​Milford and Hunt star in landslide victory

Any doubts over the Brisbane Broncos Premiership credentials were put to bed on Thursday night, as Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt paved the way for a 47-12 victory over South Sydney in front of 12,036 fans at Allianz Stadium.

Having gone down narrowly to the Roosters last week, Brisbane opted to remain in Sydney given the short turnaround and were quick to assert themselves against the reigning premiers.

Opening the scoring after seven minutes through Jordan Kahu, Brisbane added a further three first half tries to Corey Oates (13th minute), Ben Hunt (16th minute) and Kahu (25th minute) to give the visitors an unassailable 22-0 lead.

The Rabbitohs were able to respond ten minutes before the break through Chris Grevsmuhl, but it proved to be a minor glitch on an otherwise brilliant first half by Brisbane.

Shutting out any hope of a South Sydney fightback only five mintes after the resumption of play courtesy of a Ben Hunt try, Brisbane faced little resistance from the Rabbitohs to run out convincing winners.

Further tries to Anthony Milford (63rd & 76th minutes) as well as Hunt's third (66th minute) saw the scoreline blow out to 47-12 at the end of 80 minutes, with the only interruption a barge over effort from Issac Luke (55th minute) in his final home appearance for South Sydney.

If things were bad for South Sydney on the scoreboard, they won't find any relief off it. John Sutton looks set to miss the remainder of the year with a suspected fractured fibula, while Issac Luke may have played his last game after being placed on-report for a shoulder charge.

For the Broncos, they were simply outstanding throughout the match, exploiting the tired South Sydney defenders on every possible occasion.

With their final match of the season next week against Melbourne; Brisbane appear to be in the pole position to claim their first minor premiership since 2000.

Facing off against archrivals the Roosters next Friday, the Rabbitohs appear to be a spent force burdened by injury, fatigue and the pressure of defending their title as premiers.

Match Details

South Sydney Rabbitohs 12 Brisbane Broncos 47
Venue: Allianz Stadium
Crowd: 12036
Halftime Score: South Sydney Rabbitohs 6 Brisbane Broncos 22

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (12)
Tries: Chris Grevsmuhl, Issac Luke
Conversions: Adam Reynolds (2/2)

BRISBANE BRONCOS (47)
Tries: Jordan Kahu (2), Corey Oates, Ben Hunt (3), Anthony Milford (2)
Field Goals: Anthony Milford (1/1)
Conversions: Jordan Kahu (2/2), Corey Parker (5/6)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Anthony Milford
2 points - Ben Hunt
1 point - Corey Oates

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to League Unlimited's coverage of Round 25 Thursday Night Football between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Brisbane Broncos at Allianz Stadium.

Both sides come into tonights fixture as last-start losers; Brisbane are assured of a top three finish, but will be looking to finish with their first minor premiership in 15 years. Souths will be looking to secure a top-four finish in order to defend their title, but will need to win tonight in order to keep their distance from Cronulla.

With Greg Inglis out through injury, Alex Johnston has been named at fullback. However there has been speculation throughout the week that Dylan Walker will shift from the centres to replace the South Sydney skipper.

In a major boost to the Rabbitohs chances, Issac Luke and Luke Keary are back from suspension. Chris Grevsmuhl comes onto the bench after a two week stint with North Sydney in place of representative forward Chris McQueen.

For the Broncos, Jack Reed is the only change from the side beaten by the Roosters last week; he replaces Dale Copley at left centre.

Corey Oates will play his 50th NRL game, after debuting in Round 17, 2013.

Justin Hodges leads the Brisbane Broncos onto Allianz Stadium; this may be Hodges' last appearance at the venue after spending three seasons here with the Roosters between 2002-04.

South Sydney are greeted by a parade of former players as they make their way onto the ground.

Issac Luke kicks off, Sam Thaiday takes the first run of the night.

1: Dylan Walker takes the first run for South Sydney; he is playing fullback.

1: Reynolds bombs, but Corey Oates does well to take the high ball.

2: Ben Hunt's bomb bounces over the dead-ball line; 20 metre re-start.

3: Reynolds puts a wonderful grubber in-goal, Anthony Milford is forced to dive on the ball. Line drop-out.

4: George Burgess makes a Grand Final-esque charge into the Brisbane defensive line.

5: Alex Johnston can't get the ball over the line after a fantastic sweep play instigated by Dylan Walker.

6: Adam Blair gets an offload away.

7: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Jordan Kahu. Kick to come.
Amazing play from Anthony Milford. From the Blair offload, Milford breaks away before delivering a great cut-out pass to his support on the right.

8: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Corey Parker successful.
From the sideline, Parker puts the ball between the posts. 6-0 Brisbane.

9: Sam Thaiday driven back by three Rabbitohs from the kick-off.

9: McCullough drives the ball down to Dylan Walker.

10: Walker has looked strong bringing the ball back tonight.

10: Darius Boyd knocks the ball back trying to pick up a Luke Keary grubber.

11: Joel Reddy gets Souths over halfway.

12: Corey Oates is away.

13: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Corey Oates. Kick to come.
WHAT A TRY! Souths put a chip kick in for Alex Johnston, but in his 50th game, Oates streaks the length of the field to score.

14: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Corey Parker unsuccessful.
Parker can't get the ball to fade back. Broncos 10-0.

15: Anthony Milford is away from the kickoff.

16: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Ben Hunt. Kick to come.
Well that is scintillating! Hunt is able to follow Anthony Milford and Jack Reed to score Brisbane's third try of the night.

17: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Corey Parker successful.
After showing signs of promise early, Souths are shellshocked at the moment.

17: Sam Thaiday makes another strong charge from the kickoff.

17: Joel Reddy is taken 10 metres out from the South Sydney tryline.

18: Tom Burgess is on.

19: Johnston allows the ball to bounce and is subsequently tackled by three Brisbane chasers.

19: Souths get a relieving penalty.

20: They'll start a set from 30 metres out.

21: Jason Clark is held up over the line.

21: Jordan Kahu comes up with a mistake. Souths will have a scrum from 10 metres out.

23: Alex Glenn is over halfway after a ricochet from Luke Keary's grubber.

24: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Jordan Kahu. Kick to come.
Brisbane are making the defending Premiers looks like boys against men. Kahu scores his second.

25: Souths were threatening to score and within three tackles the Broncos were able for another try. Incredible work from Brisbane.

26: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Corey Parker successful.
Parker adds the extras, Brisbane out by 22-0.

27: Wallace and Dodds on for Brisbane.

27: Chris Grevsmuhl takes his first run of the night.

28: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Chris Grevsmuhl. Kick to come.
He's only been on the field a minute, but after Glenn Stewart delivers a short ball, Grevsmuhl crashes over.

29: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Adam Reynolds successful.
Conversion successful. Is there a comeback on the cards?

31: Milford into a gap again.

31: Brisbane up to the 20 metre line.

31: Penalty to Brisbane.

33: Milford forces a line-drop out after Dylan Walker is caught by Jack Reed in-goal.

33: Milford has already made 3 line breaks. We've seen him carve sides up before, but nothing like this.

34: Corey Oates is forced over the sideline after Alex Johnston drags the big man down.

35: Darius Boyd comes up with a knock-on after a monster bomb from Adam Reynolds.

36: The Rabbitohs will have a great chance to come up with points from close range.

37: Jarrod Wallace comes up with a great catch from a Glenn Stewart kick.

39: Tom Burgess knocks on with the Rabbitohs in a strong attacking position.

40: It's a cacophony of errors to end the first half; Souths knock on, Brisbane forward pass.

40: Reynolds bombs, Corey Oates makes a great leaping catch and Brisbane take a 22-6 lead to the break.

40: Brisbane kick-off, John Sutton goes close to the sideline on the first tackle.

41: Tom Burgess comes up with a loose carry. Brisbane will get an early chance inside the Rabbitohs half.

42: Milford kicks ahead for Jack Reed, but Alex Johnston gets to the ball first. Line-drop out.

44: Hodges knocks-on with the ball over the line. Souths get off the hook with a 20 metre re-start.

44: Thaiday and Blair about to come back on.

45: Ben Hunt is claiming a try. He appears to have come up with the ball after a kick inside towards the posts.

45: Grevsmuhl has lost the ball, Hunt strips Glenn Stewart and it should be a try.

45: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Ben Hunt. Kick to come.
That's his second. Brisbane should be home now.

46: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Jordan Kahu successful.
With Parker off, Kahu adds the extras from in-front.

47: It's quite remarkable to see the rise of Ben Hunt over the past two years. He spent the first 100 games of his career off the bench, but having done his apprenticeship he is now one of the best playmakers in the NRL.

47: Jack Reed kicks ahead, but the ball goes into touch.

48: Souths get a penalty for a high shot on Chris Grevsmuhl.

49: John Sutton down receiving attention from the Souths trainer.

49: Brisbane turn defence into attack once again.

49: Kahu is pulled down short of the line and subsequently draws a penalty.

50: Sutton being escorted up the tunnel; that may be his season.

51: Hunt bombs for Oates, but Johnston is able to come up with possession.

52: Early diagnosis on John Sutton: ankle injury, he won't be back tonight.

52: Issac Luke makes an atrocious play the ball, but gets a penalty.

53: Kyle Turner is only inches from the line.

54: Turner loses the ball close to the line, but fortunately Souths will get a repeat set.

55: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Issac Luke. Kick to come.
After a good run from Glenn Stewart, the South Sydney hooker burrows over to score.

56: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Adam Reynolds successful.
Reynolds converts. Souths still have hope.

57: Jo Ofahengaue is on for Brisbane.

57: Issac Luke draws a penalty on halfway.

57: If the Bunnies can score here they'll be right back in the match.

58: Darius Boyd collects the ball on his goal line.

59: Adam Reynolds down, Brisbane get a penalty.

59: Issac Luke on report for contact made with the shoulder.

60: Gillett takes the ball into the Rabbitohs half.

60: Alex Glenn down; Luke Keary being treated by the trainer.

60: Darius Boyd delivers a shocking pass after being hit by a Souths defender.

62: Kyle Turner loses the ball. Souths look finished tonight and quite honestly if this is how their shaping up heading into September, they won't be defending their title.

63: McCullough makes an incisive run through the Rabbitohs defence.

63: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Anthony Milford. Kick to come.
If there's one player who deserves a try, it's Milford. Great work by Ben Hunt to grubber ahead for his halves partner.

64: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Corey Parker successful.
From adjacent to the sticks, Parker converts. Brisbane 34-12.

65: We highlighted Anthony Milford in our Match Preview - he's certainly delivered tonight.

66: Hodges through from dummy half.

66: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Ben Hunt. Kick to come.
For the first time in his career, Ben Hunt gets a hat-trick.

66: That's twice tonight that Brisbane have scored off the kick-off.

67: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Corey Parker successful.
Brisbane were embarrassed in the opening round; they've certainly made amends tonight.

69: Issac Luke down after Ben Hunt lands on him.

69: Hunt kicks ahead for Kahu, but the ball goes over the sideline.

71: Grevsmuhl comes up with an error; Brisbane are in total control.

72: Souths get a penalty.

73: Jordan Kahu comes up with a great tackle around the legs of Joel Reddy.

73: Chris Grevsmuhl is over the line, but he has lost the ball.

73: No Try. great work by Adam Blair to prevent the try.

74: Jack Reed knocks on trying to bat the ball on to Corey Oates.

75: Adam Reynolds aims for a 40/20, but Kahu has no problem coming up with possession.

76: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Anthony Milford. Kick to come.
Ben Hunt finds space and puts Milford over for his second.

77: Brisbane have been outstanding tonight; for much of the year I haven't rated them, but on tonights performance they are a real chance to win the Premiership.

78: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Jordan Kahu successful.
46-12. Brisbane have done a job on the Rabbitohs.

79: Nikorima's into space. There's more holes in the Souths defence than Swiss cheese!

79: SUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL BRISBANE BRONCOS
Field goal attempt by Anthony Milford successful.
Adding insult into injury, Milford knocks over another point.

80: Jo Ofahengaue is down after a head clash with Bryson Goodwin.

80: John Sutton - suspected fractured fibula; season over for the Rabbitohs stand-in captain.

80: Milford punts the ball into touch, Brisbane have thrashed the reigning premiers.

80: Brisbane 47 - South Sydney 12. What a win.