The Brisbane Broncos face a must-win clash this round against the Sydney Roosters as their finals hopes hang by a single thread.

In what can be described as “their last throw of the dice”, the pressure is mounting on coach Michael Maguire and his side to produce a response after an inconsistent campaign that has left last year’s premiers in danger of missing the finals altogether.

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Speaking on NRL 360, veteran foxsports.com.au journalist Paul Crawley delivered a blunt assessment of the club’s predicament.

Crawley warned that another defeat could trigger even more turmoil at Red Hill which could see them become the first premiership winners to miss the finals the next season since the Wests Tigers in 2006.

“If they don’t beat the Roosters on Friday night, pull down the shutters because the joint’s going to implode,” Crawley said.

“There’s so much drama going up there at the moment, just when you look who’s coming, who’s going and all that sort of stuff and the fact that a premiership-winning team are going to miss out on the finals.

“This is their last throw of the dice. It’s almost impossible when you look at their draw that they don’t beat the Chooks this week, it’s all over.”

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With their season on the line, much of the focus has fallen on superstar fullback Reece Walsh, who has struggled to recapture the form that helped them win the title last season.

Establishing himself as one of the game’s most dangerous attacking weapons and becoming must-watch television at the backend of last season, his 2026 campaign has been plagued by inconsistency.

“There’s been this great white hope that Reece Walsh was going to be the answer for the Broncos and he just hasn’t been able to get going,” Code Sports reporter David Riccio said.

However, with no Adam Reynolds at the helm, Luke Keary believes the circumstances could actually bring out the best of Walsh.

“Last year, when Reynolds wasn’t there in the semi-finals, when Billy Walters and Ben Hunt (were the starting halves), I think we saw the best out of Reece when Reynolds is not there,” the former five-eighth said.

“There’s a bit where Reece says it’s on me now, and he thrives under those situations and thrives under the pressure.”

Braith Anasta added, “No disrespect to Adam, but when he went off the field. Reece went to another level.”

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Meanwhile, the NRL 360 panel questioned the decision to hand an extension to Ben Hunt.

While there was talk earlier in the season that the former Dragons captain might have considered retirement, the veteran decided to play on for another 12 months.

“If they keep Ben Hunt for $150,000-200,000, I can understand it,” Riccio said.

“But the bottom line is I don’t think Ben Hunt is bothering to go around again for $150,000 to $200,000.

“He needs to be staying for a reason and (having him) sit in the $350,000 to $500,000 or just under that bracket, I found it surprising. He turns 37 in March next year

While he was previously one of the game’s best players, he has looked far from his best in recent seasons and is unlikely to improve as he enters the twilight of his career.

Instead, foxsports.com.au’s own Paul Crawley believes he has only been re-signed due to his experience and ability to mentor the younger players in the squad.

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This comes as they will lose several members of their squad next season, headlined by Adam Reynolds and Payne Haas.

“I think it’s obvious they’re doing it with his experience with Payne leaving and Adam Reynolds retiring,” Crawley continued.

“They need that experience, but I think they’re holding onto the past. I haven’t seen the football from Ben Hunt this year and it still takes up a spot in your roster.

“And he’s not going to be your starting half. He’s not going to be your starting hooker. He’s been a champion player as a dummy-half, but he’s not getting better and not getting younger.”

Former NRL players Braith Anasta and Luke Keary agree with the aforementioned comments on Hunt and were equally shocked not only about his re-signing by also him coming out to say that he want’s to be the club’s halfback in 2027.

Luke Keary said, “He won’t be playing seven.”

“With all due respect, I haven’t seen any signs really why they should re-sign him. If you’re paying $350,000-400,000 for experience, then I don’t think it adds up.”