The next fortnight could shape as the most crucial period in the Brisbane Broncos’ history.
Having lost their past two matches, against the lowly Bulldogs and Cowboys, both away from home, the Broncos’ late-season woes could extend further when they face the top two teams, the second-placed Rabbitohs and first-placed Roosters.
Their form has bordered on inconsistent all season, winning all but two of their matches by fewer than ten points, while being heavily beaten in several others.
While they sit in eighth place on the ladder, with a points differential of -10, the club has been on the back foot since they lost their season opener against the St George Illawarra Dragons by 34-12 at Kogarah Oval.
Most surprising of all, they have lost six out of a possible ten matches against bottom-six teams and only scraped past the Cowboys, Bulldogs and Eels earlier in the season.
That said, they did score a 34-0 win over the Titans on the Gold Coast in Round 17 and put a half-century on the Panthers in Round 19 on either side of a 26-6 loss to the Warriors on home soil.
They also beat the Rabbitohs, Roosters, Warriors and Sharks (twice, in Rounds 15 and 20) earlier in the season, but the former two teams were yet to really get going at the time.
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Now Wayne Bennett’s men get both the Bunnies and Chooks at just about the worst possible time, especially with the ninth-placed Wests Tigers lurking, but with a points differential of -34.
The Rabbitohs side the Broncos will face on Thursday night has vastly improved since their Round 8 meeting at ANZ Stadium, which the northeners won 24-20.
After that match, Anthony Seibold’s men were 4-4, but since then they have won 11 of their last 13 matches.
Adding some intrigue to this match is the fact that the Broncos said to be courting the first-year Rabbitohs coach to replace Bennett, possibly by the start of next season, although Seibold has said he is only focused on leading his side to September.
The 43-year-old has done a brilliant job in leading his side into the top four and rediscovering the flair that saw them take out the 2014 premiership.
While their last outing resulted in a narrow 18-14 loss to the Roosters, the result could have been different had Greg Inglis’ thumb injury, suffered in Round 16, healed in time for that match.
Greg Inglis (AAP Image/David Moir)
As for the Broncos, after they face the Rabbitohs, they too face the Roosters, in Round 24.
Despite securing the services of James Tedesco and Cooper Cronk during the off-season, Trent Robinson’s men started the season slowly, but in recent weeks have shown why they were the pre-season title favourites.
They too have lifted since their 28-22 loss to the Broncos in Round 11, losing just one match since (9-8 against the Storm in Round 16) to surge to the top of the ladder.
This means the next two weeks are crucial to the Broncos’ chances of reaching the finals and proving that they won’t be there simply to make up the numbers.
Lose to both clubs and they will risk being overtaken by the Wests Tigers, who will fancy winning their last three, against the Dragons, Sea Eagles and Rabbitohs, all at home.
But given how the Broncos have performed in 2018, the longest premiership drought in the club’s history will almost certainly extend into a 12th season.
PNGBF88
Guest
+100
Rob
Guest
Watching the Broncos in the flesh playing the Cowboys, I thought they played negative. They had several opportunities to move the ball wide and attack the edges but they were trying to dominate the middle with little ball movement. They lack a good leader with the direction and skill of moving the foot ball to the edges when required. If Cameron Smith, Cronk, Cherry- Evans were directing this Broncos team around they would be leading the comp.
John
Guest
Next two matches determine whether or not Broncs have a chance at the big dance. If they can't win or at least compete in the next two matches you can basically write them off whether they make the finals or not.
steveng
Roar Rookie
'Steve' you forgot AK lol which makes the Broncs specials even more but, the Bunnies will put a big one in and hopefully our young kids will come up to the plate just like Graham and Doueihi have done in the past. There are big wraps on 'Mawene Hiroti' who lets hope will have a big one at fullback when they put him on. The Bunnies don't look like certainties but anything could happen. Go the Bunnies!!!
Wayne Turner
Guest
That super buy Jack "Big" Bird certainly hasn't helped. Along with an off Darius Bennett,and horrible halves combo.
Steve
Guest
If the Broncs can't win this week they'll never win. Excluding Gagai South's have a reserve grade backline running out Thursday night. Add to that the home ground advantage and all the upheavals with Bennet during the week and they should be specials.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Who knows, but it's generally a good game regardless of how either team is travelling. Broncos are also on their fourth or fifth backline in just as many games, that doesn't exacly breed consistancy
Emcie
Roar Guru
A fair chunk of those weren't under Bennett though. Broncos obviously don't have a great record against them but I'm not sure that that's far removed from most teams in the comp
Bunney
Roar Rookie
Depends which Broncos team turns up! We need the win a lot more than you do
steveng
Roar Rookie
How do you all reckon that the Bunnies will go on Thursday? The Bunnies have a pretty depleated side and if the Broncs can't beat them then there gone. We don't have a good record up at Suncorp against the Broncs hopefully the Bunnies will put in a big one!
Bunney
Roar Rookie
Since the 2006 GF, the Broncs have played the Storm 26 times, and won 4. Four of the 26 matches were finals, and the Storm won all four. The victories you spoke of in 2015 & 2016 are the only ones in our last 17 matches against the Storm
Emcie
Roar Guru
It hasn't been that long, we beat em in '15, '16 and there was only a penalty goal between them in a game last year so it's only really been this year and last year
Bunney
Roar Rookie
That's when the problem started. 12 years is a long time to pretty much lose every time. Bellamy, Smithy and Slater are STILL dirty about losing that game, and they impart those 'grudge' feelings on the rest of the squad. I reckon guys like Will Chambers have been so indoctrinated by the grudge, that they probably don't even realise they didn't play in the match! It's brilliant really...I just wish we could beat them, oh, even one in every three times.
Emcie
Roar Guru
except for that one grand final
Bunney
Roar Rookie
In the context of this year, and possibly Bennett's future, the next two games for the Broncs are massive. But in the context of their history? Not so much.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
When they're on, they'll take down any team in the comp...except for the Storm! Still haven't figured out how to do that unfortunately.
Nat
Roar Guru
Who knows. When they're on, they'll take down any team in the comp and I think Bennett puts more credence into defensive wins over simply outscoring teams. There is little doubt they can score points but my greatest concern is they haven't yet settled with their best team, specifically left center. Which is weird, as in years past, it was always 'have they got the forwards', well they've had multiple season ending injuries (Gillett, Haas, Su'a, Savelio and utility Bird) they've been able to produce. Thaiday is playing like he's enjoying the time left, TPJ has nagging injuries but he's a beast and for whatever you think of him, Lodge has been their consistent best. They will need to be against Souths. Slow down their pack and limit Cook and you're going to be in good stead. Easy from the recliner.