Brisbane captain Darius Boyd says lack of expectation in 2018 will help Broncos

MOST captains get defensive when asked about not having what it takes to challenge for a finals spot. Not Darius Boyd — he welcomes the Broncos’ detractors.

GO on, write off the Broncos. That’s exactly what they want.

Most captains get defensive when asked about not having what it takes to challenge for a finals spot.

Not Darius Boyd — he welcomes the detractors.

In fact, the naysayers are doing his side a favour.

“I hope people write us off because it’ll make our job easier when it comes to actually going out there and playing a game without all the pressure,” Boyd told The Daily Telegraph.

“We got written off that we wouldn’t make the finals last year but then were one game away from the grand final.

“So I think while the pressure is probably on other teams ... we’re not getting pumped up as having a chance and that’s fine.”

MENINGA: Milf can solve Brisbane’s biggest issue

Darius Boyd says the Broncos have proven their doubters wrong before. Pic Peter Wallis

Since that preliminary final loss to eventual premiers Melbourne last year, the Broncos have seen playmaker Ben Hunt, forward leader Adam Blair, Tautau Moga, Jai Arrow, and Herman Ese’ese leave the club.

Boyd does concede that on paper the Broncos will be fielding a weaker team than we’ve come to expect from a Brisbane side presided over by master coach Wayne Bennett.

But he says any questions about talent and depth are off the mark.

“I see where they are coming from, we’ve got an unknown squad and a young squad but I’m very excited with the group we’ve got,” he said.

“I’m really looking forward to playing behind the forward pack we’ve got and our backline with their attacking style and flair which is always exciting.”

One of Brisbane’s question marks is hanging over Corey Oates, who is eyeing a switch into the backrow in 2018.

The 23-year old started his NRL career on the flank but was always touted as a forward thanks to his towering frame — he stands at 192 centimetres and weighs in at 105 kilograms.

“He trialled really well in the backrow, he also had a bit of time on the wing and scored a try on the weekend,” Boyd said of Oates.

“He is probably our best winger but in saying that if he wants to play backrow then that’s probably a discussion he and Wayne [Bennett] have to have … whether he starts on the bench or if he starts on the wing.”

Anthony Milford during Broncos training.

Jonus Pearson is said to be the frontrunner in the battle take over from Oates on the left edge but he has some competition from Jamayne Isaako, who starred at fullback against the PNG Hunters on the weekend.

“Both of them are neck and neck to be honest,” Boyd said.

“Both have great ability and they both bring different things so that’s actually a tough decision, it’s probably a coin toss between the two of them right now.”

Boyd is expecting big things from playmaker Anthony Milford this year, who he believes is ready to stand up and take ownership of the side.

Milford has always been the creative cog in Brisbane’s attack but the departure of Hunt means he’ll team up with Kodi Nikorima in the halves. Without an established halfback it’s expected Milford will do more of the organising.

“He’s at that age now where it probably is his team now, with Ben Hunt gone,” he said.

“There’s Kodi [Nikorima] there too but he’s new to the role. It’s definitely up to Milf to take control and lead the team.”

Originally published as Brisbane captain Darius Boyd says lack of expectation in 2018 will help Broncos