NRL 2021: Broncos need to step up for Titans clash, Gorden Tallis

The Broncos have given us a taste of what to expect under Kevin Walters but now they need to step up, writes Gorden Tallis.

The Broncos have given us a taste of what they stand for under Kevin Walters – now the challenge for Brisbane is to not take a backwards step in what shapes as a massive Queensland derby.

The Broncos showed promising signs in Friday night’s 24-16 loss to Parramatta at Suncorp Stadium.

They led 16-0 at halftime in Walters’ first NRL game as head coach and if not for injuries to Matt Lodge (hamstring), Xavier Coates (neck) and John Asiata (shoulder) would have won.

The Broncos ran out of gas in a taxing Round 1 encounter against a quality Eels team that had put 118 points on Brisbane in their previous three encounters.

Put Payne Haas (suspended) and Kotoni Staggs (knee) into that Broncos team, and a little more luck with injuries on the night, and they win the game – no doubt.

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The Broncos have given us a taste of what to expect under Kevin Walters... now they need to keep moving forward. Picture: Getty Images.

That is a huge turnaround from a team that conceded 624 points in 20 games last season at an average of 31 per match.

The most impressive aspect of Brisbane’s performance was the effort and attitude in defence.

They rattled the Eels early with their energy off the line, placing Parramatta’s playmakers under pressure to put themselves in the box seat to win the game.

It was the best control Broncos five-eighth Anthony Milford has shown in years.

He took ownership of the team in the first half and produced great passes and kicks.

It was the Milford of old and he has made no secret of the impact Walters has on him as a player.

Brodie Croft did his job at halfback. He was backing up in support, having the odd run and kicking.

Jake Turpin was fantastic at hooker with 47 tackles, including some bone-ringers on Parramatta’s big men.

I had no answers for what was going on last year as the Broncos spiralled out of control to finish the season dead last.

Brisbane started off with a perfect first half against the Eels, but fell apart in the second. Picture: Getty Images.

While they lost to the Eels, there was very little in the game and it could have gone either way. The Broncos didn’t get many decisions going their way.

All of the tries the Broncos conceded could have been avoided with some marginal defensive improvements and experience.

Eels winger Blake Ferguson is a sensational finisher, but more experienced defenders would not have allowed him to get the ball down in the corner.

That is just one example of an area the Broncos will only improve in with time, patience and experience. They will learn from that.

There was not one Bronco that didn’t want to win that game and they all tried their hardest for 80 minutes.

With injuries to key players, they are already facing adversity after only one game in a 25-round season.

But there are no breaks in the NRL and the Broncos will have their character tested again when they face the Gold Coast Titans on Friday night.

Cbus Super Stadium will be rocking for what shapes as a mouth-watering derby after the improvement the Titans showed last year.

The south east Queensland derby has been a bit flat in recent years, but Titans recruit David Fifita’s first game against the Broncos will add another dimension to the game.

The Titans have long played second-fiddle to the Broncos but will now fancy themselves against a bruised Brisbane side coming off a tough season.

The Broncos are already facing challenges but must keep moving forward if they are to continue the long task of rebuilding Red Hill.

They have set a platform and must not go backwards.