Newcastle were four minutes away from a massive upset at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday but for a stunning flick pass from Ezra Mam to set up his skipper Adam Reynolds for the Broncos' match-winning try.
However, the play was set up 30 metres down the field when Kobe Hetherington took an offload from Pat Carrigan, stepped defenders Adam Elliott and Tyson Gamble, threw an offload back inside to a supporting Reynolds, who in turn found Mam who then returned the favour to help his halfback finish the game strongly.
While Hetherington only played 16 minutes, he made them count and did his bit to help Brisbane continue their winning ways and remain at the top of the competition ladder.
“I just saw a bit of a space and I just pinned my head through it and was lucky enough to get the pass away to Reyno and him and Ezra did their magic," Hetherington told media after the game.
Reynolds and Mam clone Alfie and Kevvie
“(Ezra is) freaky. I think he (did a similar pass) earlier in the year against Eels too.
“He doesn't really practice it, but I think it just comes natural to him, he just loves playing footy and yeah, he's just a freak.”
Reynolds was full of praise for Hetherington's contribution to setting up the try, which helped ensure the Broncos go into their first bye of the season on a high.
Match: Broncos v Knights
Round 15 -
home Team
Broncos
1st Position
away Team
Knights
14th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
“Initially I wanted it off the dummy half, but it went the other way ... but I saw a bit of space and started calling for the ball and Kobe’s got some great feet, (and) moves well for a big fellow," Reynolds said.
"He’s always a chance of poking his nose through and saw a bit of space there and pushed up on his inside and (I was) lucky enough he heard me and got the ball to me and my little mate Ezra was lurking in the middle.
“Thought he was going to get across the line, but they swarmed him, so just happened to be there in support, which was good.”
For the Broncos, the play was just another example of a change of mindset this year, where they are competing for the full 80 and can absorb the pressure when things are not going their way, as was the case for much of the game against a gutsy Knights side.
In recent seasons, the early pressure would have been too much to handle, but this year with more experience under their belt, the Broncos have on most occasions been able to find a way to win.
“It was a bit of a scrappy game, but, we're finding ways to win this year, which is always a good sign of a good team," Hetherington said.
Adam Reynolds kick and chase sets up Cobbo try
“It wasn't our best game, but if we build on that, we’ll just keep going forward.
“(The turnaround from the tough times to top-of-the-table) is unreal. Everyone wants to win, you don't want to be a loser in the dressing sheds.
"It's always good to have a winning dressing shed and creates good culture and that's what we've got going on."
The Broncos will sit out Round 16 with the first of their three byes and return to action in Round 17 when they host the Gold Coast Titans at Suncorp Stadium.
Match: Broncos v Titans
Round 17 -
home Team
Broncos
1st Position
away Team
Titans
10th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
