The most concerning thing for the Brisbane Broncos coming out of that game is how much it resembled their 2018 efforts. When everything was going their way and they got possession they looked as strong as any team, but when they were forced into uncomfortable positions, they didn't know who or where to turn to. Fortunately Michael Gordon must have felt sorry for them when he made his error because there was no way known the Broncos were going to get back into that game.
Even so when Alex Glenn scored (the first time...I'm not used to him scoring in multiples), their inexperienced show. One of their worst plays of the night was off the restart set where they failed to get to their kick. For a player who is going to rely heavily on being a 'game manager' I hope he learned a valuable lesson for his sake. Otherwise, the moment he gives Matt Lodge the football on the last and expects him to kick it will be the very moment his career at the Brisbane Broncos ends. Maybe he should save that play for the family gatherings?
The defence was attrocious and for all this talk about attitude, if they can't lock up the football, or if they can't initiate good initial contact and 'catch' the runner they're going to have a bad time. The Gold Coast was having a field day running through the Broncos middle third and as soon as they started asking questions of our edges, both Isaako and Oates were found wanting. Thankfully, Phillip Sami must have been a Broncos supporter because he let the game slip through his fingers.
Now don't get me wrong, there's worse things than being the 2018 Brisbane Broncos. For instance, you could be the 2018 Gold Coast Titans. However, we're heading into a year where the premiership is there for the taking and based on this sneak peek the Broncos have a lot of work infront of them if they want to contest for the title. I've always had the feeling that it would be too much work for one season and it may take until 2020 for the Broncos to find the right combinations but the performance last night re-emphasised that point.
On the bright side for the Brisbane Broncos, they may have added another Test player to their long list of Internationals. If the selectors are willing to pick the best seventeen players, I can't see how Matt Lodge misses out on a jersey. Not only was Lodge the best forward on the park, he was head and shoulders the best player and has everything you would want in a modern prop forward. I could only imagine how many tries he would have scored if he had the luxury of running at 'Atay'.
That in conjunction with the improved ball movement in the second half were the real positives I take out of the performance.
