The Brisbane Broncos’ 2024 season would be ruled an “abject failure” if they fall short of qualifying for finals football.
Kevin Walters’ side’s September fate remains uncertain, with the club needing a perfect end to the season, and teams around them to falter, for them to make a previously unthinkable charge into the finals.
Fox League’s James Hoopers believes it would be an “abject failure” if Brisbane fall short of the top eight after going so close to winning the competition last season.
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“For them not to make the eight off the back making that grand final and the run they went on with the roster that they’ve got, it’s an abject failure,” Hooper said on Monday night’s NRL 360.
“If they don’t make the finals it’s a write off season.
“At the beginning of the year a lot of very good judges, retired champion players had the Brisbane Broncos winning the premiership.”
There have been a variety of reasons that have played into the Broncos’ poor 2024, including long-term injuries to Adam Reynolds and Reece Walsh.
The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis agreed with Hooper’s position, stating; “If they don’t play finals, they have underachieved.”
“You can sugar coat it all you like and have the positive energy or whatever they’re trying to exhibit there, but if they don’t make the finals having gone so close to winning the premiership last year it’s a massive (underachievement).”
Broncos legend Gorden Tallis agreed if the Broncos don’t qualify for the finals their season would be deemed “a failure.”
Tallis also feels the club would be disappointed in their failure to carry their 2023 form into 2024, particularly with some of the top side’s showing weaknesses throughout the season.
“They would have certainly eyed off the top four and to have a real shot. Now you see where Penrith are at and Melbourne, if they were in the top four they’d be the side that people were liking,” he said.
Heading into their Round 26 clash with the Dolphins, billed as the Battle of Brisbane, Walters’ side sit ninth on 26 points, two points behind the eighth placed Dragons but with a far superior for and against.
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According to the Fox Sports Lab, Brisbane currently have a 19.9% chance of qualifying for the top eight at the end of the season.
Carayannis “can’t see” the Broncos qualifying for the eight, despite both Walters insisting the club would after last week’s comeback win over the Eels.
“There is no if here, we’re going to make the finals,” Walters said in his post-match press conference.
After their clash with Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins, Brisbane face the Melbourne Storm, who will likely be at full strength after resting 11 players this week, in their final round of the season.
NRL 360 host Braith Anasta also believes Brisbane will make the eight, but admits the confidence from Walters and his roster is necessary at this stage of the season.
“They seem to be in this cocoon where they have the ultimate belief that they are going to make the finals and they haven’t underachieved this year,” he said.
“I love the confidence. I love the belief at this stage, because they need it.”
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