Anthony Milford, Kodi Nikorima produce playmaking masterclass

[Ulquiorra]

DYLAN Napa is facing a lengthy suspension after knocking Broncos hooker Andrew McCullough senseless as Brisbane upstaged the Roosters 22-8 to rock the NRL premiership race.

It was déjà vu at Allianz Stadium after Napa produced a carbon-copy tackle of the controversial headclash which shattered the jaw of Broncos prop Korbin Sims in Round 11.

Napa escaped suspension over the Sims tackle, but he is unlikely to be so lucky this time after NRL boss Todd Greenberg admitted he should have been charged last time.

The Napa incident overshadowed a terrific win for the Broncos against the NRL’s second-placed heavyweights which proved Brisbane could do some serious damage in the looming finals.

Whatever coach Wayne Bennett cooked at his infamous barbecue a fortnight ago has seemed to click the Broncos into gear.

A win against cellar dwellers Manly at next Sunday’s final round clash at Suncorp Stadium could catapult Brisbane into fifth or sixth spot on the ladder and deliver the Broncos a home final.

If results go Brisbane’s way the Broncos could even sneak into the top four, although that seems unlikely.

The Broncos have beaten top four outfits South Sydney and Sydney in the past fortnight after losing to bottom four teams Canterbury and North Queensland.

Bennett may have finally struck gold in his search for consistency and it couldn’t have come at a better time with Brisbane facing the prospect of having to win four finals to claim the club’s first NRL title since 2006.

Napa’s sickening collision with Queensland Origin teammate McCullough left the Broncos without a hooker for 56 minutes, but Brisbane did not miss a beat despite missing their super consistent No. 9.

Halves Anthony Milford and Kodi Nikorima produced a playmaking masterclass, essentially kicking the Roosters out of the contest.

Brisbane’s improving defence was also watertight for much of the contest, holding the Roosters try-less for 67 minutes.

Corey Oates scored his 14th try of the season to get Brisbane on the board before fellow winger Jamayne Isaako bamboozled Roosters opposite Daniel Tupou on the other side of the field to give his side a 14-8 lead.

A mistake by Tupou gifted Kodi Nikorima an easy four-pointer on the cusp of half-time which saw Brisbane take a 20-8 lead into the break.

The second half was a war of attrition, but the Broncos held solid to notch their 14th win and hit their straps at the business end of the season.

BRISBANE 22 (J Isaako K Nikorima C Oates tries J Isaako 5 goals) bt SYDNEY ROOSTERS 8 (B Ferguson try L Mitchell 2 goals) at Allianz Stadium. Referee: Gerard Sutton, Peter Gough. Crowd: 13,263