Brisbane have been dumped out of the NRL top eight and according to one of the club’s greatest players, one issue in their game has been there all season.
Despite starting the year as one of the premiership favourites, the Broncos are now in ninth spot on the ladder after suffering a third-straight loss in round 15.
Kevin Walters remained positive in the wake of the defeat to South Sydney, but many are beginning to wonder whether or not the Broncos are a genuine title contender in 2024.
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The absence of Reece Walsh and Adam Reynolds has hurt the side in recent weeks, while a litany of off-season departures have tested the depth at Red Hill as the State of Origin period enters full swing.
But according to club legend Darren Lockyer, things have been brewing for a long time and the injury to star halfback Reynolds can’t be used as an excuse.
“They are down on a bit of confidence,” he said on Nine’s QLDER.
“A lot of errors and the errors have been there all year and they haven’t really rectified that … it’s just shooting themselves in the foot.
“I don’t think it was a surprise that we got beat [by the Rabbitohs], but just the level of execution for us at the moment is a bit of a concern.
“There’s no point talking about it because they can’t get him [Reynolds] back. I think every time we talk about that, I think it’s a distraction.
“At the moment, they are trying to force opportunities without building that pressure.”
Brisbane came up with 18 errors in rainy conditions against the Bunnies, which included a number of try-scoring opportunities left out on the field at Accor Stadium.
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While the attacking prowess of the Broncos is still clear as day despite Reynolds being sidelined, Lockyer has urged them to focus on the simpler areas of the game.
“The best way to get through this is just to get back to basics,” he said.
“I think they need a reset and getting a bye and some time off will allow those younger guys to get that freshen-up that they need. When you’ve lost a bit of momentum and confidence, you’ve just got to bring it all back to the basics and start again.
“They can’t be thinking they can play expansive football – they’ve got to come back to getting their sets completed and building some confidence in the team.
“At the moment, their confidence is shot.”
Brisbane will receive two points in round 16 for the bye before taking on the Warriors.