It raised eyebrows during the final round of the NRL regular season and the Broncos look set to reprise the tactic in Sunday’s premiership decider against Melbourne.
With athletic Storm star Xavier Coates proving almost unstoppable under attacking bombs in 2025—coupled with an NRL crackdown on players being tackled in the air—Brisbane’s outside backs continually attempted to block the 1.94-metre winger during their Round 27 clash at Suncorp Stadium to keep him well away from the contest.
Kotoni Staggs and Jesse Arthars lead the way that night, and it proved both controversial and effective with the Broncos able to limit the aerial threat of Coates en route to a critical 30-14 victory that secured their place in the NRL top four.
After the match, Coates said he wasn’t overly surprised by Brisbane’s approach before urging referees to take a stand against blocking tactics.
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“It’d be nice if the refs helped out, but it’s also on myself,” Coates told the Daily Telegraph.
“I can’t just rely on the refs to give me a good call, I’m going to back myself and keep doing what I’ve been doing all year—if it comes off, it comes off and if doesn’t, it doesn’t.”
‘Knock him out of the road’ says Meninga
While criticised in some quarters, the Broncos tactics mirror those suggested by one of the game’s most respected coaches earlier in the season with Mal Meninga revealing he’d absolutely be encouraging his players to impede high-flying wingers like Coates, even if it costs his side a penalty.
“I’d just tell them to escort and knock him out of the road,” Meninga said on SEN Queensland. “I’d give a penalty away as opposed to four points.”
Come Sunday night at Accor Stadium, it will be delicate balance for Michael Maguire’s men, especially given the Broncos were penalised twice for escorts against Penrith in last weekend’s preliminary final by referee Grant Atkins who will also take charge of the grand final.
It seems almost certain they’ll once again push the limits against the towering Storm winger.
Question is, will they get away with it?