Brisbane Broncos 10–15 Parramatta Eels — Major Semi-Final, 1998 NRL Finals Series
6 Sep 1998 · Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, QLD · Attendance: 21,172
Data last verified: 11 August 2026.
Major Semi-Final, 1998 NRL finals series: Brisbane Broncos 10–15 Parramatta Eels, at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, QLD on 6 Sep 1998.
Sourcing caveat: Parramatta's named scorers (2 tries, Ian Herron's 3/4 goals) total 14 of the team's 15 points; the remaining point is most likely an uncredited field goal, but no source identifies the kicker, so it is recorded as an unconfirmed drop-goal entry rather than guessed. Parramatta's lineup for this specific match (Paul Carige at fullback, Ian Herron and Shane Whereat on the wings, David Penna at five-eighth, with Clinton Schifcofske and Jason Bell out of this particular 17) was confirmed directly from the match's own numbered team list rather than assumed from the squad's other 1998 finals lineups. Brisbane's home venue is recorded under its modern name (Suncorp Stadium) rather than the period-correct "ANZ Stadium".
Scorers
| Brisbane Broncos | Tries: Lockyer; Renouf Goals: Lockyer (1/3 conversions) |
| Parramatta Eels | Tries: Kelly; Pay Goals: Herron (3/4 conversions) Drop goals: Drop goal scorer unconfirmed (1 point) |
Team sheets
| Brisbane Broncos | Parramatta Eels | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darren Lockyer | Fullback | Paul Carige | 1 |
| 2 | Michael Hancock | Wing | Shane Whereat | 2 |
| 3 | Steve Renouf | Centre | Stuart Kelly | 3 |
| 4 | Darren Smith | Centre | Karl Lovell | 4 |
| 5 | Wendell Sailor | Wing | Ian Herron | 5 |
| 6 | Kevin Walters | Five-Eighth | David Penna | 6 |
| 7 | Allan Langer (c) | Halfback | John Simon | 7 |
| 8 | Shane Webcke | Prop | Dean Pay (c) | 8 |
| 9 | Phillip Lee | Hooker | Aaron Raper | 9 |
| 10 | Andrew Gee | Prop | Mark Tookey | 10 |
| 11 | Gorden Tallis | Second Row | Jarrod McCracken | 11 |
| 12 | Brad Thorn | Second Row | Nathan Hindmarsh | 12 |
| 13 | Peter Ryan | Lock | Jim Dymock | 13 |
| Substitutes | ||||
| 14 | Kevin Campion | Jason Bell | 14 | |
| 15 | Petero Civoniceva | Jason Smith | 15 | |
| 16 | Tonie Carroll | Nathan Cayless | 16 | |
| 17 | John Plath | Dallas Weston | 17 | |
| Wayne Bennett | Coach | Brian Smith | ||
Match officials
| Referee | Paul McBlane |
Match report
A famous Parramatta upset of the minor premiers on Brisbane's home turf forced the Broncos into an Elimination Preliminary Final the following week, while the Eels advanced straight to a home Preliminary Final.