Broncos fans give it back to critics who wrote off 2025 NRL premiership hopes
The critics got it very, very wrong about the Broncos and now fans are letting them know about it.
Brisbane’s 26-22 victory over the Storm in the grand final was as much about silencing the long line of pundits who insisted they didn’t have the mettle to go all the way as it was breaking the club’s drought.
We kept the receipts and outlined who said what about the Broncos' chances – and now fans are weighing in with their thoughts.
With Michael Maguire’s side languishing 11th in June many wrote off a finals charge, saying mixed form and injury had taken too much of a toll.
Polarising former NSW coach Phil Gould didn’t entirely write them off, but claimed they didn’t have the resilience to overcome setbacks.
Commentator Andrew Voss called them pretenders.
While Immortal Andrew Johns questioned their belief and desire at times.
Within three months the club had overcome the obstacles to clinch a seventh NRL premiership.
Footy fans are now having their say, many claiming the criticism of the club throughout the course of the season was fair … at least at the time.
Others are calling for an apology from those who took potshots, while some readers are simply embracing the fact some media personalities got it so wrong.
See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>
WHAT YOU SAID
Get over yourselves, Qld
PatrickJ
All of that criticism was spot on at the time it was made. Which comment or comments were not? Qlders carrying on as though this was the first grand final ever played. lol
Robert
I think several of the Broncs should thank Reece Walsh for their premiership ring because without him they had no chance of winning, With the exception of Walsh, Haas, Carrigan Storm were a far better side.
Jason
Let’s face it they haven’t been dominant all season, they had a really good run at the back end of the season so yes I understand each one of the comments from the experts
Neville
I think when all the celebrations are over, the team has to have a good look at how they won. If Reese Walsh is not on the field, the Storm would have won by 15 points. Papps would have scored two tries. As the defence let through two line breaks late in the game. We (and I have been a Bronco’s member for over 25 years) don’t want to become a one man show. Walsh had to save three certain tries late in the game. The Team will have to improve next year if they want to be like the Panthers.
Grant
Bronco fans very quick to whinge and complain about referee’s but when the ref’s gift you 3 finals matches in a row no one Thanks them — Very funny that ......
Linda
There’s been a large element of luck, don’t deny it.
Proved them wrong
Ian
The biased nine and fox commentary teams should be made to be impartial. So against any team outside Sydney. So sick of commentators and johns and fittler shooting their mouth off each game proven wrong 90 per cent of the time. Just commentate
bruce
They are all has beens who think we must listen to them because of their past. I found some of their criticisms to be shallow and without understanding. History now shows none of them got it right.
Cynthia
We are the premiers, and we played like the premiers to be when it mattered. Woo Hoo. We won don’t care what people think. Well done to both the women’s and the men’s teams.
John
Greg Alexander always has a problem with Queensland sides and he should have more unbiased common sense!
Nico
Oh please … History will always show the Broncos are 2025 premiers and it also shows that those that whinge about referees are fans of teams that lost.
They weren’t wrong
Katie
I think a fair bit of that criticism was fair at the time it was stated. Having said that and allowing for injuries setting the team back on several occasions the boys did a magnificent job to get to the GF let alone win it and come from behind yet again. Makings of a great NRL side that could dominate in the next few years if the salary cap allows the core players to stay together. Obviously will need new halves pairing after Reyno and Huntie hang up the boots.
Cynthia
It’s sport, and people will always pass comments (positive and negative).
Chris
There was actually nothing wrong with some of those comments! What Gould said was ok. Brandy said IF that’s what they said then....... Some of the comments were true at the time. We did look lost there for quite a while.
Suzanne
To be fair a lot of those comments were fair at the time they were said. The context for some is also lost in the retelling.
Apology please?
Realist
Where’s the comments from the media identities that have been bagging them all year and still wouldn’t admit they were wrong after the GF?
bruce
That lot that bagged the Broncos love doing it and do so at every opportunity. None will be man enough to come forward and compliment the club. Congratulations Broncos.
Raymond
I am waiting for comments from the former players who were so critical of Maguire replacing Kevin Walters, Tallis in particular had a lot to say
MCMLXVI
I’d rather revisit the comments from “supporters” who said that they would abandon the club because Walters was sacked and a NSW person took his place. One, in particular, has been very vocal on here in the last couple of days about how wonderful her Broncos are. I guess all is forgiven now huh?
Carol
As I recall, a portion of fans didn’t want Maguire when he was named as Walter’s replacement, then called for Maguire to be sacked when they had the horror period of losses, went so far as saying he was a Blue sent to ruin their chances and then you have the sledging and call for sacking of Trent Barrett. A lot of Bronco fans were no better than the experts etc!
Bruce
They all have egg on their faces now Go the Broncos
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