Brisbane must find patience and composure in their play or risk becoming cannon fodder in the finals, if they get there.
The Broncos’ top-four hopes are on the rocks after their dismal 22-20 loss to a superb Parramatta on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.
They still need three wins from their remaining six matches to even be assured of finishing in the top eight and playing in the finals.
The Broncos started the match against the Eels with a determination to get through their sets, which they initially did, and earn their points.
However when it became clear the Eels were not going to roll over the Broncos panicked and started pushing passes and making dumb plays.
“We need to be more consistent,” Broncos coach Michael Maguire said.
“They turned up for a long game, kicked to corners and played the simple things well and we didn’t handle it.
“We’re still walking towards what we’re trying to achieve.”
Fullback Reece Walsh was the worst offender and despite setting up a try for Billy Walters he overplayed his hand and cost his side dearly with mistakes.
Although he had 147 run metres and almost scored the match-winning try (he was ruled off-side), he finished with three costly errors.
And his decision to let a Moses bomb bounce led to brilliant try from Sean Russell which handed the Eels the lead.
He was not the only culprit as the Broncos appeared rushed and their opponents composed.
“He is going through exactly the same as what we just spoke about, playing the longer game,” Maguire said.
“It’s about making choices, so we will review and go through that.
“Reece has been spectacular for us at times and he had a bit of a tough night in some of the periods in his game, so we just need to be thorough in that and how we go about our roles and the captain will steer that well.”
Captain Adam Reynolds said he was up for the challenge of guiding Walsh.
“We all love what Walshy brings. He is an excitement machine and he is a big part of our team and a big reason why we are where we are,” Reynolds said.
“You don’t want to take that away from him, but it is my responsibility to calm him down at times when he gets a bit sideways.”
The writing was on the wall for the Broncos in several of the wins in the past five rounds.
They came from behind to beat Cronulla and Canterbury in uneven displays and were underwhelming in their latest 26-14 win over Gold Coast. That is why Maguire has called for a more consistent approach.
Broncos prop Payne Haas has been dealing with a lower back complaint for most of the season but Maguire allayed fears he had suffered a leg injury against Parramatta after he was seen limping at the end of the game.
“Payno’s OK, he’s got a temperamental body at the moment,” Maguire said
“That’s his challenge, to get himself right.”
