One legendary Queenslander has already declared the Brisbane Broncos can’t make the NRL finals – but another Maroons great insists there is still hope for Anthony Seibold’s struggling side.
The Broncos entered the 2019 campaign among the premiership favourites with bookmakers and pundits but are languishing in 13th spot on the ladder with a 2-6 record after eight rounds.
And after watching Seibold’s charges cop a 38-6 hammering from ex-coach Wayne Bennett’s South Sydney side on Thursday night, legendary Melbourne Storm full-back Billy Slater declared the Broncos’ season is already over.
“I don’t think they will (make the top eight) – the attack is there but they don’t play together,’’ Slater told The Courier Mail.
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“When you are young you lack consistency, you need experience around and they are lacking that at the moment."
The Broncos play Manly, the Sydney Roosters and Warriors over the next three rounds before the Origin period.
Seibold’s men are currently four points adrift of eighth-placed St George Illawarra, who are yet to play in Round 8.
In 2018 the New Zealand Warriors finished in eighth spot with 15 victories, meaning the Broncos could potentially need to win 13 of their remaining 16 games to play finals footy.
Despite the monumental task ahead, Broncos legend and current board member Darren Lockyer concedes the top four is no longer a reality but believes his beloved club can still make the eight.
“I saw enough signs in Brisbane’s effort (against the Rabbitohs) at ANZ Stadium to suggest their season is not a total write-off,” Lockyer wrote in his Courier Mail column.
“... There is sufficient time for the Broncos to mount a rearguard fight and qualify for another finals series ... the team is in a challenging position but they are not broken.”
