Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Brisbane Broncos finals hopes remain alive in Gorden Tallis’s view, even after the club slipped to 14th on the National Rugby League ladder with only five wins.
The Broncos suffered a sixth straight defeat over the weekend, falling heavily to the South Sydney Rabbitohs and conceding 48 points in another damaging blow to their premiership defence.
The debate comes during a tough injury period across the National Rugby League, including Tui Kamikamica medical setback: Melbourne Storm prop’s NRL return delayed after stroke recovery regression, as clubs fight to keep seasons alive. Fans can follow official updates through the National Rugby League website.
Tallis Refuses to Write Off Brisbane
“I’m not game enough to write them off yet,” Tallis said on NRL 360.
“I’m not prepared to write them off yet because they can go on the run and this side has gone on a run before, but the mountain’s getting steeper.”
The former Brisbane Broncos forward has recently criticised captain Adam Reynolds and coach Michael Maguire, but he still believes the team has enough quality to respond.
That view is not shared by The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie, who said Brisbane no longer look like the side that won the premiership last year.
“I look at that Broncos side and they’ve just lost desire, they’ve lost their hunger,” Ritchie said.
“Everyone knows the respect I’ve got for Michael Maguire, but Madge is living in Disneyland if he thinks they can still make the finals.
Broncos Face Contract Questions
CODE Sports reporter Brent Read said Brisbane’s absences cannot fully explain their current form.
“The way they’re playing, they don’t even look like winning a game at the moment and that’s the concern for me.
“And they do have the capacity if Reeee Walsh catches fire to win in footy games, but they’re a long way off it at the moment. They’re a long way off.”
The slump also leaves veteran playmaker Ben Hunt under pressure as he pushes for another contract.
Corey Parker said the 37-year-old should consider finishing at season’s end.
“You don’t want people saying, ‘Hunty went one year too long,’ or, ‘The game’s gone past him’. I really wouldn’t like that for him,” he told The Courier-Mail last week.