The Brisbane Broncos were, to put it bluntly, embarrassing on Thursday night.
There is no two ways around it. They were absolutely demolished by the Roosters. To the tune of 59-0. It’ll go down as one of the worst losses in club history. That’s how bad it was.
The stats don’t make for pretty reading, and nor does the history which was created in the clash.
Not only were the club held scoreless for the first time in their history at Suncorp Stadium, but they have now let in almost 100 points in two weeks, and have beaten by 50 points or more twice in the space of five games, stretching back to last year’s elimination final against the Eels.
Further to that, it’s the most points the Broncos have conceded in the opening four rounds of a season, and their worst points differential in the same time frame.
Ever.
It was those same men in blue and gold which set alarm bells ringing for Brisbane last week when they picked up a 34-6 win at Suncorp in the first game back from the coronavirus-imposed shutdown of the competition.
While that loss was somewhat forgivable, considering the circumstances attached, last night’s was simply not even close to acceptable.
To be held scoreless by a firing defence of the back-to-back premiers is one thing, but to throw nothing at them in the process is another issue in itself. The proof is in the numbers of the game, with Brisbane failing to seemingly do anything right.
(AAP Image/Dan Peled)
Just 29 sets with the ball, only 20 of them completed, 11 errors, eight penalties conceded, Jesse Arthars sent to the sin bin, over 1200 less running metres than the tri-colours, half the post-contact metres, a single line break against ten, only 60 kick-return metres. You get the idea.
Sometimes, stats don’t tell the whole story of a rugby league game, but on this occasion, they do. They told the story of a team who were well beaten, and for most of the night looked like they’d rather be anywhere else.
That was despite the Roosters being the club who had the disrupted build-up, with superstar James Tedesco ruled out on game day due to a high temperature. And that’s not to mention the other bundle of players who struggled to pass their temperature tests, according to commentators on the Nine Network.
That’s not to say the Broncos didn’t have problems of their own. They did, with David Fifita, Tevita Pangai Junior and Kontoni Staggs among the players who missed the match for the club. It also didn’t help that, the very week after they released Andrew McCullough, Jake Turpin broke his leg, forcing Corey Paix to be thrown into the cauldron on short notice.
So, while this was a young, inexperienced side with players out of position – like young prop Ethan Bullemor in the second row – it simply doesn’t matter.
The performance wasn’t good enough.
The injuries they had didn’t change their back five, so it didn’t change their complete lack of kick-return metres that might have given them a fighting chance. It didn’t change their halves combination of Anthony Milford and Brodie Croft, who struggled to grab control of the game.
What’s more, a lack of raw numbers in the forwards isn’t exactly a problem which the Broncos weren’t aware of. In their best 17 at the start of the pre-season, the rest of their 30-man squad had three forwards, and ten extra backs.
That, simply put, isn’t going to get you through a season. In this case, it didn’t even get the Broncos through a month, and while Ben Te’o is going to be a valuable signing, it’s going to take a lot more than that for Anthony Seibold to resurrect things in Brisbane.
And so, that brings us to the coach. The man Brisbane hunted from Souths, landed, then watched fumble with the team last year. They scraped into the finals, sure, but then were blown out in the first week by the Eels to the tune of 58-0.
This is one of the proudest clubs in the game, and that there is no disputing. Without taking anything away from the superb Roosters last night, the Broncos won’t stand for mediocrity, and thus far, that looks about all that Anthony Seibold is going to be able to muster.
Broncos coach Anthony Seibold (AAP Image/Darren England)
As a coach, he still hasn’t proven he has any grip over how to set up a strong attacking structure, get his players to perform for him when backs are to the wall, or demonstrated any ability to use his interchange bench effectively.
They are all major issues – issues a first grade rugby league coach should have under his grips by the time he has spent as long in the game as the current Broncos mentor. He just doesn’t though, as was evident for all to see last night when the Broncos came out and struggled more after the halftime break.
Not only that, but the manner of some of the tries let in not just last night, but last week as well, were concerning in the most extreme form, with tackles barely being attempted, and the side seemingly having no appetite for the contest.
That speaks volumes about a coach. We are seeing it in the Dragons week in and week out, and it’s only because Paul McGregor has a job that Anthony Seibold isn’t the most under pressure coach in the league.
That’s not to say the Broncos are the worst-performing team in the league, but based on expectations against results, they are right up there, and it’s hard to see the Broncos board standing by their coach without a significant run into the finals this year.
There are testy times ahead in Brisbane. Very, very difficult indeed, and they need a cool head to guide the way through.
A game against Manly on the road next week, followed by the Knights, Titans, Warriors and Bulldogs, with two trips to the Central Coast included, is going to tell us a lot more about whether Seibold is going to still have a job come January next year.
Broncos fans will hope he does, because otherwise, it could be a long winter ahead.
Crow
Roar Pro
Might be time Milford went to England.
Crow
Roar Pro
It’s already ended badly.
Crow
Roar Pro
Kyle Flanagan has scored more points than the Bulldogs in 2020
Kilgore Trout
Roar Rookie
I reckon it was the Moses influence that got Seibold over the line ... and such a long contract , with only one season as head coach under his belt . That's the only scenario that makes any sense other than the board being clueless , although there seems to be plenty of support for that theory too .
Kilgore Trout
Roar Rookie
Great point GH ...... The club could make a real statement by putting in some comfy recliners on the interchange bench ..... they will need to get Moses to sign off on that though , of course . Imagine all the side negotiations that take place ... off the record . Best of luck to the Broncos dealing with that bag of snakes .
Simoc
Guest
And you need to look at long term successful teams like the All Blacks who prepare and clean up their own dressing rooms each and every game. They don't expect or want others to do the dirty work. These Broncos stars are way above that approach. But what we saw on Thursday was a committed team against a team looking for the easy out. It was so embarrassing to watch. We've seen the team can play but currently have decided not to. That is hopeless. I blame the players. We so often see a merry go round of coaches and little change. In AFL they have worked that out and trained the coaches to delegate better eg Richmond and coach Hardwick. He should have been sacked but has won two premierships instead, thanks to the CEO backing him and sending him overseas for training.
Simoc
Guest
The league boys can't be that smart in Pommieland. The same day the UK govt. announced elite sports teams could visit without quarantine they cancelled the Kangaroos tour this year because of Covid-19 while saying they desperately needed the money the tour would have brought in. So the coach will have plenty of spare time. Basically the English League organisation appears to be lazy and stupid.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
Serious probs at the Broncs. This was their worst ever loss...4 rounds after their previous worst ever loss. I think it's clear the boys aren't playing for the coach. It pains me to say that, but I think the Broncs need to sack him pretty soon and replace him with a hardcore old school coach who deals only in tough love. They seem to need that
LeftRight
Guest
Seibold is in a no lose situation - almost anything from here is a success. Actually score some points - tick, reduce to below 50 points scored against the Broncs - tick, make some tackles - tick, change/drop players (any players) - tick, players to attend post match media conference - tick. It's a very, very cunning plan, almost infallible - as long as next week's score isn't 60 - 0.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
His "system" is to have ready made excuses for a loss. Young team, work in progress, injuries, bounce of the ball, opposition continually offside, too windy, too cold, too sunny. Hey Anthony here's my suggestion. You are CLUELESS. However you are providing me with plenty of enjoyment. Please remain in your current role. It beats watching reruns of old comedy shows.
Aiden
Guest
That’s a very astute analysis and accurate I think as to potential for success. But, 59-0, and 58-0 within 5 games, not to mention the Parra loss, that’s coaching in my opinion. I think we can expect a bottom of the table result, but blow outs like that indicate to me that the coach has not got his structures right. If you have a very young team, you surely start with defence as a minimum, at least to stop the bleeding and build some resilience for the long term . They look like they literally don’t know what they are doing. There are structures and then there are individual things that a player needs to think of defensively, and they looked lost from the first whistle. The old heads looked lost too.
Aiden
Guest
They are just class those guys. They always turn up. Past their peaks by a long way, but like all very good players they have found a way to adjust and they are always Johnny on the spot for the last ditch tackle, the intercept, backing up. Smart players. I think of you asked a lot of players, coaches and fans, it’s far better to be consistently very good over the course of a long career, than occasionally brilliant and often mediocre to rubbish ... which is Latrell. He reminds me of Coal Train, all talk and massive levels of skill but with his constantly fat belly, his regular dummie spits and the horrible way he drifts in and out of games ... I see an early retirement. He doesn’t have what it takes mentally to consistently justify the wages he seeks( that will see him get dropped earlier than expected and he’ll get bitter rather than turn things around. Harsh on a young fella maybe, but I have not heard him once take responsibility for the problems in his game. The way he handled missing Origin was telling.
Aiden
Guest
Seibold keeps talking about his system. What’s this secret system? It’s a pretty simple game. All I see is a bunch of blokes not tackling or holding onto the ball. Amateur hour.
Rob
Guest
The players missing have scored most of the Broncos points this season. TPJ 1, Staggs 4, Fafita 1, Turpin 1. and the other 18 players have managed to score 3 tries collectively. I’d also suggest TPJ, Turpin, Fafita and Stagg defence is stiffer than their young replacements. How hard would it be for young players coming out of zero football to step straight into a team up against seasoned professionals and different rules? Alex Glen struggled giving up several repeat sets because he didn’t have time to adjust? The Storm struggled to adapt with Smith and Bellamy possibly the best adaptation duo in the game.
robbo
Guest
Cam Smith Captain Coach limited minutes but enough to lead by example Peter Ryan D coach Renouf work with young backs Hodges Assitant to teach culture and manage while Cam is on field try something different all other options rubbish
thomas c
Guest
The broncos coaching position is a bit of a poisoned chalice. Seems like an honor, but expectations has been set by one of the best coaches with some of the best players. Short of poaching Bellamy or Robinson, taking the position is setting yourself up for failing to live up to standards. But there's some bad luck. Darius declined faster than expected. Bird is unable to stay on the field. They haven't got value on milford. The got a little depth in the halves when sullivan or Dearden are fit, but the backline is weak compared to the roosters' all star backline (where ryan hall can't usually get a game). If you're going to lose basically every tackle (as a reflection of the forwards) and have kids in the backs, it's going to be hard going.
Robbo
Guest
If I was running the Broncs I would sign Cam Smith as Captain Coach 40 mins a game teach the kids how to play greates mind in the game at the moment
matth
Roar Guru
And they traded Maguire as well.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Memo Seibold: Swap Boyd with Langer. They both fill the same role i.e. stand in the defence & point out instructions to the other players without getting physically involved.Does Boyd's jersey ever need washing?
Don
Roar Rookie
The perfect sort of leader they need is a Josh Jackson type. The type of bloke who works his ring out to extract everything he's got and won't cop more talented blokes than him giving any less. That said, put Cameron Smith in the Broncos calling the forwards on to the ball and even a steady Blake Green type at half in the side and these kids get direction, discipline and set completion immediately. They can change their destiny with just 2 or 3 astute recruitments and a sacrificing of one or 2 young guys. Instead they've tried to hoard their young forwards and avoid them playing for another side - to their detriment.