NRL Finals: Kurt Capewell on how the Brisbane Broncos plan on bucking Melbourne hoodoo

They’ve lost their last 14 matches against the Melbourne Storm but former premiership winner Kurt Capewell believes this Brisbane outfit can buck the trend and make Gus Gould eat his words.

Brisbane Bronco Kurt Capewell, Red Hill. Picture: Liam Kidston

Former Panthers premiership hero Kurt Capewell believes the Broncos are ready to mimic Penrith and prove Phil Gould wrong by winning this year’s NRL title.

Capewell will make his first appearance in the NRL playoffs since playing in Penrith’s 2021 grand final triumph against South Sydney when Brisbane tackles Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

The blockbuster qualifying final against the Storm will be Brisbane’s first taste of the finals since the disastrous 58-0 loss to Parramatta in 2019.

Capewell, 30, knows what it takes to taste the ultimate success in the NRL, having been at Cronulla for the club’s 2016 fairytale and playing in Penrith’s 2020 loss to Melbourne before the 2021 victory.

Capewell believes the Broncos can challenge his old club for the premiership. Picture: NRL Imagery

That’s why he believes the Broncos of 2023 are on track to prove their doubters wrong and go all the way, beginning with a win against their kryptonite Melbourne.

The Broncos have lost their past 14 games against the Storm, including last week’s defeat at Suncorp, but Capewell reckons they’re primed to shine in September.

“We’ve been building all season for this time of the year,” he said.

“We’re continuing to get better and better. There’s new levels to our game each week.

“We rested a fair few blokes last week and have had a good two-week block to work on stuff. Hopefully that will benefit us.

“Nothing really needs to change. We’ve just got to play our footy and everyone do their job right.

“The result will take care of itself.”

The Broncos are quietly confident they can buck their losing trend against the Storm. Picture: Liam Kidston

Capewell has had a first-hand look at how defence wins premierships.

The Panthers have built their recent NRL dominance on sturdy defensive systems which suffocate their opposition then allow the likes of playmakers Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai to produce their attacking brilliance.

The Panthers only conceded 312 points in the regular season, an average of 13 points per game, compared to Brisbane’s 425 at 17.7.

Penrith’s proven defence prompted commentator “Gus” Gould to last month question Brisbane’s title credentials, but Capewell has confidence in the Broncos.

“I see a great bond off the field, superstar talent and a work ethic to be the best that they can be,” he said.

The work off the field has been the difference for the Broncos in 2023, believes Capewell. Picture: Liam Kidston

“It’s been a real driving force of our team this year – continuously getting better every week. That’s what it takes to win a comp and I think we’ve got it.

“Penrith are a great defensive team with good systems. Everyone works hard for each other.

“Every game you let a try in, there is improvement in you. Until we get a team down to zero then there’s improvement in us.

“We’ve tried to catch up to Penrith in that aspect and still play our Broncos, flamboyant style of attacking footy.

“We don’t read too much into comments from outside our organisation. We have coaches to tell us when we’re going good and bad and we rely on them to fix us up.

“It’s worked for us all year and it will continue to work.”