As regular programming returned to AAMI Park, the Storm defeated the Broncos 34-32 to begin Round 5—although they were pushed hard throughout a thrilling, back-and-forth game.
The most significant event of the evening, though, was the loss of Broncos captain Adam Reynolds, who was declared out of the game at halftime due to a suspected hamstring strain and did not return for the second half.
Reynolds was in excellent form with the boot in the first half, building on his spectacular performance last week against the Cowboys. If Reynolds is sidelined for an extended amount of time, it will be a major setback to the Broncos.
Both teams scored three tries apiece in a frantic first half of rugby league, with Nick Meaney’s botched conversion attempt giving the visitors an 18-16 advantage at the half.
The Broncos’ first score came against the flow of play when Ezra Mam, a five-eighth, stole a Storm ball and ran to create space, finally setting up Deine Mariner for the game’s first try.
The Storm answered quickly, as Eliesa Katoa made his first of two halftime attempts by smashing over.
The Broncos went back-to-back with Mam crossing after a great kick infield from Jesse Arthars, who was then rewarded with his own try. Xavier Coates then continued to impress the AAMI Park crowd, which tonight totaled 20,638. Coates’ try involved leaping head and shoulders above Mariner and Kotoni Staggs to bring down a targeted Jahrome Hughes kick.
