One star emerged and another came out of hibernation as Brisbane thundered past the Sydney Roosters, stamping itself as a genuine NRL premiership contender with a 40-22 win at Aussie Stadium.

Leon 'Lightning' Bott, a teenage student entrusted with the Broncos right wing, finally got the chance to show off his much-hyped pace and he didn't disappoint, leaving a trail of defenders in his wake on his way to a thrilling 46th minute try.

Sixteen minutes later Justin Hodges, playing only his third game since returning from an unhappy stint at the Roosters, backed up Karmichael Hunt to score against his former side and the game was as good as over.

Hodges also had a hand in Shaun Berrigan's second try in the 74th minute as the Broncos thrashed last year's grand finalists.

Brisbane led 14-6 at halftime but the Roosters enjoyed the perfect start to the second half, scoring inside the opening minute albeit in controversial circumstances.

Five-eighth Brett Finch, making his return from a broken hand, threw what looked like a forward pass on the last tackle to put Iosia Soliola in space and he flick passed to Amos Roberts in open territory.

Roberts stumbled as he stepped inside Hunt, flick passed the ball from the ground for Soliola, who dived over in the corner.

Lockyer complained about the Finch pass but referee Tim Mander gave it the all-clear and video referee Graeme West ruled Soliola had got the ball down before going over the sideline, Craig Fitzgibbon's sideline conversion edging the Roosters within four points.

The Broncos found the perfect reply in the 46th minute - through 18-year-old Bott, rated the fastest player in Brisbane's NRL history.

A simple backline movement ended with the ball in the hands of Bott, who turned on the afterburners, beat the despairing dive of Craig Wing and raced 40 metres to score.

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