Broncos 22
Sea Eagles 6
AFL recruit Israel Folau showed a possible glimpse of his future by taking a huge mark to score one of his two tries in Brisbane's gutsy NRL victory over Manly at Brookvale Oval yesterday.
The Broncos conceded a try after just two minutes, but Folau's dominant leap over Sea Eagles fullback Ben Farrar and subsequent surge to the tryline in the 18th minute saw the Broncos take control in soggy conditions.
A precise Darren Lockyer bomb found Farrar flat-footed, and Folau used the size, skill and power that AFL officials are hoping he can muster to become a success for Greater Western Sydney in 2011.
Folau also crossed under the posts with five minutes to go to put the icing on the cake for an important away victory for the Broncos.
NSW selectors will have an anxious night after Manly second rower Anthony Watmough limped from the field with an apparent leg injury.
Constant rain made handling a problem, and on a dry track the Broncos might well have put a big score on a lethargic Manly.
The Sea Eagles did not look like scoring in the second half, but were still in the match until the 68th minute when some Sam Thaiday brilliance secured the game for the visitors.
The in-form Queensland forward popped a beautiful inside pass to a flying Josh Hoffman on his inside who raced 20m to score and give the Broncos a 16-6 lead.
The Broncos had trailed 6-4 at halftime, but should have led after squandering numerous chances. Manly scored through Tony Williams. They took the lead just six minutes in to the second half, with a burrowing effort from interchange dummy half Ben Hunt.
While he did not see much ball on the right wing, the match marked the debut of Sea Eagles prodigy William Hopoate. The 18-year-old son of former Manly favourite John Hopoate will be hoping for greater opportunity should he get another crack soon.
- AAP
