Broncos’ Sam Thaiday defended by Brisbane greats over misunderstood post-match comments

BRONCOS greats have denied there is an attitude problem at Brisbane, after veteran forward Sam Thaiday remarked that Saturday’s clash with the Knights was “not about winning”.

Thaiday’s comments angered some Brisbane fans. (Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

BRONCOS greats have denied there is an attitude problem at Brisbane, after veteran forward Sam Thaiday remarked that Saturday’s clash with the Knights was “not about winning”.

In a post-match interview with Fox League, Thaiday was asked by reporter Hannah Hollis where the Knights beat the Broncos in the 15-10 upset.

Thaiday said it was Newcastle’s defence that led to Brisbane’s second-straight loss, before saying, “Tonight wasn’t about winning for us, it was about getting better than last week.”

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Thaiday’s comments angered some Brisbane fans. (Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

The comments by the Brisbane stalwart infuriated fans, with many taking to social media to question whether the remark was indicative of a bigger attitude problem at the club.

However, former Broncos stars Trevor Gillmeister and Wally Lewis defended Thaiday, with both of the belief he was misunderstood.

But while Gillmeister thought Thaiday was now regretting the comments, he did say the Broncos should remember it is always about winning.

@BuzzRothfield Sam Thaiday said that game "wasn't about winning or losing" Is he kidding himself? Broncos are losing it

— Kurt (@supitskurt) April 7, 2018

Sam Thaiday: “Tonight was not about winning, it was about being better than last week”.
Seriously??? Who goes out not to win, what a terrible attitude to have!!! #NRLKnightsBroncos #NRL

— Jalisa Gilbert (@JalisaG15) April 7, 2018

"Tonight wasn't about winning" - Sam Thaiday. Jesus that's an embarrassing statement to make #NRLKnightsBroncos

— Joel Turner (@jtindahouse) April 7, 2018

“I reckon some of it would be frustration,” Gillmeister said.

“It’s probably something he regretted saying. He probably wishes he didn’t say it that way.

“But it is all about winning. You need to win. Coaches talk about processes and going through this to get to that, but the end result is you want to win.

“People at the end of the year, regardless of what goes on, they look at the win-loss record.

“I also get a bit annoyed when, after a game, I see teams that have just been beaten laughing and joking with the bloke opposite.

“It does my head in a bit but maybe I was bit too cranky.”

Was it just badly phrased? (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Lewis also thought Thaiday’s comment was just poorly worded.

“While it doesn’t sound right, if he had his time over again he’d want to restructure his sentence,” he said.

“It’s actually about getting better and sticking to the game plan and doing it correctly.

“That’s the backbone and if you get that right you come with a vast majority of what was required to win the game.”

However, while Lewis did not think there is an attitude problem at the club, the Queensland great said the Broncos have a lot of work to do ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Warriors.

“It wasn’t their best,” he said of their performance against Newcastle.

“It was a long way from their best so they do have a bit of work to do.

“We’ve learnt in the past if you go bagging Brisbane and lighting the fuse, they leave you with egg all over your face. I’ll wait another two or three weeks to make my judgment.”