Cooper Cronk calls out concerning Broncos dressing room act amid Roosters loss

NRL legend Cooper Cronk has called out a concerning act from Broncos players before their shock loss to the Roosters on Friday night.

NRL legend Cooper Cronk has taken aim at the Broncos for being complacent against a far weaker Roosters outfit.

Brisbane were stunned by the Tri Colours 26-16 on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium, just five weeks after they thrashed them in the reverse fixture in Round 1.

FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE in 4K with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.

And while Broncos coach Michael Maguire denied his side expected to power through the Roosters again, damning footage pre-game shed a different light on the situation.

Ahead of the match, Fox League picked up several Broncos players joking around in the sheds, leading to Cronk hypothesising criticising Brisbane for expecting success and looking for “shortcuts” when things got tough during the match.

“It doesn’t tell you all the story – but it gets you a little bit of a snippet of the mindset of what the team is about to run out on the field (with),” Cronk said on Fox Sports.

“And there was just a little bit of joking around with the Broncos, a little bit of sort of … not complacency, but not truly being dialled into where you need to be every week in the NRL.

Cronk also noted that the Broncos clearly lacked in the effort areas.

“This is a very good team, it’s arguably well-balanced better than most teams.

“So when they put it together, we’ve seen what they can do.

Broncos players were joking around pre-match. Image: Kayo

“But the consistency piece is still a struggle for most teams, unless you’re the Dogs or the Melbourne Storm at the moment.

“There was a little bit of … call it looking for shortcuts in that first half. Looking for the big play every play to win it. Adam Reynolds was arguing with the referee a little bit. So there was a couple of little things.”

Post-game there were no excuses from Maguire, with the Broncos coach simply saying they just weren’t good enough.

However, when asked if the Broncos were “complacent” after they thrashed the Roosters 50-14 a month ago, he got his back up.

“No. You can’t be complacent,” Maguire responded.

“Look at the games. Any team (can win) at the moment. We got the Roosters in Round 1 then they beat the four-time premiers.

“If you’re thinking like that, you’re kidding yourself.

“Harsh lesson tonight. We didn’t play well tonight and now we have to turn up next week. That’s what the game demands.”

Originally published as Cooper Cronk calls out concerning Broncos dressing room act amid Roosters loss