Storm end Broncos Minor Premiership charge

The Melbourne Storm have ended the Broncos' Minor Premiership chances after a 15-8 victory at Suncorp Stadium tonight in front of 44,015 fans.

The Broncos made the early running but the Storm were able to peg them back and turn the momentum in their favour however it was the Broncos who took the early lead when Corey Parker slotted a penalty goal for the homeside to take an early 2-0 lead.

The Storm then hit back with the first of two tries to Kurt Mann but with the missed conversion it was 4-2. The Broncos then levelled the scores again through another penalty goal and then on the stroke of halftime Will Chambers crossed the line but needed it to be confirmed by the Video Refs and it was done so which gave the Storm an 8-4 lead at halftime.

The second half was a dour affair with the Broncos not being able to make the most of a growing penalty count in their favour and a large amount of possession on the Storm line in the second half, instead it was the Storm who were able to make the running even though they only won the second half 7-4.

The only Storm try of the second half was the second of Kurt Mann's double after Lachlan Maranta was out challenged by Tohu Harris and after needing confirmation that Harris didn't get a touch on it, the Storm went out to a 14-4 lead.

The Broncos then hit back to close the gap to 6 when Jack Reed scored in the corner after some good work by Justin Hodges to keep the ball alive, conversion was missed meaning that the gap was 6.

Finally to seal victory Cooper Cronk slotted a field goal to put the margin out to 7 and fend off any comeback from the homeside.

Next week the Broncos are now locked in to host the Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium (date/time to be confirmed), while the Storm could finish 4th or 5th depending on the Sharks' Sunday showdown with Manly. The former would see them play minor premiers the Roosters at Allianz Stadium, while a 5th-placed finish will see them host the Dragons at AAMI Park.

Match Details

Brisbane Broncos 8 Melbourne Storm 15
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Crowd: 44015
Halftime Score: Brisbane Broncos 4 Melbourne Storm 8

BRISBANE BRONCOS (8)
Tries: Jack Reed
Conversions: Corey Parker (0/1)
Penalty Goals: Corey Parker (2/2)

MELBOURNE STORM (15)
Tries: Kurt Mann (2), Will Chambers
Field Goals: Cooper Cronk (1/1)
Conversions: Cameron Smith (1/3)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Cameron Munster
2 points - Kurt Mann
1 point - Sam Thaiday

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to Thursday night footy! Big clash for both sides - the Broncos need a win to snare an unlikely minor premiership - then rely on the Roosters falling over against the Rabbitohs tomorrow night. The Storm can enhance their chances of a top four spot with a perceived upset here tonight as well - so it's all on the line.

Earlier in Holden Cup the Storm sprung an upset going into the finals over the 3rd placed Broncos - the 11th placed Melbourne side were 48-12 victors, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad scoring five tries.

LATE MAIL is in for both sides, and a couple of minor changes from the sides named just 48 hours ago. Brisbane will be without Ben Hunt, meaning debutant Ash Taylor comes in at halfback. There's also a bench shuffle with David Stagg starting in the second row.Jarrod Wallace reverts to the bench. For Melbourne, Tim Glasby does the same meaning Jordan McLean will start at prop.

Cameron Smith leads the Storm out on to Suncorp Stadium - Storm can move into the top 4 with the win tonight... but depends on the Sharks on Sunday

Jared Maxwell calls time on and we are underway at Suncorp, Broncos using the ball first

1: Good first set from the Broncos with Ash Taylor finding touch just over the 20m line

3: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Anthony Milford makes an unforced error.
Anthony Milford loses the ball after a pass goes to his ankles and he can't pick it up

4: Repeat set for the Storm after a wall defenders stopped Anthony Milford from getting into the field of play... subsequent dropout from Taylor goes 60m

5: Cooper Cronk kicks flat across field and Kurt Mann can't take it and the Broncos are working it from their own line

10: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL BRISBANE BRONCOS
Penalty goal attempt by Corey Parker successful.
Corey Parker slots the penalty goal and Broncos take an early lead

15: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Andrew McCullough makes an unforced error.
Andrew McCullough loses the ball at the back of the scrum, Storm survive

18: Big missed opportunity for the Broncos after creating an overlap but turning it back to the middle sees the Storm survive

19: Brilliant call from Jared Maxwell there ruling that the Broncos defender was trapped ingoal with the ball just touching the line for the dropout

20: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Kurt Mann. Kick to come.
Kurt Mann goes through some bad defence from the Broncos and scores after a good set up from Cooper Cronk

24: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM
Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith unsuccessful.
Cameron Smith misses the conversion and the gap goes stays at 2

25: Cameron Munster lets the bomb bounce and the Storm get a 20m restart

28: Storm making great metres in the set and infact they go 90m and get a repeat set

30: UNFORCED ERROR MELBOURNE STORM
Will Chambers makes an unforced error.
Will Chambers loses the ball in a covering tackle as Ashley Taylor is injured

33: PENALTY BRONCOS: Cooper Cronk is penalised for having a double dip at the tackle and Broncos walk upfield

37: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL BRISBANE BRONCOS
Penalty goal attempt by Corey Parker successful.
Corey Parker slots the penalty to level the scores

38: PENALTY STORM: Anthony Milford is penalised for "rubbish on the head" aka facials

39: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Will Chambers. Kick to come.
Will Chambers slides through to score a much needed try for the Storm right on the stroke of halftime

40: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM
Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith unsuccessful.
Cameron Smith pushes the conversion wide and there is no chance to the score

41: So after a delay on the first tackle play resumes smoothly

43: Crossfield kick is well read by Corey Oates and he takes a comfortable catch

46: UNFORCED ERROR MELBOURNE STORM
Matt Duffie makes an unforced error.
An awful pass from the Broncos is dropped by Matt Duffie and the Broncos go on the attack again

48: Repeat set for the Broncos and they go on the attack and pass the 20m line

49: Beautiful ball movement from the Broncos but touch judge Steve Carrall puts the flag up after Corey Oates had his foot on the sideline when taking the pass

51: Repeat after Lachlan Maranta is trapped ingoal after fumbling a kick from Cameron Munster

53: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Kurt Mann. Kick to come.
Kurt Mann gets the green lights and the Storm extend their lead.... replays showed that no touch from Tohu Harris

54: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM
Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Cameron Smith slots the conversion

59: Storm are taking control of this one now coming up to the hour mark... Broncos not making too much ground and have no answers

62: UNFORCED ERROR MELBOURNE STORM
Marika Koroibete makes an unforced error.
Marika Koroibete ruled to have played the ball too quickly by Jared Maxwell and Broncos have the scrum 12m out

63: PENALTY BRONCOS: Brisbane get their 8th penalty and they get another set on the Storm line

64: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Jack Reed. Kick to come.
So much pressure finally pays off after Justin Hodges used his experience to hold the ball up drag defenders in and set Jack Reed up in the corner

65: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Corey Parker unsuccessful.
Corey Parker has missed the conversion so 6 point ball game

69: Glasby throws an offload that ends up at the feet of touch judge Chris Sutton

71: SUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL MELBOURNE STORM
Field goal attempt by Cooper Cronk successful.
Cooper Cronk slots a 4th tackle field goal to push the margin out to 7

73: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Anthony Milford makes an unforced error.
Anthony Milford drops a pass and the Storm survive that raid

76: Cooper Cronk finds touch and the Broncos have a scrum on their own 10m line

77: UNFORCED ERROR MELBOURNE STORM
Cameron Munster makes an unforced error.
Cameron Munster drops a bomb and the Broncos have a last ditch chance

77: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Sam Thaiday makes an unforced error.
Sam Thaiday loses the ball in a strong tackle.... and that will end the Broncos outside chances

79: The Storm find touch and the Broncos work it from their own 10m line with 30 seconds left