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Sport Nation
"Pretenders": Have the Broncos blown a top four spot?
Charles Goodsir • July 28th, 2025 1:39 pm
The Brisbane Broncos’ chances to claim a top four finish took a massive dent in Round 21 following their shock 22-20 loss to the Parramatta Eels.
The Broncos had won five consecutive matches leading into the fixture and were poised to put pressure on the fourth placed Warriors. However, their loss to the Eels has resulted in the Penrith Panthers leap frogging them into outright fifth position on the ladder.
It has led SEN’s Andrew Voss to question the Broncos’ premiership credentials and if they are capable of playing in a Grand Final in 2025.
“I have not hopped on the Brisbane Broncos bus at all this year,” Voss said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“I still think they are absolutely capable of torching sides between now and at the end of the season.
“However, it’s not consistent and I don’t see any resilience. I do not see the top four toughness.
“I see them as pretenders.
“They are fair weather,” SEN’s Greg Alexander replied.
“On their day, they can beat anyone. They were looking to make it their sixth win in a row and the Gold Coast Titans were two of those wins.
“The Eels exposed the frailty of this Brisbane side. They don’t like it when sides get down and dirty.
“They don’t like sides who play boring and relentless footy and that’s what Mitch Moses did (for Parramatta).
“The Broncos couldn’t handle it and once the scores got close, the errors and inability to get down into the grind exposed Brisbane.
“I’m with you (Voss). They are a fair weather team who (only likes) to play in front.”
Brisbane now sit sixth on the ladder and are only one win inside the top eight.
The Broncos host the last-placed South Sydney Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium on Friday.
