Winger Josh Hoffman has backed Brisbane’s forwards to aim up against any pack in the NRL as questions emerged about the club’s toughness following a first round loss to Manly.
The Broncos only lost by eight points, but it was the way Manly rolled over them in the second half that has sounded alarm bells.
Former captain Gorden Tallis is one of several ex-players who’ve come out and suggested Brisbane have lost some of its aura in recent years.
“I think that’s a bit of a concern. When you talk to some of the old players, I do think that,” Tallis, who won two premierships with Brisbane, told Fox Sports this week.
Brisbane’s loss to Manly was their eighth from their past nine games.
Hoffman conceded the team’s second half effort against Manly was “unacceptable” and the players knew they had not performed up to the standard set by the club’s former stars.
However he said fears Brisbane’s pack was not big or tough enough to handle itself were off the mark.
“We’ve got plenty of aggression there with Josh McGuire, Matt Gillett and big Sammy Thaiday to do it up front,” he said before Friday night’s clash with St George Illawarra in Wollongong.
“That (effort) is not what we or this great club have ever been about.
“Friday night’s performance just wasn’t acceptable.
McGuire said everyone was disappointed with the effort against Manly after leading 14-6 half time.
Critics are already saying Brisbane can’t make the eight.
Another loss to the Dragons, who were ordinary in their first round defeat by Melbourne, would turn up the heat even more.
“I think that comes from playing for the Broncos,” said McGuire who needs to find more fire after being handed a starting role in the front-row.
“Our fans expect wins and if you don’t put wins on the board you cop a bit of criticism.”
McGuire conceded Brisbane’s forwards didn’t do the job against Manly pack which was not full of stars.
“We lacked a bit of hunger and aggression at times when we needed it,” he said.
“We need to work as a pack more than individuals and the boys have all put their hands up this week to play a lot more as a group than one out.
“I think everyone has to take responsibility in the middle.
“I don’t think we went into round one with the right mentality and Manly dusted us.
“We weren’t good enough and we have play some better footy against the Dragons.”