The Broncos have got their premiership defence back on track after a thrilling come-from-behind victory over the Storm in the grand final rematch in Melbourne.
Trailing 14-0 at half time, the Broncos put the blowtorch back on the hosts in the second 40, and lead 18-14 before the halfway mark of the second half.
When they hit the lead through Kotoni Staggs just shy of the hour mark, the Broncos had double the possession of the Storm.
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The Storm then looked to have the better of the Broncos as the clock wound down, but unlike the first half, the Broncos defence proved impenetrable.
The Broncos have got their campaign back on track after a thrilling win over the Storm. Getty
In commentary for Nine, Andrew Johns said it was a “huge” win for the reigning premiers, having lost their opening two games.
“Under all sorts of pressure. Coach Michael Maguire has just been getting pizzled, the first two or three weeks of the season, every day,” he said.
“His senior players have stood up in this second half.”
The Broncos social media team captioned their post-game score graphic simply “All bite” – weighing in on a pre-game feud between Reece Walsh and Stefano Utoikamanu.
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Speaking to Nine after the match, Kotoni Staggs said the win was a reminder the team hadn’t “lost (their) talent”.
“We knew what we had to do (at half time) to fix it up … I think we had 50 per cent of the ball in the first half, we just had to stop giving them easy way out of their half,” he said.
“We spoke through the week this would be another tough one on the road. The boys just turned up.
“This is a good reminder we haven’t lost our talent, but we need to fix some things up with our defence and our errors.”
Jordan Riki crossed for the Broncos’ first only minutes after the break, and then made it a double 10 minutes later.
Staggs then put the premiers in front in the 58th. Reece Walsh was perfect with the boot, nailing three from three.
But there might yet be some pain to come out of the victory. Staggs was put on report in the dying minutes for a high shot on Moses Leo.
Kotoni Staggs was put on report for a high shot on Moses Leo. Nine
Earlier, Sua Faalogo crossed to get the Storm on the board after 20 minutes, before Harry Grant took the kick after an injury scare to Nick Meaney. The Storm winger had moments earlier copped a rogue knee to the hip.
Meaney was surging for the try line when Grant Anderson wrapped him in a tackle.
Staggs then entered the fray to try and force Meaney into touch when his knee sconed Meaney in the hip.
When Faalogo scored moments later, the first signs of concern appeared when Grant took the kick instead of Meaney.
Nick Meaney copped a Kotoni Staggs knee to the hip. Nine
On Nine’s coverage, Billy Slater said copping a blow to the hip pointer could make running difficult.
“I saw the trainer rubbing his hip pointer … if you get caught there, it’s really hard to run,” he said.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes off looking for a pain-killing injection.”
Replays showed Meaney trying to stretch it out by rotating his pelvis and hips.
“He’s in pain. He looks like he wants to be on the toilet,” Brad Fittler added.
Meaney stayed on the ground, and was seen trying to run out the pain.
Joe Chan crossed on the stroke of half time to stretch the Storm’s lead, and it looked as if the Storm would have the momentum into the second half.
The win leaves the Dragons, Cowboys, Titans and Sea Eagles as the only clubs yet to notch a win.