As it happened: Eels topple Broncos in attacking feast

The Eels have continued their strong run of results at Suncorp Stadium, taking down the Broncos 40-32 in an entertaining contest.

The win - their fifth at the venue in their past six starts - came on the back of a destructive performance from stand-in second rower Kelma Tuilagi and excellent efforts across the spine, with Mitch Moses, Jonah Pezet and Isaiah Iongi leading the attacking frenzy.

The Broncos looked on song early, crossing twice in the first 10 minutes and leading 20-6 after 26 minutes.

The home side let the Eels back in the contest with errors and penalties and they were made to pay, conceding the lead to face a two-point deficit at half-time.

The Eels maintained their composure in the second-half and capitalised on the Broncos being unable to handle a series of Jonah Pezet grubber kicks, leading to tries that sealed the win for the Jason Ryles coached side.

Broncos v Eels at Suncorp Stadium

Breakout: Jonah Pezet bounced back from a difficult Eels debut last week to show off his attacking prowess against the team he will join in 2027. Pezet had three try assists and two line break assists to go with his two tries, while missing just one tackle in defence.

Key stat: After an outstanding first 20 minutes, the Broncos fell back into the bad habits that cost them in Round 1. Despite having an 81 per cent completion rate, the home side still made 12 errors (to Eels five) and conceded eight penalties (to Eels three), regularly needing to defend back-to-back sets and the Eels took full advantage.

Full-time: The Eels take home their fifth win in their past six starts at Suncorp Stadium, leaving the defending premiers the Broncos winless after two games. The home side had a hot start, taking a 20-6 lead in the first half-hour, before the Eels scored three tries in five minutes to be in front at half-time. The Broncos fought back to lead 32-28 midway through the second half, but conceded two tries off Jonah Pezet kicks to go down in front of 39,015 fans.

79 min: The Eels seal it through Jonah Pezet! The Broncos once again fail to clean up a grubber from the five-eighth, who was knocked to ground initially, but still had time to jump to his feet and ground the bouncing ball. Mitch Moses converts the try. Eels 40-32.

77 min: The Broncos throw the ball wide early after turning away the Eels on their own line, but plays breaks down on half way.

74 min: After the two teams trade completed sets in an unusually settled period of the game, the Broncos find space in the left to make their way down the field. Ezra Mam tries a chip and chase on last tackle, but Isaiah Iongi cleans it up and escapes his in-goal. Play stops as trainers tend to Adam Reynolds, who is clutching a rib, and he leaves the field.

Crowd: 39,015

69 min: The Eels are back in front! The Broncos fail to clean up another Jonah Pezet grubber after back-to-back Eels sets, leaving Sean Russell to dot down in the corner. Mitch Moses converts from the sideline. Eels 34-32.

62 min: Reece Walsh scores from a chip and chase a few plays after Kotoni Staggs races away off the back of an Isaiah Iongi error on attack. Adam Reynolds converts from adjacent the posts. Broncos 32-28. 

59 min: Kotoni Staggs is penalised and placed on report for a lifting tackle on Jonah Pezet, putting the Eels in the red zone. Adam Reynolds almost snares an intercept in the following set. Ben Talty has passed his HIA and will return.

56 min: The Eels threaten to break through after an enterprising set after points, but Ben Hunt shuts it down with a charge down. Hunt finishes the ensuing set with a kick into touch.

54 min: Mitch Moses kicks a penalty goal to put the Eels in the lead after a penalty in the scrum following an Ezra Mam knock on at the end of the Eels previous set. Eels 28-26.

49 min: Aublix Tawha gives away a penalty after an off-the-ball shove on Dylan Walker to put the Eels on the attack, but Jonah Pezet makes an error early in the set to hand the ball back.

45 min: Kotoni Staggs scores his second try off an Ezra Mam grubber after Adam Reynolds is pressured on last tackle. The Broncos made a break down the left wing through Ezra Mam and Reece Walsh to earn their shot at the Eels line. Reynolds converts to level the scores. Broncos 26-Eels 26.

42 min: Isaiah Iongi extends the lead for the Eels with a try in the corner the set after Reece Walsh has an airswing attempting to field a Mitch Moses bomb. Moses misses the conversion attempt from the sideline. Eels 26-20.

Half-time: The Eels take an incredible 22-20 lead into the break, fighting back from a 20-6 deficit after 26 minutes. The Broncos dominated the opening exchanges, completing set after set and threatening the defensive line on multiple occasions. But the Broncos began inviting the visitors back into the contest through ill-discipline and the Eels took advantage, scoring three tries in the space of five minutes to turn the match on its head. The Broncos have lost Jack Gosiewski for the game after failed HIA, while Jack Williams passed a HIA after a first half collision.

39 min: Deine Mariner finds open space within sight of the try line, but the floating Adam Reynolds pass is called forward.

37 min: The Eels take the lead! Isaiah Iongi squeezes between defenders and drags Gehamat Shibasaki over to score, invited up the field after the Broncos give away a yardage penalty. Mitchell Moses converts. Eels 22-20.

34 min: The Eels score again through Kelma Tuilagi off a Jonah Pezet assist, following the Broncos kicking dead on the full off the kickoff. Mitch Moses misses with the conversion. Broncos 20-16.

31 min: Following a set restart to the Eels, Ryley Smith scores after Payne Haas fails to clean up a Jonah Pezet grubber, a play after Isaiah Iongi came close to breaking through. Mitch Moses converts. Broncos 20-12.

26 min: Payne Haas runs through a yawning gap off a Pat Carrigan short ball to score, off the back of a Kitione Kautoga error. Adam Reynolds converts. Broncos 20-0.

21 min: The Broncos get on the attack again and Ezra Mam grounds a loose ball following a Adam Reynolds kick. Kotoni Staggs knocks on in the lead-up, but Jonah Pezet is penalised for an escort. Reynolds kick the penalty goal. Broncos 14-6.

17 min: Kelma Tuilagi breaks through the attempted tackles of Ezra Mam and Jack Gosiewksi and steps his way in to scores. Moses converts. Broncos 12-6. 

13 min: Jordan Riki comes within centimetres of scoring after Sean Russell spills a cross-field kick, but knocks on over the try line.

10 min: The Broncos march up the field and Adam Reynolds trickles through a grubber for Kotoni Staggs to score. Reynolds converts. Broncos 12-0.

8 min: Eels enjoy their first plays in the attacking half, but Mitch Moses' is put under pressure on last tackle, easily cleaned up by Walsh.

4 min: Reece Walsh dances through to score the opening try on the back of two repeat sets, which started with a high tackle penalty against Kelma Tuilagi on the eventual try scorer. Reynolds converts. Broncos 6-0.

Late Mail

Broncos: The Broncos are 1-19, with coach Michael Maguire confirming on Wednesday that Ezra Mam would start the game, with Ben Hunt coming off the bench. Brendan Piakura remains sidelined following off-season knee surgery but is expected to return in the next couple of weeks. Delouise Hoeter and Thomas Duffy were omitted from the extended squad on Wednesday and Blake Mozer dropped out on Thursday.

Eels: The Eels had no further changes after centre Will Penisini succumbed to a groin injury, with Jordan Samrani taking his place in the backline. Josh Addo-Carr has been confirmed to return from a thumb injury, moving Sean Russell into centre and Brian Kelly back to the bench. Jack Williams slides to prop in place of the suspended J'maine Hopgood with Kelma Tuilagi joining the starting side.

Numbers Game

• The Broncos have won four of their past five games against the Eels.
• The Eels have defeated the Broncos in four of their last five clashes at Suncorp Stadium.
• Broncos winger Deine Mariner has scored four tries in three games against the Eels.
• Eels captain Mitchell Moses has won seven of his last 10 games against the Broncos.
• Broncos captain Adam Reynolds has scored a try in his last four games against the Eels.