Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin is confident the Broncos can successfully negotiate the tricky State of Origin period despite their indifferent NRL form so far this season.
The Broncos’ 24-14 loss to Canterbury on Friday night has left them precariously placed leading into what is traditionally a demanding six-week period for the dominant Queensland club.
Brisbane have a 5-6 record and could fall out of the top eight if results go against them in the remainder of round 11.
They are likely to lose at least captain Sam Thaiday, Justin Hodges, Josh McGuire and Corey Parker to Queensland Origin commitments ahead of next Monday’s clash with the Warriors in Brisbane.
“It’s a different part of the season, particularly now we have already four or five of our squad not playing so you are certainly going to see a new side next week. But that is the challenge for us as a club and we just get on with it,” Griffin said.
“If we are not producing Origin players we are not doing our job.
“I’m not going to whinge about it. It’s a challenge for us as a club to give other people opportunities and to hold together during that period.
“Obviously we would like to be higher on the table, we put out a side every week capable of winning so there are no excuses for that.
“We just need to keep our heads down and keep working from week to week now and not be concerned with what time of year it is and just get out the best possible side we can.”
Griffin said the Broncos were set to welcome back playmaker Scott Prince from a hamstring injury for the Warriors game, but that England international Jack Reed was still at least two weeks away from overcoming an eye injury.
Thaiday said he was confident his side had players who could steer them through the demanding Origin period.
“I have every confidence in the blokes we leave behind, they have shown in the past they can produce,” he said.
“I think we have a little bit more depth than in past years. A lot of our young guys have more experience and know what is needed to win a tough game.”
