Brisbane’s belting at the hands of Manly was a timely reminder of how ugly an off-colour night in the NRL can become, according to co-captain Corey Parker.
The Broncos remain top of the NRL ladder but are equal on points with North Queensland following the surprise 44-14 capitulation to the Sea Eagles on Saturday night in Gosford.
Parker did not hold back in his assessment of Brisbane’s performance, vowing his side would get back on course in time for Canterbury’s visit on Friday night to Suncorp Stadium.
Asked where things went wrong for the Broncos against Manly, Parker said: “Once the whistle went.”
“Footy’s a very simply game.
“If you don’t turn up committed and with the right attitude, against a quality side, you’ve only got to be five or 10 per cent off and that will show.
“That was certainly where we were at last Saturday night.
“It’s important we get back to our process and move on from, by our standards, what was very poor on Saturday night.”
The Broncos last faced Canterbury three weeks ago, scraping away with a 16-8 win at ANZ Stadium.
But the Bulldogs’ giant pack looms as a much-bigger challenge this time around, with form prop Adam Blair still suspended for another week and the injured Josh Maguire sidelined for the rest of the season.
“We played them a month ago. We understand what they’re going to do and how they’re going to play,” Parker said.
Parker was less than enthusiastic about revisiting his ongoing battle with Bulldogs forward David Klemmer, who was famously told by the Broncos’ veteran to “show some respect” during a niggly State of Origin II at the MCG.
The 33-year-old said the only point he had to prove to Klemmer was the same one he wanted to demonstrate to everyone else – that Brisbane’s shock loss to Manly was an aberration.
“I guess, from a spectator’s point of view and certainly what you guys do, it’s something to lean on,” Parker said.
“You’re out there and you come across these guys – he plays front row; I play lock. Individual feuds happen week in, week out and, if you want to write about that, go ahead.
“For us, it’s about putting to bed our performance on Saturday and, for them, it’s about getting the win and moving higher up the ladder.”
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