Broncos season all but over with sixth straight loss to Dragons

The Brisbane Broncos slumped to their sixth loss in a row on Saturday night, losing 30-26 to the St George Illawarra Dragons in round 19 of the NRL at Suncorp Stadium.

The club were runners up in 2023 and held the second line of betting at rugby league bookmakers heading into the 2024 season.

Now, their season is all but over.

Australian bookmakers have lengthened their odds of winning the Grand Final to $19. This puts them in the fifth line of betting, behind the Panthers, Roosters, Storm and Sharks.

However, they have a steep mountain to climb if they are to even make the post-season, let alone win the title.

The loss has them sitting in 13th place on the NRL ladder with 18 points, four points adrift of the top eight with just seven rounds of the regular season to go.

Walters blasts Broncos yet again

The 30-26 scoreline on Saturday night actually flattered the Broncos.

At one stage, the Dragons led 30-6. The Brisbane side clawed their way back into the match in the second half, but with 10 minutes to go, were still behind by 14 points.

Two late tries have the appearance of a tight game, but it was far from that.

“I just know we’re so much better a team than what we’re doing,” said Broncos coach Kevin Walters in his post-match comments.

“I’m just disappointed that that’s what we throw up.

“I’m disappointed in myself as a coach that that’s what is being presented, consistently, that’s not good enough and that rests on me.

“Simple errors, we just can’t keep doing that and we paid the price again tonight.

“It’s not changing, is it. One thing happens and it sort of triggers another… I don’t know.”

The coach still believes his side can play finals footy in 2024, but was realistic in his assessment of Brisbane’s chances too.

“We can’t keep doing what we’re doing because then we’re no chance.”

Next up, the Broncos will play the Newcastle Knights, in a must-win away match on Saturday.

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