Weekend Read: Why the Broncos vs. Panthers clash is the game of Magic Round

It’s easy to forget, but Brisbane’s premiership drought is coming up to 20 years. When you consider the resources at their disposal, it’s a disgrace, writes BRENT READ.

The most important game of Magic Round also happens to be one of the last.

A Sunday afternoon blockbuster between Penrith and Brisbane that threatens to end the dream of one side and ignite it for the other.

I am loath to put a line through the Panthers – this columnist has been burned before – but I can’t see a way back if they drop another game to the Broncos heading into the State of Origin period.

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As difficult as their season has been, they’ll still have a handful of players selected for NSW. As kind as the NRL has been with the draw, they still face a trip across the Tasman after Origin II.

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary. Picture: NRL Photos

Lose on Sunday and there is every chance they head into Origin anchored to the foot of the table. It’s a long way back and as good as the Panthers have been over the past five years, even they might find it difficult to drag themselves off the floor.

It’s a huge story given their dominance in recent years, but an even bigger one could emerge if the Broncos can put the cleaners through them in the penultimate game of Magic Round.

It’s easy to forget, but Brisbane’s premiership drought is coming up to 20 years.

The last of their six titles was in 2006 and while they have gone close since then, they’ve never quite finished the job.

When you consider the resources at their disposal, it is a disgrace.

The Broncos are still the biggest club in the game by most financial measures – their revenue dwarfs the rest of the NRL.

Success off the field, however, hasn’t been matched on it for nearly two decades.

They’ve churned through players and coaches. They’ve tinkered with their front office. They’ve ushered players out the door.

They’ve always been found wanting but there are no excuses this year, particularly with Penrith in a hole and struggling to dig their way out.

The Broncos’ greatest threat may come from within.

There are some pretty significant distractions on their doorstep as they deal with the futures of Payne Haas, Selwyn Cobbo and Adam Reynolds.

Haas is non-negotiable. He should and will be the priority. The Broncos need to move heaven and earth to make sure he stays beyond 2026.

Expansion to Perth hasn’t helped them, although you get the sense that Haas enjoys life in southeast Queensland and it would take something significant to convince him to pack up his extended family and move.

The positive news for Brisbane is that there has been deathly silence out of the Haas camp on his future – in previous negotiations, the spectre of rugby union has been raised to put pressure on the club.

The fact Haas has remained largely quiet suggests he isn’t interested in exploring other options, giving the Broncos every chance to keep him.

If it costs them $1.5 million a season, they need to pay it. Things are expected to get juicier when it comes to Reynolds and Cobbo.

Reynolds’ decision to play on has thrown a spanner in the works for the Broncos.

I’m with Gorden Tallis on this one. Tallis told NRL360 this week that the Broncos would be making a mistake if they keep Reynolds and it costs them Cobbo.

As good as Reynolds has been for the Broncos, he is 35 this year. Yes, he has been a quality signing. But at some point, Father Time will catch up with him.

The other issue for the Broncos is they will need to get a deal through the NRL. Head office will want Reynolds paid market value or at least close to it.

They use a range of measures to determine what he is worth – his age, what other halves are paid, whether he has any rival offers on the table.

Needless to say, Brisbane will need to use a chunk of their cap if they want to keep Reynolds around. The same goes for Cobbo, who has also shown little inclination to depart, but will come at a hefty price.

It may be one or the other for the Broncos.

It is a juggling act and they will need to tread carefully. Otherwise the drought may be extended by at least another year.

*****

Des Hasler was up to his old tricks again this week. Using a little bit of distraction in an attempt to take the focus off his underperforming club.

Hasler gave the NRL a little touch-up but a quick glance at the table suggests Hasler should have his eye on his team’s performance rather than the NRL’s decision making.

The Gold Coast Titans stunned everyone when they lured Hasler to the glitter strip to take over from Justin Holbrook.

The clandestine talks landed Hasler on a big-money deal and the two-time premiership winner was meant to be the man to launch the franchise.

Instead, his first year was an abject disappointment and his second year is heading down the same path.

Des Hasler is feeling pressure at the Titans. Picture: NRL Photos

There was a time when Hasler was at the forefront of coaching and his often bizarre antics were regarded as quirky and entertaining.

Now they seem so ho-hum. Not surprisingly, Hasler’s future is now being discussed.

Bulldogs head of football Phil Gould weighed into it on his podcast this week when he suggested the problem wasn’t Hasler.

Others are happy to point out that rugby league is a results-driven business and the walls are closing in on Hasler.

He needs to get it right or this may be the end – it’s hard to imagine Hasler getting another shot at the NRL if he is ushered out the door at the Titans.

The mere fact he ended up there surprised many given the way he exited Manly, launching legal action against the club which was eventually settled out of court.

He was meant to be the man to save the Titans. Now he is fighting to save his own career.