The End of Empire: The Sharp Decline of the Brisbane Broncos

[Kimlo]

If the stories I have heard are true as to how the Hunt negotiations were managed, and some on the underhanded things that were done the Broncos members would be shocked, to say the least, yet typified the player and list management of the last 3 or 4 years. Hunt was gutted by the whole process, and how he was personally treated, he had been in their system since he was a teenager, had no intention of wanting to leave and had the potential to be their next generation Lockyer. He became that insulted and hurt at what had unfolded he then made a decision to leave league and was likely to head to the UK to league or union, it wasn't until the 11th hour that AFL actually became interested. Cullen can now claim that they couldn't compete and Hunt was taken with a massive offer, nothing could be further from the truth.

Anyone know more about this???

 

[Coxy]

You'd have to wonder how much of all this shit is just made up.

 

[Je$ter]

A lot of other clubs would have the same turnover as Brisbane, it's just that we don't read into their gains/losses.

 

[Coxy]

A lot of other clubs would have the same turnover as Brisbane, it's just that we don't read into their gains/losses.

Yes, but it's a bit foreign to us long term Broncos fans because we remember the days players came to and stayed at the club for less than they could get elsewhere because the Broncos was the club to be at.

Whether it's the decline in our aura of invincibility post-2000 or the pressures of the salary cap, the Broncos don't have that attraction anymore. They aren't the benchmark of training, coaching and playing as they used to be, they don't have the best facilities in the league anymore (although the new gym is close to the best in the league I'm sure).

The only thing that differentiates us from the rest of the league is that the Broncos are financially the most well off by a long way. But that's of little use under the salary cap regime we have now.

 

[Bannermania]

I can't be **** reading all of that shit. These articles come out every single year. It's always the same.

tl;dr

 

[tkday]

If the stories I have heard are true as to how the Hunt negotiations were managed, and some on the underhanded things that were done the Broncos members would be shocked, to say the least, yet typified the player and list management of the last 3 or 4 years. Hunt was gutted by the whole process, and how he was personally treated, he had been in their system since he was a teenager, had no intention of wanting to leave and had the potential to be their next generation Lockyer. He became that insulted and hurt at what had unfolded he then made a decision to leave league and was likely to head to the UK to league or union, it wasn't until the 11th hour that AFL actually became interested. Cullen can now claim that they couldn't compete and Hunt was taken with a massive offer, nothing could be further from the truth.

Anyone know more about this???

What the crap is going on, surely this can't be true. It seems strange all these stories start coming out.

 

[Anonymous person]

Who cares, Hunt was at the centre of the biggest blight on the Broncos name pretty much ever, im glad hes gone.

 

[Kimlo]

Who cares, Hunt was at the centre of the biggest blight on the Broncos name pretty much ever, im glad hes gone.

I'm not glad he's gone but I'm not disappointed either. It makes you wonder though if any of that is true.

 

[Kaz]

If the stories I have heard are true as to how the Hunt negotiations were managed, and some on the underhanded things that were done the Broncos members would be shocked, to say the least, yet typified the player and list management of the last 3 or 4 years. Hunt was gutted by the whole process, and how he was personally treated, he had been in their system since he was a teenager, had no intention of wanting to leave and had the potential to be their next generation Lockyer. He became that insulted and hurt at what had unfolded he then made a decision to leave league and was likely to head to the UK to league or union, it wasn't until the 11th hour that AFL actually became interested. Cullen can now claim that they couldn't compete and Hunt was taken with a massive offer, nothing could be further from the truth.

Anyone know more about this???

It's as believable as you or I winning the Poster of the Year award.

 

[Charmamba]

Who cares, Hunt was at the centre of the biggest blight on the Broncos name pretty much ever, im glad hes gone.

Hunt - got a Bj from a chick in the toliets with mates as well.

Inglis - Belted his gf...

Who would you prefer?

 

[QUEENSLANDER]

One of those actually happened, the other has proven to be a media beat up. Ill let you decide which is which.

Actually, it would be easier if i pointed out which is the truth, and its not the inglis one

 

[Big Pete]

Hmmm...

In 2001, the Broncos were still a threat, it was just a matter of injuries holding the club back.

In 2002, every superior club (Bulldogs and Knights) had fallen by the wayside. Had the Broncos not been screwed (there was a crucial decision that Harrigan later admitted he had got it wrong) would've won.

In 2003 the boys just couldn't buy a win late in the season. They were in every game, but they just could never put the opposition away for whatever reason.

In 2004 they always appeared to be in it but after the Bulldogs game at Suncorp, you knew their season was done and dusted. Still, that was one hell of a season, to see the boys improve their position with so many new faces joining the ranks was bloody good to see.

2005 should've been their year but like 2003 they just couldn't buy a win and injuries halted their momentum. They were still in every game, despite not having so many of their prestigious talents and at one point even had the minor premiers on the ropes until Moi Moi decided to knock Barnes' head off.

2006, well goes without saying.

2007 started terribly but after a players meeting before the Bulldogs game the club kicked into gear only to see injuries deny them. Lack of a half was really telling too.

2008 the club was always in it and they were hitting their straps at the right time but the class of Melbourne was just too good for them.

2009 was all about momentum and the Broncos had been riding it since a massive second half performance at Suncorp against Penrith. Unfortunately Wallace went down against the Dragons and well the rest is history.

 

[Anonymous person]

Hunt - got a Bj from a chick in the toliets with mates as well.

Inglis - Belted his gf...

Who would you prefer?

the guy who didnt get found guilty of belting his gf, not the guy who had a bit of a gang bang in a disabled toilet at a nightclub with a few of the other guys in the team and 1 morally challenged girl.

 

[Charmamba]

Hmmm...

In 2001, the Broncos were still a threat, it was just a matter of injuries holding the club back.

In 2002, every superior club (Bulldogs and Knights) had fallen by the wayside. Had the Broncos not been screwed (there was a crucial decision that Harrigan later admitted he had got it wrong) would've won.

In 2003 the boys just couldn't buy a win late in the season. They were in every game, but they just could never put the opposition away for whatever reason.

In 2004 they always appeared to be in it but after the Bulldogs game at Suncorp, you knew their season was done and dusted. Still, that was one hell of a season, to see the boys improve their position with so many new faces joining the ranks was bloody good to see.

2005 should've been their year but like 2003 they just couldn't buy a win and injuries halted their momentum. They were still in every game, despite not having so many of their prestigious talents and at one point even had the minor premiers on the ropes until Moi Moi decided to knock Barnes' head off.

2006, well goes without saying.

2007 started terribly but after a players meeting before the Bulldogs game the club kicked into gear only to see injuries deny them. Lack of a half was really telling too.

2008 the club was always in it and they were hitting their straps at the right time but the class of Melbourne was just too good for them.

2009 was all about momentum and the Broncos had been riding it since a massive second half performance at Suncorp against Penrith. Unfortunately Wallace went down against the Dragons and well the rest is history.

No 2008 was not the class of Melbourne it was a mistake from Sims. If he never dropped the ball the rest for Melbourne would have been history (I forgive you Simsy)

 

[ningnangnong]

No 2008 was not the class of Melbourne it was a mistake from Sims. If he never dropped the ball the rest for Melbourne would have been history (I forgive you Simsy)

There are plenty of other reasons you can attribute that loss to.

Not just Sims.

 

[Charmamba]

Yes the team could have done more to be further ahead and also hold the line abit better no doubt about it. And im not blaming Sims 100% for the loss. Hell not even 50%. but none the less a drop ball towards the end of the game near our own try line changed everything.

 

[Astroboy]

That article makes a lot of sense, and doesn't just make stuff up - there is evidence to back it up and it rings true. The list of players that have left, and the record of those who have replaced them, speaks for itself. What I have been saying for along time - SACK BRUNO and do anything we can to get Wayne back. He was the heart and soul of the Broncos. It just sh!ts me seeing the proud winning culture of the team I support getting torn down bit by bit week after week.

One thing that stands out amongst all this is Darren Lockyer - his commitment to the club with its proud and iconic history has never wavered. That is true whether he plays rep footy into the future or not, he has earned the right to do what he likes (I know that's another topic). He's endured it all, and carried the team though the horror runs brought on by injuries and inadequate backups. You can tell he is committed to the Broncos entity, the team on the field with its proud record - not necessarily to the douch bags running the head office ATM, he carries on despite them because he just loves the Broncos. If he were to decide to give up and pull the pin (retire early or go somewhere else) then we'd know things are truly shot to bits.

 

[Anonymous person]

Astroboy, we dont want or need Bennett back. he was at the heart of all of our poor player retention/recruitment.