Starting the 2016 season, Brisbane were firing. Like many I thought it was only a two-horse race for the premiership between Cowboys and Broncos, with a slim chance to Cronulla.
They grabbed top spot having won seven out of eight games, with the only loss being by one point against Penrith.
With the fast start, Anthony Milford was rising in the Dally M leader board continuing his impressive form from last year. Milford was also in the top try scorers list, which is unusual for a five-eighth. This showed his eye for the line and determination to carry the team.
Brisbane were one of the best attacking and defensive teams in the comp.
However the shining light soon become dull as they only managed to win two from their last seven matches, dropping from first to sixth.
For Broncos fans, this isn’t surprising. In the Origin period, with six of their stars being selected for Queensland, and others being hit with key injuries like Andrew McCullough, Alex Glenn, Jordan Kahu and Jack Reed.
Missing their consistent hooker McCullough, Brisbane have struggled to keep pressure on teams throughout the whole 80 minutes. Andrew can provide a early tackle count kick to the corner to put the opposition on their heels and even provide a 40/20 at times.
Milford and Ben Hunt have fallen short of good performances that fans are used to.
With Round 19 about to begin, it will bring the end to the rep period with the Origin stars being back in the team every week from here on in. Getting back into a routine will help the Broncos regain lost form.
To regain premiership contender status, forwards like Adam Blair and Josh McGuire will need to keep stepping up. Whether that comes in the form of run metres or offloads it doesn’t matter they just need to spark something for their team.
With Hunt having an average season, he will need to start performing at his scintillating best that was on show all of last season. One thing is for sure, Darius Boyd is in the best form of his life, keeping the Broncos in order from the back.
The key to turning their season around is their defence. As seen in the games against Melbourne and the Bulldogs, Brisbane let in more than 40 points. With Wayne Bennett being a defensive-minded coach there is no doubt he will turn their lacklustre defence back into the brick wall it once was.
The Broncos will finish in fourth spot, with five of the last eight games against teams currently in the bottom eight.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I'm not familiar with Pangai jr, but I'll freely admit I bloody hate the Bronc's. I do however have a huge amount of respect and admiration for the club players brand coach - all of it. Let's face it, a succesful Brisbane Broncos is a succesful NRL and while we all don't have to like it , it is important and true. With Roberts it's a classic case of a kid on the cusp of great things. Can he step up though? Take that next step, I watched Barba last round and he was directing play, ball playing passing???? And it made me wonder how you spot talent. I got a headache. Still they should belt souths and that should help their confidence.
bjvm
Roar Rookie
The Wayne Plane always has a way. I think Pangai Jr. is going to have a bright future, kid can run and hit hard. What do you think about Roberts getting a go at left centre? Doesn't get enough ball in my opinion, even though he hasn't done a lot this year, he has the X-Factor.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I'm not judging them, merely offering an observation on what I see. The disciplinary action is a seperate issue. If it turns out to have compromised their club form then they don't deserve to be there. I mean, really, because young fellas will be young fellas, and go out without permission and break team protocol, then get penalised for it. And if they act like grownups and accept their treatment all is good. One moves on. But to say their mindset is somehow "off" is a little bit bizarre. A normal person would use it as a motivator to prove the critics wrong. Anyway as you say we will never know, but boy, it is interesting.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
What I don't understand with the Bronc's depth issue is why? I mean they've traditionally had a huge catchment of talent in the Q cup system, so with some astute talent spotting they wouldn't be in this position in the first place. Still, I believe in uncle Wayne to get the boys up.
Agent11
Guest
Yeah their depth is a worry. Eden and Maranta are shocking... I don't even know if they would make the Knights team.
bjvm
Roar Rookie
Definitely need to improve a lot to be able to make the top 4. Maybe they'll regain confidence versing a depleted Rabbitohs side this weekend, having their leadership group back every week will be a load of help. Still think Milford is the most dangerous 5/8th in the competition, not based on form obviously.
Albo
Guest
Yep ! Seems to me that the Broncos just don't have the same sort of depth they usually have to cover for this State of Origin period and with a few injuries. They look particularly soft in the forwards and even more so when Parker, Thaiday & McGuire are missing. They are definitely missing some on-field leadership that was previously provided by Lockyer & Hodges during these tougher times. Someone needs to step up to lead their younger guys apart from Corey Parker. And the halves are struggling for confidence & form because their forwards aren't giving them much of a platform to work off. Despite a favourable draw, I think they will struggle to make it into the top 4.
Jara W
Guest
They were under disciplinary action. I find it completely understandable that could have affected their mindset. Who are you or I to judge that? A lack of depth is the price you pay for such a strong top 17. With most of them back on board hopefully the last 8 rounds will be the fresh start they've been waiting for. Top 4 is there to be lost rather than taken.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
How does being banned from Origin equate to poor club form. Who exactly was going to be dropped to accomodate Hunt & Milford? JT & Cronk! HA you make me larf. The reality for the Bronc's seems to be that Ben Hunt is very low on confidence at the moment, I hope he regains it for his own sake. Milford is very elusive with ball in hand but oppositions can contain him if they work at it. I just think they have a slight lack of depth in the squad and it's now becoming obvious. I won't be surprised if a couple more veterans are given a tap on the shoulder and asked to retire.
Jara W
Guest
Milford and Hunts origin bans effectively ended this week also. The two of them may not even know how that has been affecting them. Let alone the rest of us. Come to think of it it has been a pretty ordinary mid season for a few of that banned bunch.
Womblat
Guest
Geez, bit of hate there. I get the anti-Broncos thing but like them or not, surely you like the sport enough to want one of the most entertaining teams in the comp back in flash form though, right? Surely. And their form slump coincides exactly with McCullough's injury too. Coincidence?
Mike from tari
Guest
You are joking about McCullough, he's the worst No9 in the NRL, he does nothing for that team, there are better No9s running around in the Q Cup, the Broncos are in a form slump, one of those that does affect most teams mid season, I just hope that they stay that way.