Billy Slater has cautioned the Broncos against blooding young players with an eye towards the future, claiming it could “devalue” the famous jersey.
The reigning premiers officially had their NRL top-eight hopes ended on Saturday night in a humbling loss at home against the Knights.
Adam Reynolds will retire at season’s end. Getty
Brisbane have gone from a grand final victory to sitting in the bottom-four on the ladder with five rounds to go, while their opponents from last year’s decider, the Melbourne Storm, are also set to miss out on the post-season.
It’s a stunning fall from grace for the Broncos, who have dealt with a horror injury toll but have also failed to perform when their big guns are on the park.
Speaking on Nine’s The Billy Slater Podcast, the champion fullback said there were two sides to Brisbane’s slide down the table and their dire title defence.
“When you have success, a lot of things have gotta happen,” Slater said.
“The uncontrollables, in terms of injuries and things going your way – but the controllables have gotta go your way as well, you’ve gotta train hard and be fit and be committed to playing a style of football that allows you to be successful.
“This year, there were a few uncontrollables that didn’t go their way, some injuries throughout the season, but they didn’t get the controllable things right either.
“I felt that right from the start. A lot of their players would have went away for representative duties at the end of last year, that means they come back to pre-season late. What state did they individually come back in? Were they ready to go? Were they fit and professional through that off-season?
“The way they started their campaign with the World Club Challenge and the start of their season, there were huge question marks … that was right from the start.”
Slater pinpointed the Broncos’ defensive woes compared to last season and claims the desperation shown on their own line, which became a staple under former assistant coach Ben Te’o last year, had “drifted out of their game” in 2026.
The debate around Red Hill with their finals chances out the window will now shift to whether coach Michael Maguire should make wholesale changes.
Adam Reynolds will be out at least for round 23 due to concussion and will likely be replaced by Tom Duffy, but there could be other young guns in the mix.
Michael Maguire is under mounting pressure. Getty
However, according to Slater, the club needs to be cautious with that approach.
“The one thing I’ve always thought, and this has probably been a reflection of Craig Bellamy, is you don’t wanna start giving away jerseys when they haven’t deserved it and haven’t earned it and that’s what you have to be careful about,” Slater said.
“I think you pick your best team. I just feel that you don’t want to devalue that jersey by just playing a whole heap of young guys.
“You get your opportunity when you’ve earned it … the Broncos will wanna finish as high as they can on the ladder and as positive as they can.
“They’ve got a whole heap of fresh faces coming into the organisation next year – it’s gonna be a different looking footy team, but you’re still in this season.”