Brisbane started as rightful premiership favourites but their title tilt was crippled by Origin

FINAL VERDICT: They started the season as competition favourites but Brisbane couldn’t recover from an Origin hangover which saw them miss a top four spot.

Brisbane started as rightful premiership favourites but their title tilt was crippled by Origin.

THEY started the season as competition favourites but Brisbane couldn’t recover from an Origin hangover which saw them miss a top four spot.

Daily Telegraph journalists Dean Ritchie and Barry Toohey give their final verdict on the Broncos.

By BARRY TOOHEY

What went right:

Brisbane went in as premiership favourites and lived up to the tag early to be leading the competition after 10 rounds with the form of halves Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford and fullback Darius Boyd a feature. Hunt finished the season with 21 try assists with the Broncos scoring 106 tries all up, the second most in the competition to suggest there was nothing wrong with their attack. Emerging winger Corey Oates, who made his Origin debut for Queensland, led the way with 18 tries while the form and consistency of prop Josh Maguire was another major positive for coach Wayne Bennett.

Ben Hunt celebrates his try with Anthony Milford against the Rabbitohs. Pic Darren England.

What went wrong:

Their Origin hangover crippled the Broncos, costing them a top four finish and ultimately, a decent shot at the title. Brisbane lost seven of nine games during and after the Origin period between rounds 11 and 21 with a 48-6 defeat at the hands of Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium the low point. Hunt and Milford’s form slump during that period and a career-ending injury to centre Jack Reed didn’t help and while they rallied late, a fifth-place finish ultimately saw them have to go to Townsville for a sudden death game against the Cowboys which they lost in extra time.

By DEAN RITCHIE

What went right:

Everyone played a role this year — from Boyd to McGuire, Parker to Milford, Thaiday to Oates. But it wasn’t quite enough. Brisbane enjoyed another successful season while not actually winning the title. James Roberts was probably a little disappointing, as was Ben Hunt to some degree. But all others contributed. Milford was brilliant at times while Thaiday was again powerful. Parker’s exit will though hurt the club.

Corey Parker retired at the end of season 2016.

What went wrong:

Brisbane did well this year, no doubt, but they still took several steps backwards from 2015. Many felt the Broncos could kick-on from their 2015 golden point grand final loss and win this year’s premiership. They went out in week two of the finals. Brisbane lost momentum midway through the season and never really recovered. Some claim Corey Parker’s shock retirement announcement took a toll. It’s difficult to criticise a team that runs fifth — but Brisbane would have expected more given their Origin roster. Some think Brisbane are the greatest underachievers in rugby league. They haven’t win a title now in ten years. That’s a fair drought given the club’s massive fan base, resources and finances.

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Originally published as Brisbane started as rightful premiership favourites but their title tilt was crippled by Origin