Milford sparks Baby Broncos

Anthony Milford added some much needed spark to an Origin depleted Broncos side to secure an extremely valuable 31-18 victory over Newcastle in front of 12,673 fans at Hunter Stadium.

The Knights lead at halftime 18-10 and looked to be in control of the match, however the Broncos came out of the sheds a different side after the break and blew the Knights away scoring 21 unanswered points.

Anthony Milford was terrific for Brisbane and continually put Jack Reid and Corey Oates into space on the left hand side of the field. Milford was ably assisted by fullback Jordan Kahu who sparked the Broncos from the kickoff after halftime, taking the ball on the full he sliced through putting Brisbane in great field position which allowed Milford to throw a great pass for Jack Reid who crashed over for his second try of the night.

A Joseph Leilua knock on then allowed the Broncos into their own half and they capitalized when Andrew McCullough dummied his way over in the 47th minute.

Newcastle continued to make too many errors and when Korbin Sims spilt the ball trying to get an offload away in good field position, Milford put Jack Reid away yet again and he positioned winger Corey Oates into space who ran over the top of Newcastle fullback Dane Gagai on his way to the line.

Jordan Kahu who took over the kicking duties at halftime from halfback Ben Hunt made it 4 from 4 when he kicked a penalty in the 65th minute and Anthony Milford iced the game with a field goal with four minutes to go to complete a remarkable turn around from the young Broncos side.

Newcastle suffered their first defeat at home this season and will wonder how they managed to lose their way after completing 16 from 18 sets in the first half.

While Anthony Milford opened the scoring in the 4th minute, Newcastle were in control thanks to tries from Korbin Sims and Tyler Randall before Joseph Leilua reached out for a try in the 26th minute to lead 18-6.

Jack Reid then pick pocketed a grubber from Ben Hunt out of the grasp of Anthony Milford to keep Brisbane within striking distance at halftime.

Whatever Wayne Bennett said to the team at halftime worked, because the Broncos blew the Knights off the park in what may prove to be a crucial 2 points for Brisbane making this years finals series.

Looking ahead, the Broncos head to Canberra on Saturday evening for a showdown with the Raiders, while Newcastle will cross the Tasman on Sunday for a clash with the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium.

Match Details

Newcastle Knights 18 Brisbane Broncos 31
Venue: Hunter Stadium
Crowd: 12673
Halftime Score: Newcastle Knights 18 Brisbane Broncos 10

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (18)
Tries: Tyler Randell, Korbin Sims, Joseph Leilua
Conversions: Tyrone Roberts (3/3)

BRISBANE BRONCOS (31)
Tries: Anthony Milford, Jack Reed (2), Andrew McCullough, Corey Oates
Field Goals: Anthony Milford (1/1)
Conversions: Ben Hunt (1/2), Jordan Kahu (3/3)
Penalty Goals: Jordan Kahu (1/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Anthony Milford
2 points - Jordan Kahu
1 point - Andrew McCullough

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to Hunter Stadium where Newcastle host the Brisbane Broncos. Wayne Bennett returns to Newcastle for the first time since leaving the club in 2014.

Brisbane have lost centre Dale Copley which sees a backline re-shuffle with Jordan Kahu moving to the centres and Lachlan Maranta moves into fullback. Corey Oates comes onto the wing with Aaron Whitchurch coming into the 17.

Newcastle have lost the experienced Jeremy Smith tonight and he is replaced by Korbin Sims and Paterika Vaivai comes onto the bench.

Newcastle are hot favourites tonight due to the Broncos missing 5 players to State of Origin on Wednesday night. The Broncos halves in Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt have been in good form and will be the key if the Broncos are to cause an upset.

Late change for Newcastle, Joseph Tapine is out and veteran Clint Newton comes in.

Chris Houston will start the game in jersey #15.

1: We are underway in Newcastle!

2: Penalty Brisbane, Knights not getting back the 10. Broncos with the first attacking opportunity of the game.

4: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
James McManus makes an unforced error.
McManus knocks down a pass trying to shut down David Stagg. Another chance for Brisbane.

4: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Anthony Milford. Kick to come.
Milford gets Brisbane off to a great start busting out of 2 tackles to score. Kick to come.

4: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Ben Hunt successful.
Hunt makes no mistake. 6-0 Brisbane.

6: Newcastle go for a bomb to end their set close to their end, but Lachlan Maranta makes no mistake.

7: Penalty Newcastle first one of the night. Knights cross halfway on the second tackle.

8: Another penalty Knights. Some enterprising play from Gagai and Uate. Newcastle on the attack.

10: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Tyler Randell. Kick to come.
Knights are on the board. Controversial try, seemed to be a knock on by Snowden before he offloaded but the video ref says try.

10: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Tyrone Roberts successful.
Roberts picks up the 2 points. All locked up at 6 a piece.

11: Third penalty for the Knights and Newcastle are on the attack 30m out.

13: Daniel Vidot takes a bomb unchallenged and its the Broncos with the ball from their 22.

15: Great kick from Kurt Gidley and the Knights force Vidot in goal.

17: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Korbin Sims. Kick to come.
Korbin Sims muscles his way over 3 Broncos tacklers. Pretty soft try.

17: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Tyrone Roberts successful.
Roberts makes no mistake. 12-6 Newcastle.

19: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Kade Snowden makes an unforced error.
Snowden drops it after a strong tackle from David Stagg. Chance for the Broncos to attack the line.

21: Newcastle kick out of danger. Superb kick from Randall has the Broncos working out of their own half.

22: Break from Maranta and Jack Reed is tackled 10m out. Uate diffuses a cross kick and Knights are off the hook.

24: Great take by Lachlan Maranta under pressure from Leilua.

26: Tyrone Roberts slices through and is brought down 15m out. Knights looking dangerous.

26: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Joseph Leilua. Kick to come.
Leilua hits the line and reaches out for a meat pie. Knights 16-6 kick to come.

28: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Tyrone Roberts successful.
3 from 3 for Roberts. Knights 18 lead Brisbane 6.

30: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Anthony Milford makes an unforced error.
Forward pass from Milford. This could hurt, Knights ball 25m out.

31: Knights force a drop out and get another set.

34: Beautiful hands from Anthony Milford puts Jack Reid away but he is shut down by Dane Gagai in cover.

35: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Chad Redman makes an unforced error.
Forward pass from dummy half. Brisbane scrum 40m out.

37: Broncos get 6 more tackles after forcing former Bronco Dane Gagai back in goal.

38: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Jack Reed. Kick to come.
Grubber from Hunt sees Jack Reid score pinching it mid air from Anthony Milford. Crucial play before halftime. 18-10 Newcastle. Kick to come.

38: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Ben Hunt unsuccessful.
Hunt misses, not a good kick. Score remains 18-10 Newcastle.

40: Halftime at Hunter Stadium sees Newcastle lead 18-10. Newcastle have the lead and have taken their chances when close to the line. Brisbane are playing well and Anthony Milford in particular has looked very dangerous, he and halves partner Ben Hunt have kept Brisbane in touch. For Newcastle, both the Sims brothers have been strong and their completion rate is currently 16/18. Tyrone Roberts has made a few busts and Dane Gagai has also looked likely. Very good 40 minutes coming up, Brisbane must score first in this half to give the young side some confidence, but its Newcastle currently in control leading 18-10 at halftime.

40: And we are back in action!

41: Jordan Kahu bursts through from the kick off and puts Brisbane in great position.

41: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Jack Reed. Kick to come.
Reid gets his second! Great ball Milford. What a start!

42: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Jordan Kahu successful.
Jordan Kahu takes over the kicking and drills it over. 18-16 to Newcastle.

43: Penalty Brisbane. Houston hits Glenn high and Newcastle under pressure again. What did Wayne say to them at halftime!

44: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Joseph Leilua makes an unforced error.
Leilua knocks down the ball going for an intercept. 6 more Broncos. Huge chance to take the lead.

45: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Andrew McCullough. Kick to come.
Andrew McCullough dummies and goes from dummy half and crashes over. Broncos hit the lead!

46: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Jordan Kahu successful.
Kahu has the kicking boots on. Broncos 22 Knights 18. Superb start to the second half.

48: Newcastle finally get the ball in the second half and the tempo has picked up in this match.

52: Jordan Kahu has moved back to fullback and is having a great second half.

53: Skipper Kurt Gidley has a leg injury and is iced up and won't be back. Big blow Knights.

55: Dane Gagai makes a bust and is pulled down by the Broncos. Knights on the attack.

56: Penalty Brisbane. Fa'longo takes Kahu without the ball. Silly penalty.

57: All kicks have gone to Uate's wing in the second half. He makes no mistake though.

58: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Lachlan Maranta makes an unforced error.
3rd forward pass from dummy half for the game. Knights have a big chance to hit back here.

58: Kodi Nikorima looks to have done a medial ligament in his knee and is being assisted from the field. he has looked dangerous since coming on. Bad news for Broncos.

58: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Korbin Sims makes an unforced error.
Sims spills it trying to offload on the second tackle. Huge error from the knights.

60: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Corey Oates. Kick to come.
Jack Reid busts open and puts Corey Oates away who powers over Dane Gagai to score. Big unit can't be stopped. Broncos 26-18, kick to come.

61: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Jordan Kahu successful.
Jordan Kahu nails his 3rd goal from 3 attempts. Brisbane on fire! Lead 28-18

63: Daniel Vidot spills a towering bomb but ruled to knocked it back. Lucky call.

65: Jordan Kahu strides away and is pulled down by Tariq Sims and is penalised for holding on too long. Penalty right in front for Brisbane.

65: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL BRISBANE BRONCOS
Penalty goal attempt by Jordan Kahu successful.
Kahu 4 from 4. Brisbane 30 Newcastle 18. They haven't turned up the Knights!

67: Milford puts Reid away again, who finds Oates, Gagai makes a strong tackle this time round.

68: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Joseph Leilua makes an unforced error.
Leilua spills it on the 4th. Terrible from the Knights.

69: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Alex Glenn makes an unforced error.
Alex Glenn tries to offload close to the line and knocks on. Knights off the hook.

71: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Tyrone Roberts makes an unforced error.
Roberts miskicks one and knocks on. Newcastle have lost their way.

72: Penalty Knights. Stagg holds onto Uate too long. Strong run from Uate.

73: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Jack Stockwell makes an unforced error.
Stockwell knocks on, Knights were in good field position. Their completion rate has plummeted.

74: Great kick from Andrew McCullough, gives his troops a spell by finding touch. Knights work it out from their own end.

76: Superb take from Jordan Kahu diffusing a dangerous bomb, has been a star in the second half.

76: SUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL BRISBANE BRONCOS
Field goal attempt by Anthony Milford successful.
Beautiful shot from Milford. Ices the game.

78: Leilua bursts through and is cut down centimetres from the line. Great tackle Lachlan Maranta after being palmed off.

80: Fulltime at Hunter Stadium. Its the Brisbane Broncos winning 31-18 and gaining a valuable 2 points on the competition ladder despite missing 6 players. Brisbane came out a different side in the second half and blew the Knights away.