Brisbane Broncos 1993

This is the Brisbane Broncos' sixth New South Wales Rugby League premiership season. They went on to win their second consecutive title in a grand final re-play against the St George Dragons. The Broncos became the first team in history to win the Premiership from fifth position.

eason Summary

After years of dispute with the Lang Park Trust over brewery advertising, Fourex had pouring rights for Lang Park while Powers Brewing was major sponsor of the Broncos. For the 1993 season the Broncos moved to the Council-owned ANZ Stadium, in suburban Nathan.

Signs of a hangover existed with the club losing two of its first three matches, including their debut at the new home ground against the struggling Parramatta Eels. But the Broncos bounced back, beating the Balmain Tigers 50 nil, (the highest winning margin for the club at the time) to establish themselves solidly in the upper echelons of the competition. A last round lapse against St George relegated the Broncos to fifth spot, meaning they had to win four straight elimination games to defend their title.

They went on to demolish the Manly Sea Eagles' defence in a 36-10 romp. Canberra dropped dead with the loss of Ricky Stuart and the Broncos ran roughshod over them with a 30-12 win. Against the Canterbury Bulldogs in the preliminary final, Brisbane were trailing 16-10 at half time, but Allan Langer scored immediately in the second half to level, then potted a field goal to break the dead lock late in the game.

In the grand final, again against the Dragons, the Broncos were victorious once more, this time 14-6. This win was significant because it was the only time a team which had finished 5th in the minor premiership had gone on to win the competition. It was Glenn Lazarus' fifth consecutive grand final appearance, having already played in the previous year's for Brisbane and the three years' before that for Canberra.

Match results

Brisbane 14 (TRIES: Johns, Matterson, Carne; GOALS: Matterson 1/3)

defeated

St George 6 (GOALS: Herron 3/3)

Halftime: Brisbane 10-2

Referee: Greg McCallum

Stadium: Sydney Football Stadium

Crowd: 42,329

Clive Churchill Medal: Brad Mackay (St George)

ee also

*New South Wales Rugby League season 1993
*History of the Brisbane Broncos