The backlash is as bad as it’s ever been in Brisbane and few understand the pain of it better than their former NRL halfback Ben Hunt.
The St George Illawarra star played nine seasons with the Broncos and only missed the finals twice, but says the one-town, one-team mentality is brutal when success dries up.
But it’s hardly been a carnival cruise at the Dragons this season either.
Just days after they parted ways with coach Paul McGregor, Hunt spoke of how much he feels for his former Broncos teammates but can’t afford for them to turn thier wretched form around on Friday night.
Brisbane may be desperate to avoid unwanted first wooden spoon but the Dragons are doggedly holding onto their finals hopes.
“If things go bad up there everyone is coming off the back fence at you and having their say,” Hunt said before their clash at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
“It’s definitely a tough place to be when you’re not going so well and I really feel for the guys with what’s going on up there at the moment.
“I’ve still got a few good mates up there and they just can’t seem to do anything right at the moment, if it’s things off the field or injuries or blokes getting suspended.
“Hopefully they’re not too good this week, but I hope it turns around for them.”
The Dragons snapped a three-game losing streak with a tight win over premiership contenders Parramatta last weekend.
However, they are six points out of the top eight with six rounds to play.
In a boost, State of Origin prop Paul Vaughan will be free to join the Dragons from Wednesday after 14 days in isolation due to an NRL biosecurity breach.
It’s expected he will be named in Dean Young’s 21-man squad on Tuesday, but Vaughan will have just one session with his teammates should he be picked to play on Friday night.
“It’s a bit tough for him at the moment, he knows he did the wrong thing and I’m sure this weekend he’ll be able to make up for his mistakes for the team and the boys,” Vaughan’s fellow prop Korbin Sims said.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Norman at 6 & Sailor out of the 17 not the bravest first up selections by Coach Young.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Just read an article saying that Cronulla are in talks with coach John Morris to extend him. If this is true could be Flanagan is staying put & is confident of getting his ban cut? Reading between the lines of course. Also the Dragons are after Origin rep Christian Welch, anyone know anything about this guy? https://amp.nine.com.au/article/7d32ce31-1e35-41b6-941a-77e60a60666a
Andrew
Roar Pro
Even if de Belin comes back in 2021 we’ll need at least one if not two quality forwards, missing out on Adam Elliott was such a pain. I don’t rate Fuimaono & Tariq Sims is starting to get injury prone.
Andrew
Roar Pro
I’ve been against signing Pangai I think he’s trouble. But depending on how things play out Saints might end up making an offer for him. For 2021 we’ve lost Frizell, Graham, Luke, Lafai & Aitken. Kaide Ellis, Jakob Host & Tristan Sailor remain unsigned & the outcome of de Belin’s court case is undecided. Even if de Belin is free to play his intentions on wanting to stay at the Dragons for 2021 are unknown. No permanent Head Coach in place means despite having plenty of room to move in the Cap we’ll be getting to the player market pretty late. As many of us called for McGregor should have been axed much earlier so greater care could be taken neither roster management with the new head coach.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Even if you believe a quarter of the rumours coming out of Red Hill then the Broncs are a disaster behind the scenes. The playing group sounds like it is out of control, but only those in the club know the truth.
Nat
Roar Rookie
Well, Benny is qualified more than most to comment. He would have copped plenty for dropping a GF, however, his was a once-off. These guys are 'dropping the ball' every week. Still, I'll back them against the Saints - mainly because I've painted myself into the corner on this one. Scotty...
Tony
Roar Guru
You know what? You're probably right.
Adam
Roar Guru
There's about 12 clubs out there that have no self-respect. The others probably have a coach that is tough enough to make him pull his head in
Tony
Roar Guru
Based on that, I can't see any self-respecting club rushing to sign TPJ.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Craig Bellamy wouldn't put up with the rubbish some of these overrated self entitled players are going on with. Reading today where Pangai has admitted breaching the bubble 5 times. I hope the Broncos sack him. The Broncos need some tough love and if Siebold won't make the hard decisions then bring in someone who will.