BRISBANE STAYS QUIET ON ‘CRISIS’

UNLIKE their effort in the NRL elimination final, Brisbane refused to give anything away at their end-of-season review yesterday.

TV cameras were planted and reporters converged on Broncos headquarters at Red Hill following reports heads would roll at the players’ meeting after their humiliating finals exit.

Especially after it had emerged six senior players had left the team hotel to play poker machines at a Sydney pub without coach Anthony Seibold’s knowledge until after 11pm on the eve of their record 58-0 loss to Parramatta.

But arguably the fact that no one was made available to speak to reporters about what was described by one media outlet as a “crisis meeting” was just as unflattering.

Serious questions had emerged after Brisbane’s worst finals loss in history. And it seemed even more had to be asked after the pokies drama.

Has Seibold lost the Broncos dressing room? Do the Brisbane players lack leadership?

Then there is speculation about the future of some Broncos players. Veteran hooker Andrew McCullough and highly paid fullback Anthony Milford were reportedly on thin ice even before they were both implicated in the pokies controversy.

Despite initial speculation that CEO Paul White would front, the Broncos did not speak to the media at the end-of-season review, ensuring a media circus outside Clive Berghofer Centre.

With access to the Broncos’ car park off limits, TV cameras and photographers peered over a neighbouring fence just to catch a glimpse of the players.

Wary players did not seem surprised by the media scrum as they came and went in silence.

However, some support staff did. “Is there a rock star here? Is there a royal visit?” one was overheard asking at the Broncos headquarters’ cafe.

The outcome of the review may not be known for months. But like the players seen chancing their arm in Sydney pub Harpoon and Hotel Harry’s gaming lounge on Saturday night, fans are hoping a newlook Broncos will have their eyes on the prize in 2020.