http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21510815-23214,00.html
Broncos claim victory of sorts
April 05, 2007
BRISBANE Broncos had their first "victory" of the season today with the NRL moving their round 10 encounter against Manly Sea Eagles to Brookvale Oval.
The NRL agreed to a switch of venues for this season's two Brisbane-Manly games after Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen launched a stinging broadside at the game's governing body over its scheduling earlier this week.
Cullen was incensed after the Broncos were handed a Monday night home game against the Sea Eagles just two days out from the opening State of Origin game, which is also being played at Suncorp Stadium.
The Broncos are likely to be heavily depleted for the game with players away with the Queensland side, the absence of top line talent and proximity to the Origin contest sure to have had a detrimental effect on crowd numbers.
The NRL today relented, switching the round 10 clash to Brookvale Oval, with the round 21 return bout moved to Suncorp Stadium.
"They're always talking about wanting to build crowds, build attendance figures, then they do this," said an irate Cullen.
"We welcome Monday night football and the chance to make it a success but you want a quality game.
"When they looked at the draw, that's one game they should have trodden away from.
"They haven't given us a cannon, they given us a pop gun.
"No disrespect to the players that night, but it would be almost a reserve grade clash, it's very disappointing after all their rhetoric."
The date shift could see Brisbane revive plans to use the Suncorp Stadium clash to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut in the premiership when they trounced the Sea Eagles 24-10.
Brisbane will be hoping to follow up today's off-field victory with its first on-field win against an equally desperate Sydney Roosters at Aussie Stadium tomorrow night.
AAP
