Brisbane’s plan to shut up the nonbelievers and end the club’s longest title drought

THE Broncos will shun the nonbelievers in 2018, with the hunger for their first premiership in 12 years driving them into the new season.

Josh McGuire during the Brisbane Broncos training session in Brisbane, Monday, March 5, 2018. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING

THE Broncos will shun the nonbelievers in 2018, with the hunger for their first premiership in 12 years driving them into the new season.

Brisbane will kick off their campaign for grand final glory on Thursday against the Dragons, as they look to end the club’s longest title drought.

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But their credentials have already been heavily questioned, with a number of critics suggesting Brisbane may not just struggle to make their annual goal of a top four finish, but may miss the finals altogether.

With a number of unknowns, like how Kodi Nikorima will fare at halfback and whether controversial forward Matt Lodge will be able to lead a new-look front row, outsiders believe the Broncos could struggle this season.

Kahu doesn’t see how people could be writing Brisbane off.

But for the players, there is no doubt whatsoever about what they can achieve.

Buoyed by the mantra “no excuses”, versatile back Jordan Kahu said the playing group are hungrier than ever to claim the premiership and prove the doubters wrong.

“We have plenty of international players, five or six Origin players, and I don’t know how we’ve been written off,” he said.

“Our goal is to finish the season in the top four and make a push after that. Being at a facility like this and a club like this, there’s no excuses at all to perform badly.

“I’ve been at the Broncos for eight years now and they haven’t won (a premiership) for 12.

“That’s why you come here. If it’s not your goal (to win) as a football player, you’re not here for the right reasons.”

Kahu, 27, was one of a number of big name players re-signed by the club last year, as they looked to complete their “premiership puzzle”.

Josh McGuire — who turned 28 last Friday — was another who extended his time at the club, with the maturing group aware they only have a few chances left to win a grand final together.

McGuire is coming off the best season of his career.

McGuire backed Kahu yesterday and said they don’t want to miss any more opportunities.

“We have no excuses now, do we?,” he said from the club’s new facility.

“We say it every year. You want to win a comp and that’s the plan. We lost one in ’15 and were one game away last year.

“I’m always hungry, I always want to win football games. I just want to compete and win.

“I don’t think it’s changed any more or less this year but I am another year older and it was another opportunity missed last year.”