Broncos coach Kevin Walters anticipates he’ll have a selection headache in the first week of finals after second-rower Brendan Piakura was placed on report three times on Thursday night.
Walters admitted he was “stewing” on the 32-22 defeat to the Storm as victory would have clinched club’s first minor premiership since 2000 – and just three years after collecting the wooden spoon.
It marked Brisbane’s 14th straight loss to Melbourne and incredibly they haven’t beaten them at Suncorp Stadium since 2009. The sides could square off again at the venue next week for a spot in the preliminary finals.
“It was there for us, the opportunity was there for us to make that happen and the effort was great, but just not so smart on a few plays and we just weren’t good enough,” Walters said.
Watch every game of The 2023 NRL Telstra Finals Series before the Grand Final Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo Sports. Join now and start streaming instantly >
“After the sin-binning (to Storm winger Reimis Smith)… we just sort of stopped playing through that period and to Melbourne’s credit they defended really well with 12 men.
“We didn’t really have a bad player out there, just a couple of clutch moments we couldn’t get right.”
Walters rested a host of stars for the final-round clash, but he said Piakura was in his plans for finals and conceded he’ll likely now need a different player on this bench.
“Well he was on report three times so I daresay (he’ll be suspended),” Waltersa said.
“We have got some (selection headaches) which is a good thing, but we’re in a really strong position with our club depth.
“While it’s bitterly disappointing tonight, we’re in a really good place to move really well in the finals and that’s what we’re about.
‘RUNNING THE ASYLUM’: Bulldogs in crisis as fears grow of ‘mole’ within squad
‘GOOD IDEA’: Bellamy backs calls for NRL finals shake-up amid mass restings
‘NO ON WALKED’: Gus defends rookie coach Ciraldo amid accusations of culture crisis
“I haven’t thought about next week yet, still just stewing on the loss which leaves a foul taste in your mouth (and) in the dressing room.”
The Broncos have already clinched two home finals and will still win the minor premiership if the Cowboys upset the Panthers on Saturday night.
“If you look back over the season we’ve had, it’s been a really good one. It’s been a real push in the right direction and we still could finish first pending results over the weekend,” Walters said.
“I think if anything (this loss) will sharpen us right up, which is a good thing.”
Fringe top 17 player Xavier Willison was also injured in the match with a suspected syndesmosis and will be sent for scans on Friday.
Broncos Press Conference | 04:54
MORE NRL NEWS
‘WEED THEM OUT’: Roster cleanout fear amid ‘embarrassing’ Bulldogs claim
JUDICIARY WRAP: Rival star ‘gobsmacked’ as Horsburgh cops ban, JWH bid fails
TEAMS: Mass changes for contenders; Roosters’ crunch call as Knights fill Ponga void
‘NOTHING NEW’: Sad truth behind ‘unfair’ Latrell heat as stars rubbish claims
Discussion about this post