Pokie plunge not a problem

EACH SATURDAY The Chronicle team talks about the big issues in sport locally, nationally and internationally.

Glen, Jason and Sean share some of their views in the hope it will generate some discussion among The Chronicle’s readership.

Tell us what you think about today’s topic by emailing jason.gibbs@thechronicle.com .au or send an SMS to 0437 875 203.

Today The Chronicle sport team talks about the Brisbane Broncos having a flutter on the pokies the night before that now infamous final against the Parramatta Eels.

JASON GIBBS: There’s no denying we’d be talking about this in a completely different light if the Broncos won.

Players throwing a few “red lobsters” into the Queen of the Nile wouldn’t have looked great but we’d be describing it as cheeky and rogueish if they’d won.

Known disciplinarian Craig Bellamy was asked for his take and I think he summed things up perfectly.

“Our players know what’s expected of them but we’re not going to go sit home in the lounge room with them or make sure they have this for dinner and make sure they go to bed at this time and whatever,” he said.

“A little bit of education I suppose and then it’s their responsibility .... ”

People are saying they (the players) need minders because clearly they can’t control themselves.

Those same people are also saying Anthony Seibold has lost the dressing room - what a load of rubbish that is.

At the end of the day they’re adults and just as importantly professionals.

It doesn’t look good but it’s not like they were sucking back rum and cokes getting drunk.

They know what works for them the night before a big game and they should do what works.

GLEN McCULLOUGH: I am fairly certain of one thing. Teams and players over the years have got up to a lot more shenanigans before a big game or event than the Broncs playing poker machines and have still gone out the next day and blitzed it.

What the Broncs got up to was hardly irresponsible or mischievous.

It’s more in the dumb category in that it doesn’t pass the modern-day “pub test.”

These bloody pub tests have got more and more to answer for every day, and high profile people need to be awake to that.

Where the players slipped up is not keeping the management in the loop of their plans and movements.

Their pokie outing may well have been knocked on the head, but it’s all about following protocol.

Everyone knows the Broncos’ problems run far deeper than pokiegate.

But it is probably a screenshot of their arrogance and sense of entitlement that likely comes from earning ship loads of money in a one-team town full of stars living on the club’s reputation who’ll get the job done if you don’t. SEAN TEUMA: Of course it wouldn’t be a problem if they won, and personally I doubt it would’ve made the news had they not have been smacked around by Parramatta.

Do you really think Broncos fans would be up in arms if a few blokes had a slap at More Chilli the night before beating the Eels and playing for a spot in a preliminary final the next week?

Not a chance.

The whole thing has been epically blown out of proportion for the pure fact they turned in one of the most despicable performances that has ever been witnessed in a semi final.

Maybe it’s just me, but the whole thing about players being in their rooms and in bed by 8.30pm, just sounds plain odd.

I envy people who can get their head on a pillow and are out to it by that time, I certainly couldn’t.

So if they’ve gone for a short walk to a local pub, without having a drop of grog, had a quick hit of the lobster traps and got an ice cream on the way home, what is the big deal?

Personally I think way too much has been read into it.

They’re grown men who are responsible for their own actions.

If they had their time again, would they have gone into the pub? Probably not.

Would anyone have a care in the world if the Broncos were running around this weekend against the Storm? Not in the slightest.