Broncos Slump Continues
by
Friday August 08, 2003

The Brisbane Broncos are in danger of missing the finals for the first time in 12 years if they do not arrest their worrying losing streak, after it expanded to three games with a 13-6 loss to Penrith at Suncorp Stadium.  The top of the table Panthers led 12-0 at half time, and while the Broncos dominated possession and field position for the final 50 minutes of the contest, they could only produce a solitary try.

In front of a crowd of 31180, which exceeded official expectations but still falls short of what the Broncos deserve, Brisbane showed few reminders of the attacking prowess that had them lauded as the entertainers of the 1990s in what was a drab attacking display.

Halfback Shaun Berrigan continues to impress with his ability to make breaks on his own, but he and his halves partners, tonight Casey McGuire and Scott Prince, fail to take advantage of the speed and skill in their outside backs.  Stuart Kelly, Michael De Vere and Brent Tate are noted speedsters, and none of them are being given an opportunity to show what they can do.

The Broncos' hopes of a fightback were killed off when Penrith captain Craig Gower landed a field goal with five minutes remaining.  It came just five minutes after the Broncos as much admitted their attacking ability was gone - they took a penalty goal when given a penalty five metres out.

The Panthers got off to a flying start, and as predicted in various pre-match discussions, they targeted the wing of Stuart Kelly.  The hapless former Eel was found out on three occasions in the first 25 minutes, and twice resulted in tries.  The first came when Tony Puletua ran towards his corner and dummied to Berrigan, who simply didn't have faith that Kelly and Tate could contend with Ryan Girdler and Luke Rooney.  Puletua strolled in to score untouched.

Girdler then sliced through 10 minutes later, sending the ball in field where Preston Campbell was grounded just short. On the next play fullback Rhys Wesser sliced through to score under the posts for a 12-0 lead.

The Broncos dominated the last 20 minutes of the half, forcing numerous line drop outs and scrums for repeat sets, but they never seriously threatened the Panthers' line.  Only a determined effort by Dane Carlaw early in the second half troubled the scorers, before Casey McGuire was denied by the video referee moments later. McGuire forced a loose ball from Luke Lewis in goal, but the video referee ruled that McGuire's early touch constituted a knock on, despite it appearing the stand in five-eighth was not playing at the ball.

Forwards Corey Parker, Shane Webcke and Richard Swain were outstanding, with good support from Petero Civoniceva, Dane Carlaw, Andrew Gee and Carl Webb.  However, apart from Berrigan's rare moments of brilliance and the general organsiation of Scott Prince, the Broncos had precious little to celebrate in the backline.

Meanwhile for the Panthers they had few standouts, but they played well as a team of 17.  Luke Priddis, Tony Puletua, Ryan Girdler, Craig Gower, Rhys Wesser and the Lukes Rooney and Lewis were all outstanding.

Brisbane's attacking statistics are now one of the worst in the club's history.  With just 434 points from 20 games, at an average of 21.78, only 1999 (570 points at 21.2) is worse since the Broncos began their finals streak in 1992.  Their defence is also inferior, with 388 points conceded at an average of 19.4 points per game only beaten by the 20.17 points per game they conceded in 2001.

It is also the first season the Broncos have failed to score 40 points against an opponent since 1990, with the closest being back to back 38 points against their next opponents, the fast improving Wests Tigers, and North Queensland Cowboys way back in rounds 8 and 9.

Their direct comparison against other teams in contention for the top 8 is most alarming.  Of the top 10 teams, only the seventh placed New Zealand Warriors (415) have scored fewer points, and they have a game in hand.

The Broncos' attacking problems will not be solved magically by Darren Lockyer. He has been there while the Broncos have struggled for much of the season.  Coach Wayne Bennett needs to come up with something - set plays, or new tactics - anything, because this current crop of Broncos players simply doesn't have the ad lib, instinctive attacking flair of the Broncos sides of old.

And in a premiership this open, scoring points is the only thing that matters.