Blowtorch on Walters as Broncos hit for sixth straight loss in Dragons boilover

At what level does the blowtorch get turned on Kevin Walters with Brisbane’s 2024 premiership marketing campaign in peril of sinking with no hint?

After going so near breaking their premiership drought in final yr’s Grand Ultimate, they’re now wanting like they are going to miss the playoff altogether after stumbling and bumbling to their sixth straight defeat. 

St George Illawarra outmuscled, out-thought and outplayed Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday evening. 

They raced in 4 first-half tries to steer 22-6 on the break earlier than holding out the fast-finishing Broncos 30-26 to present their very own unlikely playoff hopes an almighty increase. 

Brisbane had been lacking Origin stars Patrick Carrigan, Payne Haas, Selwyn Cobbo and Reece Walsh however they had been additionally missing cohesion, dedication and efficient formations in assault and defence. 

The Dragons, who had been with out Ben Hunt and Zac Lomax, continued their season of red-hot performances blended in with some absolute clunkers. 

This was one among their greatest efforts of Shane Flanagan’s first season with winger Christian Tuipolotu cashing on with a hat-trick. 

Left wingers don’t have an amazing observe file in Queensland however politics apart, Tuipolotu crossed twice within the first half and added his third early within the second interval when the guests opened up a close to unassailable 22-point benefit to place the competition to mattress early. 

Boilover in Brisbane

Tuipolotu completed off a left-side attacking raid to attract first blood however Brisbane hit again by way of Billy Walters to place the house facet up 6-4. 

The Dragons equalised when Kyle Flanagan booted a penalty aim after Kotoni Staggs was sin-binned for an expert foul for an apparent ruck infraction following a Jesse Marschke break. 

After Moses Suli rampaged by means of the sting of the ruck for a 10-6 lead, Tuipolotu was fortunate to be awarded his second four-pointer because it seemed like Brisbane’s defenders prevented him from touching down as he slid over the road. 

Brisbane piggybacked the Dragons again upfield from the restart and Jaydn Su’A made it 22-6 when Tristan Sailor fumbled a simple bomb defusal. 

Jaydn Su’A celebrates scoring a strive. (Picture by Albert Perez/Getty Pictures)

Tuipolotu’s third was nothing greater than a glorified coaching drill as Brisbane’s lacklustre edge defence was once more caught flat footed. 

Tries to Ezra Mam, Staggs and Blake Mozer lower the deficit to eight with as many minutes remaining. 

Staggs sprinted his well past our defenders a few minutes from full-time to ship some shudders by means of the Dragons however 4 factors was as shut as they might get.

Broncos on shaky floor  

Brisbane’s sixth straight loss means they’ve sunk to thirteenth spot, sitting alongside Gold Coast on 18 factors. 

They haven’t registered a notch within the wins column since Magic Spherical. 

Origin is a matter however not almost as a lot as their lack of impression. 

They’ve seemed a shadow of their former selves with Adam Reynolds sidelined nursing a bicep rupture however there are not any excuses for a roster that also boasts Ezra Mam, Staggs, Jordan Riki and loads of skilled first-graders. 

Flanagan’s pre-season trick works a deal with

He had barely obtained his ft underneath the teaching desk in the summertime when Flanagan mentioned he was solely involved about 2025. 

He couldn’t have set expectations for this yr any decrease. 

It took the warmth off his gamers who can typically wrestle underneath the burden of expectation that comes with their huge fan base, particularly contemplating this membership has received only one playoff match since their final premiership in 2010. 

They’ve struggled to draw free brokers since Flanagan has come on board however now that he has turned the tide, star gamers will take into account the Dragons a workforce on the up.