Emergency sires ring as Broncos need a miracle to reach finals

By Chase Christensen  

The alarm bells are ringing loudly at Red Hill as the Brisbane Broncos find themselves in a desperate battle to save their season. After winning the premiership in 2025 and entering this year with hopes of going back-to-back, the Broncos now face the very real possibility of missing the finals altogether.  

Brisbane's season has taken a dramatic turn for the worse following six consecutive losses. What was once a campaign filled with promise has quickly become one of frustration and disappointment. The Broncos have not only struggled against quality opposition but have also suffered defeats to the two teams sitting at the bottom of the ladder, the Gold Coast Titans and St George Illawarra Dragons.  

The low point of their season came in Round 15 when they were completely outplayed by the South Sydney Rabbitohs, suffering a humiliating 48-6 defeat. That performance put a full stop on any excuses and highlighted just how far the Broncos have fallen from the side that lifted the prestigious trophy less than a year ago.  

One of the major concerns for Brisbane has been the form and fitness of some of their veteran players. Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt have both enjoyed outstanding careers and played key roles in helping end the club's premiership drought in 2025. However, signs of age are beginning to show. Injuries and fitness concerns have limited their impact at times, making it difficult for the Broncos to consistently compete with the younger and more energetic teams in the competition.  

While the contributions of Reynolds and Hunt should never be forgotten, Brisbane must begin looking towards the future. Young halfback Thomas Duffy appears ready to take over as the club's long-term playmaker and should be given the opportunity to become the full-time halfback from next season onwards.  

At the same time, Ezra Mam faces an important period in his career. The talented five-eighth has shown glimpses of his ability but must find greater consistency if he wants to remain a guaranteed starter every week. If his performances do not improve, Brisbane already has another option waiting in the wings, with highly regarded recruit Jonah Pezet set to arrive in 2027.  

The Broncos' finals hopes are hanging by a thread. Based on previous seasons, Brisbane will likely need to win eight of their remaining 10 matches to secure a place in the top eight. That task would be challenging for any team, but it becomes even more difficult when considering their upcoming draw.  

All seven of Brisbane's next opponents currently sit inside the top eight on the ladder. Every week presents another major test, leaving little room for error. A single poor performance could be enough to end their finals hopes entirely.  

Even if the Broncos manage to produce a remarkable turnaround and qualify for September football, winning another premiership appears highly unlikely. History is not on their side. No team that has finished outside the top four has gone on to win the grand final, meaning Brisbane would need to achieve something never seen before in the NRL era.  

Adding further pressure is the growing discussion surrounding coach Michael Maguire. Reports and rumours suggesting that Maguire's intense training methods may be contributing to the team's struggles have gained traction following the disappointing first half of the season. Whether those claims are accurate remains unclear, but the scrutiny will only increase if results fail to improve.  

Despite the difficult circumstances, the Broncos cannot afford to look too far ahead. Their focus must remain on taking each game one week at a time. A few victories strung together could quickly change the mood around the club and rebuild confidence within the playing group.  

After all, Brisbane proved last season that momentum can be a powerful thing. Their chances may be slim, but if they can rediscover their best football soon, they may still have enough time to spark something special and keep their season alive.