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Dragons mount more pressure on Broncos after incredible comeback win
Sam Kosack • May 18th, 2025 6:20 pm
The Dragons have recorded an important 30-20 win over the Brisbane Broncos, only heaping more pressure on Brisbane coach Michael Maguire as the home side slip out of the top eight.
The Dragons showed immense resilience 12-0 down after 30 minutes to win the game, thanks in part to a contender for team try of the year and an 80-metre Jacob Liddle intercept.
Michael Maguire’s training regime has been under scrutiny all week with reports of unsettled players ultimately leading to Martin Taupau’s departure after he liked a social media post critical of Maguire.
Pat Carrigan's Origin availability may be in doubt after a reported jaw injury during the contest, while Dragons' youngster Dylan Egan suffered a suspected ACL injury.
Meanwhile, Ezra Mam starred in his return to first grade, showing he still has a long future as a long-term Broncos' half despite the presence of both Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt in the side.
Here’s SEN’s ‘Set of Six’ big talking points out of the game:
Ezra stars in return
Ben Hunt’s injury last week paved the way for Ezra Mam’s first grade return after his nine-week off-season suspension. Any questions around his readiness to return were quickly dispelled as he showed silky footwork to set up Gehamat Shibasaki for the first try, albeit with a dubious pass at its end.
It wasn’t long before the Broncos faithful were cheering Mam again as he crossed for a try of his own soon after, before Mam kept the Broncos in the contest with two try assists at crucial moments in the match, including Jesse Arthars’ 77th minute spectacle.
It all but solidifies his place in the Broncos’ starting halves, meaning upon Ben Hunt’s return, he will likely shift to hooker.
Madge’s training to come under more scrutiny
Michael Maguire was brought to the Broncos in the off-season to instill a ‘hard edge’ in a Brisbane side accused of coasting by on speed and talent in previous years.
The Broncos’ hot start to the season coincided with praise for the toughness Maguire had brought, but as the Broncos began accumulating losses, questions began to mount over whether Maguire’s methods weren’t gelling with the current Broncos’ squad.
The loss to the Dragons will only further increase criticisms, and with one player already released for expressing thoughts around Maguire’s coaching, rumours of unrest may only grow.
Courageous Dragons have top eight material
There aren’t many road trips harder than Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium. Let alone coming back when you’re 12 points down. But this is season 2025 in the NRL, where seemingly any comeback is possible, and the Dragons showed they believe they’re top eight material, and they certainly are.
The Dragons lost youngster Dylan Egan to a suspected ACL injury early in the match and yet managed to stay in the fight. Their courage can be exemplified by one moment from their co-captain Clint Gutherson, where he, with two minutes remaining, managed to pull down a rampaging Payne Haas a metre from the try line all by himself.
There’s plenty to work on for the Dragons, but Shane Flanagan has to be happy with the grit his side showed at the death.
Cobbo and Carrigan send injury scare through Queensland camp
On the eve of Origin team announcements, Selwyn Cobbo and Pat Carrigan have sent an injury scare through the Queensland camp.
Pat Carrigan suffered a reported jaw injury in the match, however the severity is yet to be confirmed. If a broken jaw, it would rule Carrigan out of the start of the series at least, and place the whole series in doubt.
Cobbo was moved out to the wing during the match, reportedly struggling with a wrist injury. However, he did play the full 80 minutes, but as Billy Slater settles on a winger, likely out of Cobbo and the Cowboys’ Murray Taulagi, it’s a decision he wouldn’t want made for him.
Jacob Liddle needs a start somewhere in the NRL
Dragons’ hooker Jacob Liddle was a standout in the match, scoring an important try against the run of play while they were down to 12 men.
Pouncing on a loose ball, Liddle sprinted 80m down field, beating would be chasers to give his side the lead for the first time in the game.
Liddle is currently starting on the bench, stuck behind former Blues hooker Damien Cook, and is off contract at the end of the year. With his strong running game, he would make an astute pick-up for a number of clubs needing spark out of dummy half, particularly given its importance in the modern game.
Payne Haas primed for big Origin series
It might not have been the Broncos’ day, but Payne Haas was as outstanding as ever, proving why he is one of the automatic picks for the Blues in this State of Origin series.
Haas ran for 174 metres, made 38 tackles, had seven tackle breaks, and a line break in 55 minutes, almost winning the game for the Broncos in the final minute.
Now 25 years old, Payne Haas will need to emerge as the leader of this Blues pack if the Blues are to retain the shield, likely matching up against teammate Pat Carrigan.
