Rob Forsaith at Suncorp Stadium
A dynamic performance from Roosters playmaker Todd Carney has seen his side clamber into the top four with a 34-30 triumph over Brisbane on a drama-packed Monday night at Suncorp Stadium.
Rocked by the late withdrawals of NSW duo Mitchell Pearce (hamstring) and Nate Myles (hip), the visitors still outplayed the Broncos on the back of a stunning show from Carney.
That was until the 55th minute when momentum turned swiftly and in the most incredible fashion.
The Roosters had just extended their lead to 28-6 when centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall crossed for the third of his four tries, with an intercept and 85-metre dash to the line.
Thanks to Carney's fine work, the visitors had registered five unanswered tries and the game seemed to be over, but someone had clearly forgotten to tell the hosts.
Brisbane had earlier struggled to maintain possession in the opening half and often panicked with the ball in hand, but somehow everything clicked into gear in the second stanza.
In one of the most remarkable 15 minutes of rugby league you will ever see, the Broncos took control of the contest and came up with four consecutive tries of their own.
Sydney's steely defence was nowhere to be seen.
Matt Gillett, Israel Folau and Antonio Winterstein all ducked over before it culminated in a controversial try to Nick Kenny in the 70th minute.
Lock Corey Parker added the extras to see the Broncos claim a 30-28 lead and regain the advantage for the first time since the 15th minute, but Kenny's try will no doubt be one of the hottest issues in the coming days.
After a flurry on the cusp of the try-line that saw a pack of bodies converge on the ball, video referee Tim Mander was called into action and gave the green light for the try, ruling that Roosters full-back Anthony Minichiello had stripped the ball from Folau.
Later replays, which Mander must not have seen, showed Folau had lost the ball and Sydney coach Brian Smith will almost certainly be seething after such an amateur mistake.
It would have been one of the most unbelievable upsets in recent times, but the Roosters were woken from their slumber and spurred into action by the dodgy call.
The crowd of 26,486 was soon silenced when Kenny-Dowall grabbed his fourth try of the night after some nifty work from Minichiello and fittingly Carney, who was dominant throughout the contest.
The loss sees Brisbane slide out of the top eight, and there could be further damage with injuries to Ben Te'o (suspected broken foot) and Winterstein (knee).
Brisbane Broncos 30
Tries: McCullough, Winterstein, Kenny, Folau, Gillett,
Conversions: Parker 5
Sydney Roosters 34
Tries: Kenny-Dowall 4, Carney, Leilua,
Conversions: Carney 5