Under siege, valiant, yet all but finished: Broncos’ defeat poses mission impossible

As miraculous as the Broncos’ charge to last year’s premiership was, their defeat to the Sharks on Saturday night has ensured they will need to produce something even greater just to remain in finals contention.

Missing State of Origin stars Reece Walsh, Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas, Brisbane were valiant but ultimately error-riddled in a 28-16 defeat at Suncorp Stadium – their eighth-straight loss as Cronulla flyer Sione Katoa helped himself to a hat-trick.

In two of the three seasons since the Dolphins joined the competition – bumping the NRL campaign to 27 rounds – the eighth-placed side finished on 32 completion points, meaning the defending champions will likely need to win each of their remaining eight clashes to stand a chance of lining up at the business end of the year.

A costly attempted offload from Grant Anderson which went straight into Billy Burns’ lap gifted the chance for Katoa’s first try, before a clever chip behind from halfback Nicho Hynes created his second.

Despite Brisbane hooker Cory Paix barging over at close range to get the hosts back in the hunt, a magic cutout pass from Braydon Trindall handed Katoa his third on a platter 15 minutes into the second half. Fullback Will Kennedy then strolled through soft defence to seemingly seal the result.

A pinpoint grubber from Tom Duffy was well chased by Hayze Perham to get the premiers back in the hunt, with the latter firing a perfect long ball for Deine Mariner to score in his first game back since suffering acute compartment syndrome in his leg back in round nine.

But a Kotoni Staggs knock on with Brisbane on the attack landed straight in the hands of Trindall, who raced 60 metres to seal the contest.

In addition to their Origin stars, the Broncos were without injured contingent Adam Reynolds (calf), Ezra Mam (shoulder), Aublix Tawha (ankle), Jack Gosiewski (ribs) and Corey Jensen (pulmonary embolism), while Josiah Karapani had been stood down after being pinned for a string of traffic offences.

Billy Walters will make his second Queensland Cup appearance on Sunday as he eases back from a ruptured ACL, while edge forward Brendan Piakura was forced off with concussion after copping two high tackles in quick succession.

Cronulla’s win also lifts them to the cusp of the top four, currently only trailing the Dolphins (who play Newcastle on Sunday) on points differential.

Halves under the pump

As Hynes signalled his intent early, running the ball in the opening set and poses questions of the defence, the Brisbane partnership of Ben Hunt and Duffy combined for just 65 running metres and rarely – if ever – challenged the defensive line.

Too much of the attack was directed through the under-strength forward pack, and strike centres Staggs and Gehamat Shibasaki were given limited opportunities to get into the game.

Mistakes also cost Brisbane dearly, with knock ons from Xavier Willison, Jordan Riki, Preston Riki and Perham all coming inside Cronulla’s 20-metre zone. Staggs’ fumble also occurred on the attack.

In contrast, Hynes – aside from some first-half goal kicking woes – cut a far more confident figure, and appeared eager to run the ball whenever possible. He finished with 94 metres from 12 carries, while laying on tries for Katoa and Kennedy in a commanding display.

Willison the future

Throughout what has turned into a nightmare Brisbane season, one shining light has been the emergence of Xavier Willison as a genuine long-term starter.

Signed until the end of 2027, the Kiwi enforcer looms as a man who must be extended at Red Hill, particularly as Haas prepares to depart for the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Even with New South Wales prop Mitch Barnett arriving at Red Hill, the uncertain future of Jensen will all but ensure Willison claims a permanent starting spot next year.

Broncos chief medical officer Dr Matt Hislop confirmed this week Jensen’s blood clots in his lungs remained, and he would undergo blood tests in under three weeks to determine whether there was an underlying autoimmune issue.

If those tests come back positive, he will likely need to remain on the blood thinner Warfarin for life, and would be unable to play contact sport.

Willison ran for 102 metres and finished with an incredible 54 tackles – missing just two – to keep Brisbane in the fight, while interchange prop Ben Talty offered some support (126 metres).

The 23-year-old has announced himself as a genuine long-term leader of the Brisbane engine room, and his retention must be a key priority for club hierarchy.