Round 24, 2019: Brisbane 17 Parramatta 16

NRL.com

Broncos v Eels: Ferguson returns to face unchanged Broncos

The Broncos might be still licking their wounds after failing to square the 2019 ledger at 1-1 with the Rabbitohs last week.

But while it was widely rated as one of the games of year and the Broncos played with the right amount of desperation and effort right up to the 80th minute, they were out-classed at crucial stages.

They are back on home turf on Friday night against another team above them on the ladder and might be still haunted by a 38-10 thrashing from Parramatta in round 14.

The Eels became the Bulldogs' latest victims last week and simply can't afford another loss if they are any chance of sneaking into the top four.

The Rundown

Team news

Broncos: Anthony Seibold has stuck with the same squad which went within an ace of beating the Rabbitohs last week. Jake Turpin returns from suspension next week.

Eels: Good news for the Eels with Blake Ferguson (knee) named for his first game since round 17. Fergo's return sees Brad Takairangi revert to the bench. Marata Niukore comes into the starting side for the suspended Nathan Brown. After being cut an hour before kick-off last week Peni Terepo has been named on the bench at the expense of the man who took his place Tepai Moeroa.

Key match-up

Anthony Milford caught a bit of flak after his indifferent performance against the Rabbitohs. If Brisbane hope to play finals footy they need Milford to play like a superstar in his clash with Eels fullback Clint Gutherson, who will be out for a big game after last week's loss to the Dogs.

For the Broncos to win

Milford and Darius Boyd have to take control and get their hands on the ball more often - especially Milford and especially if it's close down the stretch. David Fifita also needs lots of touches on the edges, while Payne Haas and Matt Lodge need to dominate the Eels up front.

For the Eels to win

They need to get straight back on the horse after having a four-game winning streak snapped by the Dogs last week. Parra have to stay positive and confident in what they're doing, particularly Mitch Moses and Dylan Brown. Maika Sivo will be fired up to wreak havoc after being kept tryless last week.

Brett Kimmorley says

Massive clash for both sides. If there’s anyone who needs to stand up for his team this weekend it is Darius Boyd. We’ve read a lot and heard a lot about him all season. He’s copped criticism so I’m looking for him to lead. Parramatta were extremely poor last weekend and very, very flat. I would expect that Brad Arthur won’t let them be like that two weeks in a row. Mitchell Moses and Manu Ma’u didn’t combine very well last week but I think that’s where they go again to try and expose the Broncos. Eels by 2

Stat Attack

The Broncos are the NRL's top team for tackle busts (824) and are fifth in post contact metres (10,366). They are also the leaders in kick metres (13,454) and intercepts (15).

And another thing ...

It was a Parra picnic when these teams last locked horns in Round 14, as the Eels cruised to a 38-10 victory after setting up a 26-0 half-time lead. Josh Hoffman scored two of the home team's seven tries, while Mitch Moses kicked five goals.

NRL.com

Fifita immense as Isaako ices golden point thriller for Broncos

A Jamayne Isaako field goal in the first minute of golden point has given the Broncos a 17-16 win over the Eels after wrecking ball forward David Fifita went on a surging 30-metre run to put his winger in perfect position.

In an extraordinary show of strength Fifita collected the ball on the 45-metre line and surged past six Eels to give Isaako the shot from close range.

The Broncos have one foot in the finals after captain Darius Boyd inspired the victory over the Eels in his best game for the year in the five-eighth position.

A Boyd bust was the catalyst for the Broncos' first try and his pace and desire was the key when he later pounced on an Anthony Milford grubber to notch his side’s second.

The victory took the Broncos to 25 competition points, one point clear of Cronulla and three ahead of Penrith and Wests Tigers, both on 22 points.

If the Broncos beat the Bulldogs next Saturday night they will finish either seventh or eighth.

The Eels, on 28 points, have next to no chance of finishing in the top four and seem set to finish in sixth position and host a final at Bankwest Stadium.

Boyd, who has copped plenty of criticism for most of the season, answered his critics emphatically with a captain’s knock when it was all on the line.

Boyd had plenty of mates with Milford and Fifita, who made 15 tackle busts, both enormous. The Eels refused to give in and came home on fire after Brisbane led 16-6.

After both sides had exchanged penalties in a tight opening quarter of the match, the Eels scored the first try with a sweeping right to left backline play as the passes swung through Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown to Clint Gutherson.

The Eels skipper delivered a perfect face ball on the chest of an unmarked Maika Sivo who went over untouched for his 17th try of the season.

The Broncos had looked most likely to score early through Fifita and it was the 19-year-old wrecking ball who gave Brisbane the lead after captain Boyd sliced through the line with a step and turn of speed.

Isaako landed a penalty on the stroke of half-time from 35 metres out for Brisbane to lead 10-6 at the break.

Fifita threatened again early in the second stanza and on the back of another surge Milford caressed a grubber through the line for a flying Boyd to extend the advantage to 16-6.

Flying Fijian winger Sivo was the man most likely to break the game open for the Eels and he then went on a raking surge down field. Andrew McCullough, aware a quick play the ball could have been deadly, held him down and was sin-binned.

The Broncos had several chances to score but were repelled by the Eels.

Then with 14 minutes remaining Blake Ferguson scored a winger’s try for the ages on his return from a six-week lay off with a knee infection.

On the back of a three-man cut-out pass from Junior Paulo, the NSW winger was airborne with all of his body over the sideline but somehow managed to plant the ball in the corner before his knees touched the ground.

The Eels powered on and the strength and determination of Kane Evans from close range levelled the scores as he reached out with one hand to score a cracker and level it up at 16-all in the 76th minute.

Isaako then attempted 45-metre field goal with 39 seconds remaining and hit the posts in a heart-stopping ending to normal time.

He was to get another crack from closer range a minute later in golden point and, thanks to the unstoppable Fifita, landed it with aplomb to keep the Broncos premiership hopes well and truly alive.

The Eels showed the kind of grit that got them into the finals in the first place and did not die wondering.