21 Sep 2008

Melbourne Storm beat Broncos

5:57 am on 21 September 2008

The NRL rugby league competition's minor premiers Melbourne has ended Brisbane's season with a 16-14 win in last night's knockout semi final at Suncorp Stadium.

Melbourne had been behind on the scoreboard for 79 minutes and 14 seconds until Greg Inglis broke Brisbane hearts with a try in the dying seconds.

Broncos coach Wayne Bennett leapt from his chair in the coach's box prematurely two minutes early after it appeared prop Ben Hannant had scored a match-winning try.

However video referee, Bill Harrigan ruled he had been held up by Billy Slater and Matt Geyer.

The Broncos led 12-0 at half time.

The loss ended Bennett's 21-year reign at the club in front of a crowd of 50,466 that was left shell shocked by the result.

Melbourne will play the Sharks next weekend for a spot in the grand final against the winner of the other preliminary final between Manly and the New Zealand Warriors.