Gayle Broughton was the star for the Broncos after scoring a double in her side's important win against a Cronulla side that fought hard to the end.
Brisbane held on to claim a 32-28 win at Townsville's Queensland Country Bank Stadium after letting the Sharks score two quick tries - including a huge 70-metre effort from Emma Tonegato to bring her side within a converted try with only moments left to play.
The victory pushed the Broncos into the top four into third, with four wins, with the Raiders slipping out following their loss earlier in the day against the top-of-the-table Knights.
It was a tight opening to the match with both sides unable to make the most of their chances, before Hayley Maddick opened the scoring for the Broncos with some strong lead-up play, capitalising on some quick play-the-balls.
The Sharks hit back soon after with Ellie Johnston proving too strong close to the line.
Destiny Brill Try
With the players tiring in the heat, errors were a feature of the match, but the Broncos were able to turn things on to close out the first half, with Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala and Broughton, in an impressive individual display, helping guide the side to a 16-10 lead at the break.
The second half began with Julia Robinson crossing to extend the lead for the Broncos, before the Sereana Naitokatoka's try gave the Sharks some hope.
Emma Tonegato Try
The Broncos then seemed to have sealed the match with Destiny Brill going over from dummy half and Broughton getting her second, but the Sharks never gave up with quickfire double to Georgia Ravics in the 63rd minute and Tonegato a minute after keeping things interesting until the end of the match.
Dubbed the most crucial match of Round 7 with the Broncos in fifth spot and two points clear of the next best Sharks, the 'home' side were able to hold on against a late Cronulla fightback to post the important win.
Match: Broncos v Sharks
Round 7 -
home Team
Broncos
4th Position
away Team
Sharks
7th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Match Snapshot
- Broncos captain Ali Brigginshaw was a key cog in her side's win, playing the match despite breaking her nose against the Raiders last week.
- The first of the double header games played at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, the Broncos and Sharks were treated to the North Queensland heat, with the temperature reaching 28 degrees to start the match.
- Coming into this game, both sides were averaging 17 points conceded per game this season.
Georgia Ravics Try
- Brisbane recorded their fourth win of the season to move into the top four
- Sharks five-eighth Emma Tonegato came off the field in the first half with a head knock, but returned to the field in jersey number 22 to start the second half after being cleared following her HIA.
- Cronulla forward Ellie Johnston scored a first-half try, but appeared to injure her leg in the process, however, she also returned to the action in the second half.
Play of the game
The Brisbane halves combined just before halftime to give the Broncos a lead, with Ali Brigginshaw passing to Gayle Broughton who burst through a gap and stepped her way past defenders on her way to score.
Gayle Broughton Try
What They Said
"We put ourselves in a position to win the game and we just didn't get it done in that last little, minute or two. I thought we had some opportunities on their line there where it could have gone our way and we probably just didn't take the right option. But I am very proud of the girls who put themselves in that position to actually win the game, but we just need to be a bit smarter at the end." - Sharks coach Tony Herman
Sharks: Round 7
"It was certainly a finish that we didn't want, we just spoke to the girls about that when you're in that sort of lead, it's really important to put the game away. You can't really switch off against any team in this competition. They're obviously fighting to stay alive in the comp, the Sharks. It's do-or-die for us from here on in, so it was quite the finish, but I would rather finish another way." - Broncos coach Scott Prince
Broncos: Round 7
What's next
Next week, the Sharks will be in action in a rare Thursday night game for the NRLW and will host the St George Illawarra Dragons at PointsBet Stadium.
The Broncos will head to McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle to take on West Tigers to kick off Saturday's NRLW double header at the venue.
