Darius Boyd believes Brisbane are shaping as a genuine premiership threat

WAYNE Bennett has loosened the shackles on the Broncos and captain Darius Boyd believes Brisbane are finally shaping as a genuine premiership threat.

WAYNE Bennett has loosened the shackles on the Broncos and captain Darius Boyd believes Brisbane are shaping as a genuine premiership threat.

Boyd has revealed the Broncos made a significant change to their approach following a stuttering start to the season.

The Broncos lost three of their first five matches and were struggling to put together a comprehensive performance.

That was until Bennett tinkered with their set-up before the round 6 clash against the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium.

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Boyd says a few small changes have put the Broncos back on track.

The Broncos emerged 32-8 victors against the high-flying Roosters and haven’t lost since.

They will go into Saturday’s showdown against Manly at the Suncorp Stadium double-header in fourth spot on the NRL ladder on the back of a four-game winning streak.

“We changed a few things leading into that Roosters game and we’ve won four in a row. It’s not a coincidence,” Boyd said.

“If we keep following that game plan and structure we will go close to winning most games we play.

“There were a few people in-house that really helped. It wasn’t a big change but it’s something that seemed to really work for us.”

Just what those changes were exactly remains a closely guarded secret at Red Hill. But it boils down to the talented Broncos players being given more freedom to play what is in front of them.

Bennett allows his halves to patrol either side of the field and wants ball-playing forwards to add another dimension to Brisbane’s attack.

The Broncos boast plenty of brilliance in Anthony Milford and Boyd while lightning centre James Roberts has also found his feet in the team and has become the strike weapon Bennett was hoping for.

The Broncos have scored at least 24 points in each game during their four-match streak and Boyd said the new approach was providing results.

“We’re trying to play to everyone’s strength and letting them play what they see,” he said.

“Knowing what each individual brings to the team and playing to those strengths instead of being too structured. It wasn’t a big change but it was timely. We had been too conservative for a while.

“In that Roosters game we threw the ball around and completed really high. We did the same (in the 32-18 win against the Panthers).

“We’ve got so much skill in the team. We need to use it.”

The training ground work has paid off for Brisbane. Photo: Annette Dew

Broncos winger Corey Oates has noticed a change in Brisbane’s attack from the flank.

“It’s paid off for us,” he said. “We’ve started scoring some good points. We like playing off the back of things and getting that momentum.

“Ever since we’ve loosened up, we’re playing a lot more freer and the boys are gelling together really well. We play a lot better when we just play what’s in front of us and have some fun with the ball.”

Originally published as Darius Boyd believes Brisbane are shaping as a genuine premiership threat