did manage to score first in when winger Nathan Merritt got over in the seventh minute. Merritt also scored South’s final try in the 72^nd minute adding to a night of multiples. Their other tries went to Colin Best and Ben Lowe, and Chris Sandow converted three from four, but their 22 points did little to soften the blow the baby Broncos thrashing caused.

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Prior to the game the Titans were at number two on the NRL ladder having won seven of their nine games to date, while the Broncos trailed at opposite end in the 13^th spot.

The loss has seen the Gold Coast club slip to number three, with the Panthers sneaking into number two thanks to their bye in round nine and their victory ahead of the Sharks last Sunday.

There five tries to one victory on Friday was the Broncos second big win in as many weeks following their decisive 36 – 14 victory ahead of the Storm in round nine, and was also the first time this season  they have pulled off two consecutive wins.

After their last two impressive performances, the Broncos have now moved up to number 11 on the ladder and if they continue this new found form could just make the top eight.

Peter Wallace made a triumphant come back after injury, Israel Folau proved exactly why his services are in such hot demand from rival codes with a first half double, and Corey Parker was able to celebrate his 200^th first-grade game with a win, so it was smiles all round for the Red Hill-based boys.

The freakishly talented Israel Folau began the Broncos assault just eight minutes in scoring for the team that so desperately needs his skills, and Corey Parker converted so the home team had an early six point lead.

Just 10 minutes later Joseph Tomane had the Gold Coast supporters in the crowd cheering when he scored a four-pointer for the visitors and Scott Prince booted it through the posts so the Queenslanders were tied six all.

In the 30^th minute Folau gave Brisbane the boost they needed, completing his double with another impressive try that Parker kicked so the Broncos held a six point lead heading into half time.

Although the score looked close after the first 40, the second half was totally dominated by Brisbane who managed to get in another three tries while keeping the Titans from scoring any more points.

Eight minutes into the second half, the in-form Ben Te’o scored a converted try to extend their lead 18 – 6. Lagi Setu then went over in the 63^rd minutes and Parker’s kick saw them ahead by another six.

Before it was over, Matt Gillett, also back from injury, added some more gloss to the score with a intercept four-pointer with three minutes left on the clock, giving Brisbane their final score of 28.

Best performers of the match had to be the Brisbane back rowers Te’o, Parker and Thaiday who never slowed down running hard and tirelessly tackling the Titans.

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The out of form Sharks have now lost five from six this season and are the hot favourites for the 2010 Wooden Spoon.

The home ground advantage and the return of a number of their star players, namely Israel Folau and Corey Parker, saw the Broncos finally notch their second win, and what a win it was.

In their previous four matches Brisbane had been unable to get any more than 16 points on the board, but this round they scored a remarkable eight tries to elevate to number 14 on the NRL ladder.

Folau and Parker were instrumental in the Broncos win, Folau scoring a double and Parker kicking six from eight conversion attempts.

But it was Brisbane’s almost immaculate completion rate in the first half, 23 out of 24 sets, which allowed them to dominate by so much.

The first half saw the Broncos score a slick six tries, including a double each to centre Matt Gillett and the much loved Folau, while the struggling Sharks were miserable in both attack and defence failing to put any of their own points on the board in the first 40 minutes.

Gillett was first to score seven minutes into the match in his first of two tries. The Broncos Dunamis Lui then backed up with his first NRL try in the 14^th minute, before Gillett was at it again getting over in the 20^th minute.

Parker missed the first kick but booted the next two straight through the posts giving Brisbane a secure 16 to nil lead after the first quarter.

Just five minutes later they were over the Sharks line again, with Ben Te’o putting another four pointer down to extend their lead to 20 points.

In the last 15 minutes the Broncos continued to give the Sharks more grief as Folau scored twice in the last two minutes and Parker converted both so they went to the break grinning, ahead by an emphatic 32 points.

In the second half the Sharks briefly looked like they might make a match of it when halfback Tim Smith got over just three minutes back from the break. Nathan Stapleton kicked the conversion easing the gap to 32 – 6.

Brisbane, however, were still firing on all cylinders and powerful backrower Sam Thiaday scored 10 minutes later before Josh Hoffman scored the Broncos’ eighth and final try two minutes outside the last quarter. Parker kicked both of the second half tries, giving them an impressive final score of 44.

In the final 20 minutes Cronulla did their best to put a bit of decency into the score and Issac Gordon and Siosaia Vave each scored a second half try. Stapleton converted one and they got up to 16 points, still 28 away from their rivals.

It wasn’t all good news for Brisbane however, as they have lost halfback Peter Wallace to a medial ligament injury in his knee, while Cronulla’s prop Josh Cordoba was out in the second half and on his way to hospital following a horrific elbow dislocation.