Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Brisbane Broncos finals hopes are hanging by a thread after five straight NRL losses left the reigning premiers 12th on the ladder less than a year after winning the competition.
The Broncos now risk becoming the first defending premiers to miss the finals the next season since the Wests Tigers in 2006, with pressure growing before their clash with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
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Broncos Slide Raises Alarm
Foxsports.com.au’s Paul Crawley said Brisbane’s drop has reached crisis point after a run of poor results.
“They’re gone. They’re gone. They’re herding towards one of the biggest disasters for a reigning premier we’ve seen in 20 years,” Crawley said.
“The fact of the matter is that there hasn’t been a reigning premier that’s missed the finals since the Tigers missed it in 2006 after winning the comp in 2005.
“This just shows how rare it is and they’re at that stage now that they’ve let themselves down in recent times.
“Even if they sneak into the finals, they can’t lose one more game of their remaining games to finish top four; they’re gone and it’s been an absolute slide off a cliff.”
Official NRL fixtures and ladder updates can be followed through the NRL website.
Leadership Questions Grow
Crawley pointed to the loss of assistant coach Ben Te’o, the future exit of Payne Haas and the handling of Ezra Mam as issues surrounding the club.
“It’s so many things at that club just don’t add up at the moment, and Ezra Mam is another one,” Crawley said.
News Corp reporter David Riccio said the concern now stretches beyond this season, with Adam Reynolds moving toward the end and doubts around the long-term future of Pat Carrigan.
“What’s concerning with this major franchise is this premiership window is shrinking by the minute and I fear for next year big time.
“When you look at the Penrith and Melbourne they stay there entrenched with premiership aspirations and not for the Broncos.”
Brisbane still have talent across the squad, but their defence and game management have fallen away at the wrong time.