Brisbane still confident despite form

[Super Freak]

Brisbane captain Corey Parker insists that his Broncos side are still confident, despite a run of poor performances that have seen last year's grand finalists slip from top of the table contenders to top eight battlers.

The Broncos deny they are in crisis, but it's hard to believe them after conceding 88 points in a fortnight.

Brisbane are now just two points inside the top eight, with the once-premiership favourites being jumped by the Canberra Raiders and Canterbury Bulldogs over the weekend– leaving Wayne Bennett's team sitting in seventh.

A slump over the Origin period is nothing new for Brisbane, but it's the side's lack of defensive effort that is raising alarm bells at the club after another smashing on Friday night.

But Parker said his squad are still full of confidence, with the 34-year-old making the claim that the Broncos are beginning to improve.

"The confidence in the group is still there," Parker said.

"Obviously it's hard not to notice the scoreboard over the last couple of weeks but it's about moving forward.

"I do think we are improving and these past couple of weeks have been a learning curve for the young blokes in the side.

"There's still a long way to go in the season and I know we'll get better."

But it appears Parker's confidence is not felt entirely throughout the playing group, with second-row forward Alex Glenn admitting that he and his teammates are struggling to keep their heads up.

"You're obviously going to drop a bit of confidence after our most recent results," Glenn said.

"I do think it's taking its toll on the boys, but it's at times like this that we have to stay strong and stay together as a unit.

"We can only get out of this situation by doing the hard yards as a group.

"The bye is a good opportunity to freshen up and then we'll come back and work very hard towards the end of the season."

Glenn's honesty gives a great insight into the struggles Brisbane's squad are facing after losing six of their last eight matches.

The bye this week has come at the perfect time, but it's most likely that six members of the squad won't get a break as they leave for Queensland Origin duty on Monday.

Parker, Matt Gillett, Corey Oates, Sam Thaiday, Josh McGuire and Darius Boyd are all likely to back up after Game Three, with Brisbane travelling to Sydney in Round 19 to play the struggling South Sydney Rabbitohs in a must-win clash for the Broncos if they are to turn their form around.

Oates suffered concussion on Friday night, but is expected to be fine to play for the Maroons in Game Three.

Brisbane still confident despite form - NRL.com

 

[Sproj]

I'm actually getting worried at how many concussions Oates has had.

 

[jarro65]

I'm actually getting worried at how many concussions Oates has had.

So am i.

Admittedly his last head knock was an accidental knock by a team mate (Glenn) but he isnow getting belted far too often...particularly on his hitups from deep in our own half.

Opposition defenders are really aiming up on him now and smashing him.... maybe he needs to learn to put a late stepon before he reaches the line .... purely to protect himself.

 

[lionred]

I agree. While i really rate Corey he shows very little footwork.

In relation to above article, I have noticed a lot of the senior players when asked about the form slump, keep throwing back to, oh we have a lot of young guys or like the above - its a learning curve for the young blokes. I find this is trying to take the focus off the real issue going on.

My opinion is that our young players cannot be the excuse because it is some of our favourites and experienced that need to start performing or at least getting it together.

 

[Super Freak]

The contrast between Parker's and Glenn's response is quite telling.

I've always held the view that Corey is a leader but a terrible chief. When he was announced as sole captain this year, I feared for our cohesiveness after reading and hearing of separate factions between senior and junior players over the years. The old school approach is just old school. New tricks needed.

There have been quite a few rumours over the years that Parker is a massive wanker. Mainly from fans, about how he can be quite abrasive and mistreats the U20's boys.

Although, it's never been confirmed.

 

[Mister Wright]

Maybe WB realised this, hence the tap on the shoulder. It makes some sense to me at least.

That doesn't make sense. Bennett would know Parker well enough and wouldn't have given him the job in the first place if that was the case. Bennett isn't the kind of coach who would give someone the captaincy just for tokenism.

 

[broncsgoat]

<----- I met CP and having heard he was a wanker previously I was a bit hesitant to approach him. He was very engaging when we spoke and seemed like a nice enough guy. Was a day after we had a loss a couple of years back as well.


Being a supercoach tragic I ended the conversation with 'Nice to meet you God', which drew a bit of a look but thats to be expected haha.

 

[winslow_wong]

I was trying to say it nicely, but wanted to say what you said. I love his contribution as a team member and incredible football player, but the rest seems quite toxic.

TBH, I thought the same way about Hodgo's (not personality-wise) appointment last year after he repeatedly undermined Maranta's confidence in previous years. He proved me wrong about him as a captain and again about Maranta. The bloke didn't deserve to be there.

Maranta sucks. Hodges knew it, and if hodges says you suck then you suck.