Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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Darren Lockyer says if the Broncos can’t beat the Roosters tomorrow night, the road to the grand final “will be a mountain too big to climb”.
And the last man to lead Brisbane to a premiership in 2006 also delivered his verdict on what is wrong with struggling young halves Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt.
After losing six of their last eight games, most experts point to Milford and Hunt’s sharp decline in vital attacking statistics as the Broncos’ biggest issue.
But Lockyer believes it is more to do with overall attitude, and he spotted two worrying signs in last week’s shock loss to Penrith involving Milford and Hunt.
Lockyer noted how Milford gave up too easily with his chase on a runaway Waqa Blake after that controversial no knock-on call that led to Penrith’s first try in the 9th minute.
Then in the countdown to halftime Hunt attempted a short goal line drop out when the Broncos were only trailing 12-0.
That landed out on the full and gifted Penrith a penalty shot directly in front of the posts.
“You don’t win premierships doing that,” Lockyer said.
“I just think at the moment they are not prepared to grind the game out.
“They are probably looking for some easy options and it is bringing them undone.
“I just think it is the mentality of the team and obviously the halves are the ones who control the game.’’
Lockyer said he could see parallels to what the Broncos are going through now and what happened to his team in 2006.
After losing five straight games between round 18 and 23 that year, the Broncos recovered to win their last three games of the regular season — and despite dropping their first finals game still charged home to win the grand final.
This year they started the season on fire but have dropped seven of their last 10 to slip to sixth spot on the NRL ladder.
With six rounds of the regular season remaining, Lockyer said it was vital for them to finish in the top four.
“If they don’t get the two points against the Roosters I just think it will be a mountain too big to climb,” he said.
Asked if he thought they could still win the premiership, he added: “Obviously on current form no.
“The key is always getting all your players fit and healthy at the right time.
“But it is very difficult to win it outside of the top four.
“The teams they are playing between now and round 26, they are capable of getting there.
“But you’d have to think this week is a winnable game, even though the Roosters are going better than is suggested on the ladder.
“But if they can’t get this one, gee it puts a lot of pressure on them.”
No Cookies | The Courier Mail
And the last man to lead Brisbane to a premiership in 2006 also delivered his verdict on what is wrong with struggling young halves Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt.
After losing six of their last eight games, most experts point to Milford and Hunt’s sharp decline in vital attacking statistics as the Broncos’ biggest issue.
But Lockyer believes it is more to do with overall attitude, and he spotted two worrying signs in last week’s shock loss to Penrith involving Milford and Hunt.
Lockyer noted how Milford gave up too easily with his chase on a runaway Waqa Blake after that controversial no knock-on call that led to Penrith’s first try in the 9th minute.
Then in the countdown to halftime Hunt attempted a short goal line drop out when the Broncos were only trailing 12-0.
That landed out on the full and gifted Penrith a penalty shot directly in front of the posts.
“You don’t win premierships doing that,” Lockyer said.
“I just think at the moment they are not prepared to grind the game out.
“They are probably looking for some easy options and it is bringing them undone.
“I just think it is the mentality of the team and obviously the halves are the ones who control the game.’’
Lockyer said he could see parallels to what the Broncos are going through now and what happened to his team in 2006.
After losing five straight games between round 18 and 23 that year, the Broncos recovered to win their last three games of the regular season — and despite dropping their first finals game still charged home to win the grand final.
This year they started the season on fire but have dropped seven of their last 10 to slip to sixth spot on the NRL ladder.
With six rounds of the regular season remaining, Lockyer said it was vital for them to finish in the top four.
“If they don’t get the two points against the Roosters I just think it will be a mountain too big to climb,” he said.
Asked if he thought they could still win the premiership, he added: “Obviously on current form no.
“The key is always getting all your players fit and healthy at the right time.
“But it is very difficult to win it outside of the top four.
“The teams they are playing between now and round 26, they are capable of getting there.
“But you’d have to think this week is a winnable game, even though the Roosters are going better than is suggested on the ladder.
“But if they can’t get this one, gee it puts a lot of pressure on them.”
No Cookies | The Courier Mail
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