This is now the Brisbane Broncos’ equal second-worst start to a season ever and, barring a miracle, I cannot see it getting any better.
There are too many have beens, never weres and never will bes currently wearing the mustard and maroon.
Meanwhile, talent from the stable that was let go is looking great in other teams’ colours.
It must be enough to make the Broncos faithful want to vomit.
On only four other occasions has the club boasted one victory after four completed rounds of the competition: 2013, 2010, 2007 and 1999.
While they managed to scramble into the finals in 2007 and 1999, Brisbane were bundled out unceremoniously in the first week both times.
I suspect 2019 will join 2013 and 2010 as the only times in the NRL era that the Red Hill-based proprietary limited will not make the finals.
Last year I wrote that their recruitment had been pear-shaped since the retirement of the great Cyril Connell.
At the time, many people were keen to point out the developing talents of the likes of Jaydn Su’A, Joe Ofahengaue and Payne Haas as evidence that the talent development was still in great shape.
How many would still argue that line?
Last season, it seemed that Wayne Bennett was clearly past his peak and was being tipped out – going to the lesser Rabbitohs was almost a booby prize.
Anthony Seibold, conversely, was going to inject his young blood into the club and turn it around.
Broncos coach Anthony Seibold. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Who is laughing now? Uncle Wayne, that’s who.
And why wouldn’t he be? South Sydney – apart from their golden-point loss – have looked great so far. The Broncos have looked horrid.
While they are able to score some points – they are averaging 17.3 a match from their 3.3 tries – their defence has been execrable. They are the equal worst for run metres conceded, with 1600-plus a match. They are second worst for line breaks conceded, with 5.3 a match.
They are the worst in the NRL for missed tackles, with 32.3 a game. Kodi Nikorima has been doing an impressive Chris Sandow impression, missing an average of 5.3 a game. However, there are a whole host of his teammates also performing the role of turnstiles: Matt Lodge is missing 3.5 a game.
Tevita Pangai Jr (apparently a million-dollar player) is missing 3.3 a game, Anthony Milford and Jack Bird are missing three each, with Alex Glenn and Matt Gillett both over two.
Tevita Pangai Jr. (AAP Image/Craig Golding)
This is the team of Shane Webcke, Corey Parker, Kevin Campion, Brad Thorn and Trevor Gillmeister. Hard men and hard defenders. When did that tradition end?
What must also drive fans nuts is the talent that is now doing well at other clubs.
I’d imagine that watching the likes of Josh McGuire, Jai Arrow, Jarrod Wallace, Ash Taylor and Dane Gagai right now would be awful.
The question is how to right the ship, especially when their draw this year is a tough one.
How can they do it? Rugby league is a simple game played and watched by simple people (accept it, I have), so the answers are also simple.
Fix the defence
The number one thing you need to do to win matches is to stop losing them. The Broncos must work on their defensive frailties and stop the missed tackles. The question is whether they can.
Too many forwards are missing lots of tackles. The partnership of Matt Gillett and Alex Glenn has always missed a few, but they had the likes of Corey Parker and Josh McGuire with them.
They don’t now. Right now their only rock-solid defender is Andrew McCullough. The rest of the pack needs to step up.
The attack must fire
But can this happen? Right now, Brisbane’s attack is held up to a mediocre standard because of Corey Oates – and Jamayne Isaako, to a lesser extent.
Anthony Milford came to Red Hill with big fanfare and promise in 2015.
He was 60 seconds from winning a premiership and possibly a Clive Churchill at the end of that season. However, since that point, he hasn’t exactly set the world on fire, managing just two games of note – and both were losses for Queensland.
If the Broncos are to get back on track, then Milford must start having a big, personal impact with the ball in hand. His two try assists, one line break assist, one line break and one try from four matches is not enough.
The Milf is one of the NRL’s wonderful little men. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Nikorima may be a defensive liability but he has three try and line-break assists so far this year.
As well, Jack Bird and James Roberts must immediately find form and consistency, because Brisbane need these two at their attacking best. Darius Boyd also needs a renaissance to assist his side’s stuttering attack.
His new coach’s recent defence of the skipper – “Sometimes you swim in a pot of honey and sometimes you are swimming in a pool of shit” – is all at once bizarre, bewildering and emblematic of the malaise that is Boyd’s present paradigm.
Right now, if Alfie Langer’s hamstring goes, Brisbane are shot ducks.
Having these factors magically rectified is a long shot.
What the club really needs is a long-term fix.
The Broncos must overhaul their development system and list management. They have advantages that most sides can only dream of – they are a one-team town, have a massive feeder area with enormous junior numbers, a large and rusted-on membership base, and massive corporate support.
In regards to resources and support, Brisbane are the Manchester United of the NRL.
It amazes me that so much mediocrity in regards to results has been tolerated for so long.
Since winning the 2006 grand final, they have played in 20 finals matches, including three preliminary finals and one grand final.
That doesn’t sound too bad until you consider that’s an average of just 1.666 finals a year. Further, they’ve missed the finals twice and been knocked out in week one of the finals four times.
That’s ordinary, plain and simple, for a club of that stature.
Surely, with this poor start, the chickens are about to come home to roost at Red Hill.
Surely they are.
One thing is for sure though: every other team and their supporters will be fine if the Broncos maintain this mediocre status quo.
Gold Coast Bunny
Roar Rookie
If I recall the Roosters lost to the Broncos twice last year and went on to win it. Still early days to see if things improve and if Souths rise last year was due to Maquire going or Siebold’s coaching and if the Broncs have bought a good young coach or a dud.
Kurt S
Roar Pro
Just thinking out load here, but could Nikorima play hooker for 80 minutes?
Rellum
Roar Guru
McCullough put in two shocking passes in that final set. I am sure that if we had the 2019 version of Cameron Smith we would be a top 4 side.
Greg
Roar Pro
After reading the article and the comments below I cannot believe there isnt more criticism of McCullough. Several times, in attacking positions, last night the Broncos were set up one way only to go the other (where they did not have the numbers). It wasnt always McCullogh in dummy half making this wrong decision (though sometimes it was) but the fact he wasn't there is an error on his behalf. Furthermore in a team that does not have recognised game managers in the halves, the hooker, especially an experienced hooker, should be doing more to organise the forwards. The set last night that has brought about the most criticism of the halves (where they were apparently wanting to set up for a field goal) should have all been off the back of him bringing forwards onto the ball.
Greg
Roar Pro
Has the salary cap really leveled the playing field for the Broncos??? At the start of the year there was a report released by the NRL showing that the Broncos received significantly more 3rd party agreements than any other club. Whilst on paper the Broncos clubs of the past were undoubtedly filled with talent disproportional to other teams, the salary cap, in its current format, combined with the one Brisbane based team ensures they will have a massive advantage over other teams in terms of player salaries. This also does not further consider any additional factors such as cost of living differences or a reluctance for Qld based players to leave 'home' that may lead to additional benefits to the Broncos.
ken gargett
Guest
bit more to be concerned about after another woeful effort. lodge three dropped balls in a half. bird needs to coat his hands in superglue. and that set of six to try and position themselves for a field goal was possibly the worst set of 6 the NRL has ever seen. nikorima was missing all night, bar the one dart for the try. milford tried hard but trying to make him the organiser is square peg in a round hole. i know this is code-crossing but the way those two halves are playing is making bernard foley look like a combo of locky and lewis. all very well to say that they are a work in progress but between them, they have played around 240 games, milford a few origins and nikorima a few tests. they played together as kids. when does it stop being a work in progress and someone declares time of death?
Rellum
Roar Guru
You are forgetting Norths and the Falcons. The Storm have been just as active as the Broncs, and if the Broncs did have this advantage that kids would forego big money just to play with them then why aren't Smith and JT Broncs old boys now?
Paul
Roar Guru
I listened to Seibold afterwards and he just seemed to take it all in his stride, with the usual platitudes about the halves being "a work in progress", etc. I just can't see him fixing their problems with the cattle he's inherited.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
I thought it strange last year the Broncos going so hard to get a 1 year coach in Seibold. It was a risk. Also Nikorima doesn't have it. How long should they persist with him.
steveng
Roar Rookie
After last night, I take everything back about the Broncos, they are in trouble!
steveng
Roar Rookie
I've said this before, well said and good points made!
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Good post. I agree.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I take back everything I wrote yesterday. Last night was a statement game. The Broncos made a statement. “We are a rudderless, disorganised rabble”
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Thanks Beastie boy. All reasonable, if not totally convincing points. As in; How did this huge recruiting advantage manage to let Slater, Inglis, Cronk & Smith slip away to The Town Without Shadows?
Taree Raider
Guest
Tim, you forgot to mention that Brisbane is the Rugby League capital of the world. You know, that place where they pack the stadium out each and every game. The Bronco's team are like their fans, great winners each and every Friday night. I notice that Thursday's don't cut it with the fans. I like the fact that the Bronco's are only getting what they deserve. They have everything in their favour, but can't produce the result. The most loyal fans in the NRL are unquestionably the Knights, they show up no matter what. If the Bronco's get the wooden spoon, the rats would abandon the sinking ship in Brisbane. You only have to see what happens in SOO when there is a chance that QLD might loose the series, the day before the game they are still trying to sell out the tickets. The Brisbane fans, like their teams are over rated. Your points about the coach are sound. I've said it before, Anthony Seibold had a rails run at Souths, he white anted McGuire & got his job, the team he took over were brilliant, just a bit stale. Anyone could get a result with them. However they sang from the same song book week in, week out, come semi finals they went out in straight sets. Anthony was clueless. He is however the quintessential, upper management techno speak disciple that you see running the show in most workplaces these days. (Greenburg) is another example, projections, moving forward, we'll have a review, discussions around it, that type. They exude confidence, but lack substance. The Bronco's have been suckered in, five years is a long time. I bet it's a lot of money too. Who know's if they stick with Anthony Seibold, he may develop into a good coach in that time. Do I feel sorry for the Bronco's? No. Am I loving their lack of success? Yes. I particularly like that fact that they pay Milford $1 million dollars a year. I also glad that he has really achieved nothing since abandoning the Raiders. Maybe its a Queensland thing. Great winners. Would State of Origin get a crowd in Brisbane if NSW won 5 series in a row? NO. It would be abandoned. The Bronc's team & fans are strong when they are winning. I love that fact. Can free to air TV put them on Friday night 'prime' time just to prove my point about the empty fans? The Raiders are much easier to support, there is no real expectation.
RuffRayder
Guest
Who's got the popcorn?
Beergardener
Roar Pro
I was reserving my judgement till after tonight. But I agree. Mass changes need to be made
Knight Vision
Guest
The glory days of unlimited 3rd party deals is gone for the Broncos. No longer can they assemble a team stacked full of rep superstars. The recruitment of Darius Boyd at fullback by Bennett was a blunder of epic proportions. Should have kept Ash Taylor to work with Hunt in the halves and Milford should have been to Fullback - his natural position, for mine. Darius Boyd is playing like he did in Newcastle which means all is not right for him and he's not happy. He spits the dummy and doesnt put his body on the line.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Surely players like Smith, Munster, Cronk , DCE , Slater and JT grew up hoping to play for the Broncos being close to family and friends and probably accepting less money to stay. This is a massive advantage which they haven't exploited. A team like Manly has a clear advantage over other clubs in retaining the turbo brothers for less money and so has the Broncos with all their talent. Playing in front of huge crowds in a proper stadium with all the facilities on tap and money available for all the best support staff is a far cry form clubs like Manly and it should give them a big head start. The Broncos get to play Manly twice at home each year because of their financial strength and this is another factor which gives them an edge.
elvis
Roar Rookie
The trouble is the Bronco supporter demographic is also the demographic who is least able to appreciate the wisdom of delayed wish gratification. To build a football club that wins you need to clean out the deadwood and rebuild. Except the Broncos can't because their supporters go mental if they don't make the 8. Compare that to the Roosters, they know to make money you need to spend money. The current plan looks amazing to me. I saw a comment or article the other day saying to win you need a few old forwards, some in their peak 25 -30 and a few young bulls. Currently Brisbane has 2 old good ones, and a whole shedload of guys who were outstanding as juniors, the sort who most likely go on to long NRL careers. In 4 years the broncos won't just have 4 great forwards needed to win the Premiership, they will have 5 seasons with a whole pack in their prime. But will the supporters let the coach survive that long? Or will we see yet another half arsed cleanout?