Kotoni Staggs raced 100 metres to seal a Broncos victory in the inaugural Brisbane derby on Friday night — and what followed was a screaming message for the Dolphins.
“Our f—ing home!” said the gun Broncos centre as he pointed with aggression to the Suncorp Stadium turf.
The Brisbane fans in the sell-out crowd were in raptures after the long-range Staggs four-pointer in the dying minutes clinched an 18-12 victory for the Broncos, who had been desperate to secure a statement win over their new cross-city rivals.
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Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow had pounced on an Anthony Milford grubber to steal the lead for the Dolphins in the 63rd minute, before a runaway Kurt Capewell try and an Adam Reynolds conversion regained the lead for the Broncos with eight minutes remaining.
Trailing 14-12, the Dolphins pushed for a come-from-behind victory as they raided Brisbane’s try line, but Milford grubbered, Staggs swooped and the talented Bronco took off down the field, winning the game for his side.
The New South Wales State of Origin weapon also racked up 237 run metres and was a daunting force in defence.
Broncos coach Kevin Walters spoke highly of Staggs in his post-match press conference.
“He’s been really good for us in the opening month now. He’s had a good month of footy,” Walters said.
“He’s a quality player, a class player, certainly he’s a rep player.
“He’s getting himself into that mode, into that zone where he’s performing consistently every week.
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“We haven’t seen a lot of him in attack. His defence has been good, but … he scored a couple of tries last week and another one tonight.
“You just notice his presence out there, particularly the physical side of the game, which he thrives in.”
Tensions boil over in Dolphins-Broncos derby
The Dolphins produced another performance built on their formidable forward pack and tenacity, even in the absence of the suspended Felise Kaufusi.
Tom Gilbert sparked a first-half melee when he towered over Reynolds and roughed up the halfback, letting him know about a butchered pass.
The Dolphins took the game to the death despite losing their hooker in the 26th minute and their halfback in the 61st minute.
Kodi Nikorima departed the field with a bloodied head after colliding with Gilbert, while O’Sullivan’s night ended in a sling after he suffered a pectoral injury.
The Dolphins will chase their fourth win from five games when they meet the Dragons in Wollongong next Saturday night, while the Broncos will aim to extend their undefeated start to the season in a clash with Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium on the same evening.
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