Brisbane Broncos injury crisis: What they need to fix to make finals

The Broncos have only seven fit middle and edge forwards in their 30-man squad for the Panthers clash this weekend. They can make the finals, but they’ll need to overcome this forward crisis and damning statistical trends to get there.

Kevin Walters believes the Broncos are finals-bound but they must overcome a forward crisis and damning statistical trends to get there.

Brisbane have five forwards unavailable for Friday night’s grand final rematch against Penrith with Jack Gosiewski (arm), Jaiyden Hunt (broken hand), Jordan Riki (suspended), Ben Te Kura (foot) and Fletcher Baker (knee) all absent.

The return of State of Origin trio Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan and Reece Walsh is a godsend for Brisbane who have lost four games in a row and five of seven since their captain and key playmaker Adam Reynolds was injured.

The Broncos will have only seven fit middle and edge forwards in their squad. All will play against Penrith.

Payne Haas will play against the Panthers. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The Broncos may need to win six of their last nine games to make the finals and Walters believe they can climb the mountain.

“Yeah, definitely,” he said.

“If you have a good look at the table there are a few teams like us behind the leaders and all in the race.

“I expect us to get ourselves together sooner rather than later with some really strong performances leading into the finals.”

The Broncos lie 10th on the ladder after a patchy season with Fox Sports lab identifying some soft spots which must be addressed if they are to make the finals.

They include …

IN ATTACK

Kevin Walters needs to address some attacking stats. Picture: Liam Kidston

– Only four sides have run less metres than Brisbane.

– The Broncos have had fewer tackles in their opponents 20m than any other team.

The Broncos average 21.8 tackles inside their opposition’s 20m per game with the Roosters (24.1) and Gold Coast (24.1) next.

It’s not a totally damning stat because it could mean that Brisbane often score when they are in the 20m but it’s significant that the team who tops this list which has the Broncos last is pacesetting Penrith.

– Brisbane are 10th in tackle busts and line breaks, almost identical to the struggling Parramatta and no team has made fewer off loads than the Broncos.

IN DEFENCE

– Only South Sydney, Newcastle and the Wests Tigers have conceded more metres than the Broncos.

– Brisbane have had to do a lot of defensive work near their own line. Only the Roosters and Gold Coast have made more tackles in their own 20m. On occasions this means Brisbane’s goal line defence has been sound, on others that Brisbane has spent too much time on the back foot.

– Brisbane has missed fewer tackles than any other team though only Melbourne has conceded more offloads.

The Broncos have struggled without Adam Reynolds, losing four on the trot. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

Former State of Origin forward Scott Sattler says of the stats: “Without breaking down the numbers too deeply the big thing for me is they spotlight a lack of physicality in the middle of the field with ball in hand and also defensively.

“I’m not necessarily saying that means being the toughest player. It’s about being aggressive with things like line speed in defence or hitting holes or finding half a gap in attack. It’s winning all of those little battles across the park. They add up.

“Statistics are not everything. I know Melbourne often don’t shine that highly in a lot of team stats but they just know how to grind out a game. It is a great skill.’’

Originally published as Brisbane Broncos injury crisis: What they need to fix to make finals