Darius Boyd says the Broncos don’t have the same hunger as last season

[Russell Coight]

[FONT=&amp]DARIUS Boyd has bucked the trend of the Broncos denying there is a crisis at Red Hill, revealing Brisbane are battling to the find the hunger needed for premiership glory.
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[FONT=&amp]The Broncos slumped to their seventh loss in nine games against the lowly Roosters in Sydney on Thursday night.
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[FONT=&amp]The 32-16 defeat wasn’t as bad as the trainwreck loss to Penrith last week, however it was against a side that is higher on the ladder than just one team — the one-win Newcastle Knights.
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[FONT=&amp]Brisbane are unlikely to drop below sixth on the ladder this round, however they could be five points outside the crucial top four if Canberra beats South Sydney tomorrow.
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[FONT=&amp]Captain Corey Parker denied the Broncos lacked energy when they trailed Penrith 18-0 and coach Wayne Bennett said the same after the Roosters loss.[/FONT]

[FONT=&amp]Boyd offered a frank assessment of Brisbane’s struggles, admitting the Broncos needed an attitude adjustment if they were to be any threat in the finals.
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[FONT=&amp]“It’s definitely attitude. That’s all it is really,” he said.
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[FONT=&amp]“You look at the teams playing well and teams that aren’t. Whether you’ve got a good roster or not, if you turn up to play anyone can win on their day.
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[FONT=&amp]“It’s a lot about the mental side these days. The competition is so tight.
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[FONT=&amp]“It’s definitely something (to do) with that, especially our defence at the moment.
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[FONT=&amp]“As a whole our effort to support each other, run hard, tackle hard and be enthusiastic is there in patches but not for the whole game.
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[FONT=&amp]“We’ve got to play well before we can think about the ladder and where we finish. If we don’t turn it around then we won’t even worry about the finals.”
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[FONT=&amp]Bennett highlighted Brisbane’s injury and suspension woes as the major reason for their dip in form.
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[FONT=&amp]The Broncos will welcome back Origin stars Sam Thaiday and Josh McGuire from suspension for next Thursday’s trip to face the Dragons while Matt Gillett (shoulder) should also be fit.
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[FONT=&amp]Jordan Kahu (pectoral) and Kodi Nikorima (shoulder) are also nearing return but Boyd said the Broncos couldn’t blame a lack of quality players for their performances.
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[FONT=&amp]“It’s definitely bigger than that,” he said.
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[FONT=&amp]“We’ve done it in the past when we’ve had players out and still got the job done.
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[FONT=&amp]“For whatever reason our effort and energy is not where it used to be.[/FONT]

[FONT=&amp]“It comes down to the 17 (players) we’ve got on the field. At the end of the day if we want it, we can do it.[/FONT][FONT=&amp]“For whatever reason we just don’t seem to have it there.
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[FONT=&amp]“Injuries and everything else like wingers going off early (Lachlan Maranta concussed) in a game compounds it.
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[FONT=&amp]“We are struggling a little bit. Missing those guys definitely matters but in saying that, we need to be better for sure.”
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[FONT=&amp]Even Cowboys coach Paul Green has been stunned by Brisbane’s downward spiral after the Broncos won seven of their opening eight games.
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[FONT=&amp]Green last year architected North Queensland’s stunning grand final defeat of the Broncos and backed Brisbane to bounce back before the finals begin in five weeks.
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[FONT=&amp]“It has shocked me,” Green said.
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[FONT=&amp]“Well I don’t know if shocked is the word, but they are down on confidence.
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[FONT=&amp]“They just have to scrap a win out and they will get some confidence eventually.
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[FONT=&amp]“They are full of good players so it’s only a matter of time before they find their groove again.”[/FONT]

 

[Alec]

Don't have the same hunger? I guess losing a grand final satisfied them?

 

[Super Freak]

This has happened to every club that has lost a Grand Final the way we did..

I was afraid it would happen, but I didn't think they would be this fucking bad.

 

[Nashy]

Parker and the Broncos constantly denying there is anything wrong is a fucking insult.

 

[Aldo]

Its actually a breath of fresh air to hear Boyd come out say that there are problems there.

 

[gordjw]

A captain's interview...

 

[Aldo]

A captain's interview...

What I was thinking.

 

[broncos4life]

If Boyd isn't captain next year I will fucking lose it!

 

[Stix]

Only reason he won't get the job will be that he really doesn't want it, but all his actions this season have proved he is the man for the job.

 

[CaptainHook]

When comparing our slump this season to last year's stellar form I think there are a few point to consider:

Sam Thaiday, Josh McGuire, Andrew McCullough and Alex Glenn were all off contract for 2016. While I don't think it's the primary factor I've got no doubt those guys had their best season in years in 2015 which contributed to our form surge. McCullough, in particular, has demonstrated many times he goes up a gear come contract time or when a quality replacement like Granville is in his shadow.

With most of the playing roster retained this year there doesn't seem to be that urgency to perform which has contributed to our lack of intensity on the field.

We also didn't have to contend with so many injuries. We were also winning tight games (the Panthers one springs to mind) that in previous years we would have lost.

I don't really buy the impact of Origin. The Cowboys had a fair few players out too - key payers from their halves and front row - arguably more of a loss than any of our representatives. They haven't missed a beat. While Origin is no doubt disruptive it should not be used as the big excuse the way it is being used.

 

[Brendo79]

Darius is spot on with what he says. But hunger should be there from last year's heartbreaking loss. And last year's loss was also just as hard on all the fans as well. Want inspiration. Look to the fans. We're still hungry!

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Lose the GF in golden point, lose the hunger to go back by Round 16 the next year.

We have a team of peahearted sooks.

 

[Super Freak]

Every team loses hunger after a situation like that.

All of that work you put into getting to the Grand Final. All of that work you did for 79 minutes to claw your way back and be in a position to win. All undone by a single fluke pass. Once the Cowboys scored, that was the writing on the wall.

It's hard to get that hunger back and I very highly doubt they will get it back this season.

Their goal right now is to just finish the season as strong as possible and lay a good platform for 2017.

That will be the final year of our premiership window.

 

[abashii]

Every team loses hunger after a situation like that.

All of that work you put into getting to the Grand Final. All of that work you did for 79 minutes to claw your way back and be in a position to win. All undone by a single fluke pass. Once the Cowboys scored, that was the writing on the wall.

It's hard to get that hunger back and I very highly doubt they will get it back this season.

Their goal right now is to just finish the season as strong as possible and lay a good platform for 2017.

That will be the final year of our premiership window.

We'll be right. Plenty of young guys who'll improve over the next few years so when the window shuts we'll just kick in the fucking door instead. And we'd better win in 2019, it's the only chance ever to have a Brisbane grand final and I'd hate to see two NSW teams play it.

 

[winslow_wong]

No hunger to send Parker out like hodges. Says a lot about the two captains.

 

[jarro65]

Was thinking the same thing.
This whole Parker scenario sounds quite unsettling actually

 

[winslow_wong]

Was thinking the same thing.
This whole Parker scenario sounds quite unsettling actually [emoji848]

Not to worry. 5 more games and it's over.

 

[2ndPhase]

We just need one really good win. One where we dig in, everything clicks and we take a big scalp. And for me that's not this week or this month. For me that's the first week of the finals. If we just improve a little every game till then. 10% a week. Then we are going to be lacing on the boots in September. If the boys can do something special in those couple of hours, something we know they can do. Then who knows what that will do to their belief and confidence. Deep down they know it's in them. It's whether they can pull it together for that one night. And if they can, then from there anything is possible. C'mon boys!!!!