NRL 2023: Kevin Walters says Brisbane Broncos can win premiership
It was this time last year when the Broncos’ season spectaculary imploded with five losses in their final six games. But Brisbane coach Kevin Walters is declaring this year will be different.
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Kevin Walters has declared the Broncos can win this year’s premiership, warning NRL rivals his side is “dangerous” as fullback superstar Reece Walsh returns from suspension to lead Brisbane’s title assault.
Walters dismissed fears the Broncos could suffer another horror late-season collapse as Brisbane prepare for the run to the playoffs - starting against South Sydney at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Friday night.
The Broncos were flying in fourth spot last season when they sensationally imploded, dropping five of their final six games to slump to ninth, missing the finals by just one win.
But as Brisbane confront the final six-game stretch that destroyed their 2022 campaign, coach Walters is adamant the second-placed Broncos (13-5) will not choke again.
The cavalry is charging back for the Broncos, with vice-captain Kurt Capewell (leg) returning in last week’s 44-24 defeat of the Bulldogs, while Walsh and star prop Payne Haas (ankle) are primed to bury the Bunnies.
Walters has been tight-lipped about Brisbane’s prospects for most of the season, but the five-time premiership winner has seen enough over the past five months to know the Broncos’ class of 2023 is the real deal.
Asked if Brisbane can win this year’s premiership, Walters said confidently: “Yes, I believe that’s true.
“I just have a great belief in this squad.
“We are 20 weeks into the premiership and we are sitting where we are (in second spot).
“Are we comfortable with that? No.
“We want to keep going and the experiences from last year, across the playing group and the coaching staff, has made us better.
“We have learned from last year and everyone will see that in the next six weeks.
“I am so excited about the next six weeks, Origin is out of the way, Queensland won, you beauty, now let’s go Broncos.”
In the 25-year history of the NRL, no side has won the premiership from outside the top four and the Broncos are well positioned to clinch their first title since 2006.
Underlining their consistency this season, the Broncos have the second best defensive record this season (conceding 321 points) and the second best points differential (+115), behind only premiers Penrith in both categories.
Walsh’s return this week from a three-week ban for swearing at a referee adds further punch to a Broncos side that Walters believes is mentally tougher and tactically more astute.
“We’re a good side now, but when we find our mojo we will be very dangerous,” he said.
“Our next month of footy is a big month for us, we know this group is still finding their best footy and when we find that, we’re a dangerous side.
“We haven’t played our best football yet this season and that really excites me.
“I believe we are ready for a really strong finish.”
Queensland lock Pat Carrigan also returns from Origin duties, giving former Brisbane captain Gorden Tallis further confidence the Broncos have the firepower to challenge for the title.
“I think they are up there with the heavyweights,” said Fox Sports and NRL 360 analyst Tallis.
“There is no doubt Penrith and Souths are still the favourites but I do think Brisbane are up there.
“Brisbane are building nicely (for the premiership), absolutely.”
Former Broncos skipper Corey Parker, a member of Brisbane’s last premiership team in 2006, added: “If the grand final was played next week, yes, the Broncos would be a real shot.
“Defence to me wins comps and Brisbane are one of the best defensive teams this season.”
HOW BRONCOS WENT FROM CHUMPS TO CHAMPS
- Robert Craddock
From road kill to road warriors.
A conspicuous change in mindset has seen the Broncos underwrite their premiership challenge this season by being strongest where they were once cringingly weak … away from home.
The Broncos are quietly assembling an away win record this winter which rivals any in the club’s history.
The only loss in nine away games was a 24-16 defeat to bogey team Storm in Melbourne.
It’s true that two of the “away’’ games were at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium due to Magic Round plus a Dolphins home game but the Broncos have still been able to win in Penrith, Darwin, Gold Coast, Napier and twice in Sydney including the weekend’s triumph over the Bulldogs at intimidating Belmore.
The record could improve further this week when they play South Sydney in a Rabbitohs home game on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
The Broncos’ away record this season – strangely better than their home record of 5-4 – is all the more exceptional given the sorrowful performances of two and three years ago.
In 2020 Brisbane won just one of 10 away games and in 2021 just one of 12 as flaky outfits lack the fibre to lift a gear when challenged.
Fox League statistics confirmed the best the Broncos have ever done on the road was in the premiership year of 1992 with 10 wins and two losses.
Twice they have recorded nine wins.
There is a feeling in the club that Kevin Walters’ ‘no excuses’ mantra has played a part in the more robust attitude required to win away from home.
Wins over the Warriors in New Zealand can never be taken for granted and this season’s effort came after travel delays meant the team did not arrive in Napier until midnight and had to do a coaching clinic early the next morning.
Had the travel delays come a couple of seasons ago the side may well have unravelled but greater tolerance of life’s challenges helped the team conjure an important road win.
“They certainly have a lot more resilience now,’’ Walters brother Kerrod said. “Resilience means you just turn up and play and just overcome what adversity is in front of you.
“To make the top four you have to win as many games away as you do at home so those away games are very important victories.
“The Broncos have a tough road home but it might be a good way to go in to the finals.’’
There is no doubt cool-headed captain Adam Reynolds has played a part in helping the Broncos improve their away record.
Things started to change in round two last season when he guided the Broncos to victory against the Bulldogs in what was the Broncos’ first victory at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium since 2018.
Originally published as NRL 2023: Kevin Walters says Brisbane Broncos can win premiership
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