Rugby League legend Cameron Smith has slammed the “ordinary” Broncos following their 60-12 loss to the Storm — and fears they could miss the finals.
The Broncos were in the top four, however losses to the Tigers, Roosters and Storm have seen them drop down to eighth place.
With two vital games against the Eels and Dragons coming up, Smith believes the Broncos are a genuine chance of missing out on finals footy.
“They have fallen off the cliff,” Smith said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“They should’ve won a handful of games over the last little bit.
“Their defensive efforts were ordinary. They could not find answers to get through the Melbourne defensive line.
“This is a huge game on Thursday night against Parramatta.”
The Broncos’ dip in form begun in Round 20 with a 32-18 loss to the Tigers, who are now facing their first wooden spoon.
They haven’t had Origin forward Patrick Carrigan since that game due to a four-week ban for a hip-drop tackle and have only won one of their three games.
But Smith believes the Broncos should be winning games with or without Carrigan.
“A lot of people are saying that it’s Patrick Carrigan not being there and being suspended,” he said.
“He’s only been out for three weeks...They’re still a good football side (without Carrigan).”
It comes after Broncos legend and Fox League expert Corey Parker called the 60-12 loss to the Storm a “harsh reality check” and an example of how the club has become complacent in recent weeks.
“The Broncos look content as a football side,” Parker said.
“You go back to Round 19 against the Eels, they beat Parramatta 36-14. From that moment if I’m being honest they thought they were going a lot better than what they were.
“They played the Tigers a week later who dished them up 32-18. They played the Roosters who dished them up 34-16. They played the Knights, who while Brisbane got a win, they were very below par gainst a dismal Knights outfit.
“They come to Suncorp Stadium in front of 45,000 fans against the Storm who are a genuine top four team and this was going to be their litmus test.
“They wanted a good baring of where they are as a football side. They just got it.
“60 points to 12. Embarrassing. Up there with one of the biggest losses in the club’s history.
“A harsh, harsh reality check to that football side of exactly where they are at.
“In my opinion from where they have fallen from that Parramatta game to where they are now just wreaks to me of them being content or complacent and they thought they were going a hell of a lot better than where they are as a football side.
“41 missed tackles tonight. Since that Parramatta game they are averaging over 40 missed tackles a game.
“We heard from Kevvie Walters and Adam Reynolds, we will get an indication next week. Well they had a great opportunity to get an indication against the Storm tonight.
“There may not be a week after next week. It could be curtains for the Broncos.”
Sitting uncomfortably in eighth place Fox League’s Michael Ennis believes the club’s recent slump in form could ultimately see them missing out on finals altogether.
“It would be a horrific devastation for them falling out of finals contention,” Ennis said.
“Next week is a massive game for them up against Parramatta.
“It is an embarrassing night for the club. There is no questioning that. It has been a catastrophic night for them.
“It was a massive opportunity for them tonight to really show their metal.
“Their bench tonight I just don’t think that is going to cut it to be honest. Ryan James didn’t have an impact.
“Kurt Capewell might be out now with an ankle injury, so things are not looking great for Brisbane.
“It was such a big night for Brisbane because I feel like they needed a home final to really lift them through the finals series and I think they may have missed that tonight.
“I can’t see Brisbane challenging the big sides at the back end of the year. They are just not there yet.”
The Broncos will be eager to redeem themselves and cement a spot in the top eight when they take on the Parramatta Eels in a must win clash this Thursday at Suncorp Stadium.
