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<\/p>\nAre the Broncos out of the premiership race?<\/p>\n
After a loss against the Dragons in dire fashion, The Daily Telegraph\u2019s Dean Richie has put a red line through Michael Maguire\u2019s men, confident they won\u2019t be able to defend their title.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey look old and slow to me, I don\u2019t think there\u2019s any way of putting it kindly,\u201d he said on NRL360 on Monday night.<\/p>\n
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Watch every game of every round of the Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s cut through the crap, that was embarrassing in front of that many people to lose to the side coming last… right here, right now, I think they are gone.<\/p>\n \u201cI think they are gone, on that performance I didn\u2019t find any positives at all.\u201d<\/p>\n That bold statement comes after their defeat to a Red V side who had gone 295 days without a win, but were able to take a 30-8 lead against a hapless Brisbane outfit.<\/p>\n Post-match, Michael Maguire delivered a six-minute spray to his squad<\/a>, with Ben Hunt telling News Corp: \u201cDeservingly, he ripped into us, he really did\u201d.<\/p>\n Last year, the Broncos sat in almost an identical position and went on to win the premiership off the back of a scintillating second-half of the season from superstar fullback Reece Walsh.<\/p>\n But, as Ritchie highlighted, one moment from Walsh against the Dragons sums up everything that is wrong with the Broncos in 2026.<\/p>\n \u201cLook at this, Walsh goes up. He lands on his bum, Dragons pick the ball up, has he got up? No, he\u2019s on the ground,\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd in the meantime, three passes and there\u2019s a try in the corner. That was poor from Reece Walsh… just lying there on the ground is a poor look.<\/p>\n \u201cIt only vindicates my assessment of Reece this year, he has been off from the start. If that was your teammate, would you be dirty?\u201d<\/p>\n Both Braith Anasta and Gorden Tallis admitted they did not notice Walsh\u2019s efforts when watching the game live.<\/p>\n Ready & Bulldog ERUPT in Laurie debate | 03:21<\/p>\n Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!<\/a><\/p>\n And Ritchie\u2019s sentiment was backed up by The Australian\u2019s Brent Read, who admitted they looked \u201creally flat\u201d but was not confident enough to rule them out of title conversations.<\/p>\n \u201cI am loathe to put a line through them, because I think if Reece catches fire, they can do it again,\u201d Read said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I don\u2019t think Reece is in great touch at the moment, he needs to flick a switch otherwise they are gone.<\/p>\n \u201cTheir draw over the next eight weeks is horrific. They play seven of the top eight sides in the next eight weeks and the one they don\u2019t play is the Cowboys.<\/p>\n \u201cThat draw makes it really difficult and the way they are playing it will be really hard.\u201d<\/p>\n However, if their struggles continue, he also was of the belief Maguire will be under the pump to retain his position heading into the 2027 season.<\/p>\n Interestingly, Kevin Walters was sacked after his side slumped to 12th spot only a season after reaching the grand final and going down to the Panthers in 2023.<\/p>\n If the Broncos\u2019 current woes continue, Maguire could be under similar pressure, according to Read.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he is under the pump, I think if they miss the finals this year… I know he won a comp,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThey have lost Payne Haas as well, that\u2019s a huge loss for them. If they miss the finals this year, I think he starts next year under pressure.<\/p>\n \u201cIt probably also matters how they finish this year, if they trail off this year and they are diabolical, yeah.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, concerns have also been raised regarding their squad, with Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt failing to fire a shot against the Dragons.<\/p>\n Reynolds will hang up the boots at the conclusion of the 2026 season, while Hunt is reportedly set to put pen to paper on a fresh extension for 2027.<\/p>\n ‘Let’s be honest’: Young still unproven | 02:15<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS <\/p>\n CRAWLS: Young stars who must be picked in ELEVEN changes for Origin II<\/a><\/p>\n TALKING PTS: Broncos \u2018BS\u2019 exposed; NSW bolter\u2019s stunning statement<\/a><\/p>\n