The Broncos have snatched victory over the Sharks, scoring a last-play try to defeat Cronulla 20-16 at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
It looked like time was going to slip away for the Broncos before Chelsea Lenarduzzi scored in the 69th minute to nudge Brisbane four points ahead.
A combination of tired and cramping bodies and a botched grubber from Quincy Dodd down the other end allowed the Broncos to build the try from the 20m mark.
Broncos players celebrate their last-minute victory over the Sharks in round 8. NRL Photos
Playing in her 40th NRLW match, Lenarduzzi put her head down and powered to score the match-winner.
“They just completely ran out of gas the Sharks,” Allana Ferguson said in commentary for Nine.
The Broncos struck first in the 4th minute as Lenarduzzi offloaded under pressure to catch out the Sharks’ defence.
Brisbane then moved the ball right, finding rugby convert Stacey Waaka all alone and with space in ahead of her.
Johnston charges over
However the Sharks soon hit back after prop Ellie Johnston muscled her way over.
Johnston charged at the line from close range, shrugging off several Broncos defenders who dared try and hold her up.
The visitors threatened, Brisbane’s line but could not get an offload away with the Broncos’ relentless defence.
Filomina Hanisi looked to have scored against her old side before the Bunker showed the prop fumbled the ball during the put-down.
On the verge of half time, Gayle Broughton took on the line — showcasing footwork and speed — to score and give the Broncos a little breathing room.
At the main break, the Broncos led 10-6 following their strong defensive effort.
Ali Brigginshaw of the Broncos talks with her teammates. Getty
Waaka limped from the field late in the half — the Broncos later confirming she would take no further part in the match after suffering a lower leg fracture.
The Sharks kicked off the scoring in the second half, playing the ball quickly down the short side.
The chain ended with Cassie Staples who dived over in the corner.
Julia Robinson looked to have a sure try as she approached an open line but Georgia Ravics played at her outstretched arm, causing the ball to bobble.
Taking the ball down the other end, Ravics then out-muscled Robinson to gobble up a cross-field kick from Tayla Preston and score.
Sharks five-eighth Emma Tonegato worked hard to get the ball back into play after a bomb from Ali Brigginshaw was spilled backwards.
But the Broncos pushed again as Robinson finally got her try on the left edge.
As Romy Teitzel kicked to level the match, her leg began to cramp causing her to spray the ball.
But it did not matter as the Broncos struck again through Lenarduzzi to edge ahead.
With the result, Brisbane has now won six games on the trot and leapfrog the Sharks on points differentiation to top the league ladder.
