Broncos winger Jamayne Isaako admits being dropped last month was a “wake up call”

Jamayne Isaako has admitted the pressure generated by his outstanding rookie season got to him this year but a stint in reserve grade acted as a major wakeup call.

Jamayne Isaako of the Broncos is chased by Kodi Nikorima of the Warriors during the Round 11 NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Brisbane Broncos at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland, Saturday, May 25, 2019. (AAP Image/David Rowland) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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Brisbane winger Jamayne Isaako admits he felt the pressure to back up from his breakout season last year and being dropped last month helped him to refocus on his game.

The 2018 Dally M Rookie of the Year was a standout in the NRL last year, scoring 11 tries and kicking 97 conversions.

His flashy footwork and ability to break the line also saw him become the poster boy for the NRL’s New Era Begins promotion earlier this year which highlighted the game’s emerging talent.

Isaako against the Warriors during their Round 11 clash. Photo: David Rowland/ AAP

However, the highs of last year could not be replicated in a struggling Broncos side in the opening rounds of the season which resulted in Isaako being dropped for a week in Round 9.

The 23-year-old said it was the “wake-up call” he needed to get back to his scintillating form.

“Playing at this level, some players take it for granted,” Isaako said.

“It was definitely a big wake-up call for me to keep competing and train as hard as I can every week to keep my spot in the team.

“There was a wee bit of disappointment.

“It’s not ideal as a player to hear that you’re getting dropped or not playing that week.

“My main focus was to train hard and earn my spot in the team. These days, there’s so many talented young kids.”

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Since his return back into the starting squad, the Broncos have won back-to-back games for the first time this year against the Roosters and Warriors.

Isaako said it had been a case of “trying too hard” rather than slacking off in the opening rounds of the competition.

“I didn’t take my spot for granted, I was just trying a bit too hard to play in the form that I left off last year.

“For me personally, if I just keep playing to my strengths every will fall into place.

“The first couple rounds, it was fresh in the back of my mind everything that happened last year.

Isaako has improved since his return to first grade. AAP Image/Darren England.

“Having that week off has given me the opportunity to refocus on how I should be playing.”

Isaako will line up against the Titans’ most prolific tryscorer, Anthony Don, when the Broncos host Gold Coast at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

He said last year’s 26-14 loss to the Titans at Suncorp Stadium had been spoken about at Broncos training this week and the players were not prepared to become complacent.

“They’re not sitting too pretty on the table but it’s a pretty tough competition,” Isaako said.

“We won’t be taking it lightly this weekend. We know the Titans have a pretty good side. We’ve prepared pretty well.

“That thrashing is still fresh in the back of our minds. This week will be no difference for us in trying to get the job done.”