NRL 2023: Brisbane Broncos’ horror six-week stretch to define their premiership hopes

Brisbane bounced back to form but are immediately staring down the barrel of a horror stretch that threatens to bring back last year’s bad Broncos and derail their season. Check out the draw.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 15: Adam Reynolds of the Broncos is tackled during the round seven NRL match between Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane Broncos at Cbus Super Stadium on April 15, 2023 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters has fired a warning shot at the NRL’s big guns as the Broncos brace for a horror six-week draw — starting with Friday night’s “war” against last year’s grand finalists Parramatta in Darwin.

Walters dismissed concerns the next six rounds could derail Brisbane’s sizzling start to the premiership, declaring “bring them on” in the wake of the Broncos’ 43-26 drubbing of the Titans on Saturday night.

The Broncos (6-1) are flying high on top of the league after seven rounds, but they now confront a torrid schedule that will determine if they can break their 17-year premiership drought this season.

Kevin Walters has fired a warning shot at the NRL’s big guns. Picture: Steve Pohlner

After taking on last year’s runners-up the Eels in steamy Darwin, the Broncos face showdowns with Souths (h), Manly (h), Melbourne (a), defending premiers Penrith (h) and the resurgent, third-placed Warriors (a).

Those final five teams are currently all in the top eight.

But rather than be daunted by the run, Walters is delighted, confident the Broncos have the attacking weapons and defensive hunger to fear no-one in the NRL.

“I reckon it’s exciting for our guys. Bring them on,” Walters said of Brisbane’s posse of premiership rivals.

“You want to play the best every week in the NRL, you want to play whoever comes up against you and we got good competition against the Titans.

“Next week, it’s the Eels up in Darwin, they will be good competition as well.”

Adam Reynolds will be the key to Brisbane keeping their hot start of the season going. Picture: Getty

Trailing 14-6 at halftime at Cbus Super Stadium, the Broncos went from bumbling to brilliant as Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds engineered 30 unanswered points in a seven-try cakewalk to bury the Titans (3-3).

While Brisbane’s sluggish starts are a concern, Walters is buoyed by the Broncos’ ability to hold their nerve, find another gear and put sides to the sword.

“The pleasing thing is when we did start to play some footy, we looked like a pretty good side,” he said.

“Everyone has identified the slow starts for us, but it’s something we have to keep working hard at.

“It (the slow starts) is a bit disappointing because we spoke about it all week, getting away to a good start (against the Titans), but it didn’t happen for us.

“Luckily, it’s week seven of 27 so we have time up our sleeve – but we have to fix it up.”

The Parramatta clash will hold vivid memories for the Broncos.

It was their 36-14 belting of the Eels at CommBank Stadium in round 19 last year that had Brisbane touted as title contenders, but that triumph triggered a shocking collapse that saw the Broncos finish ninth to miss the finals.

Payne Haas has challenged his pack to lift their level. Picture: Getty

Broncos prop Payne Haas challenged Brisbane to find a harder edge as he prepares for front-row fireworks with a monster Eels pack.

“Parramatta have the two best props in the comp and I can’t wait for that game next week, it will be a battle and a war in there,” Haas said.

“We need to lift, we need to be a bit better with the ball and a bit more patient, but it’s only the start of the season and we’re just building.

“It just shows if you go set for set, it’s hard to compete with us.

“We are a very fit team and very strong as well and if we stick to our strengths, we will be hard to beat.”