‘Hurting’ Broncos warned

BRISBANE boss Paul White has put underperforming Broncos stars on notice, warning players to fix their attitude or risk putting their futures in jeopardy at Red Hill.

Breaking his silence on Brisbane’s form crisis, White turned up the heat on Broncos players and demanded an immediate turnaround in performance for next Saturday’s derby clash against the Titans at Suncorp Stadium.

Furious Brisbane supporters took to the club’s socialmedia platforms to lash the Broncos after their 27-6 capitulation against the Knights, with many calling for the sacking of besieged coach Anthony Seibold.

But White and Broncos board member Darren Lockyer have shifted accountability to the players. They are demanding Broncos stars find a tougher mental edge to prove they are committed to the fans, Brisbane’s $52 million brand and breaking the club’s 14-year premiership drought.

“There’s no excuses here,” White said.

“When we lose, everyone at the club hurts and if there’s anyone not hurting after a performance like that then they have to question their place at the Broncos.

“I’m hoping the response of the playing group this week (against the Titans) reflects that.

“This is a talented group of players, they showed that in the opening rounds against the Cowboys and the Rabbitohs (with two consecutive wins), but they need a change of mindset.”

In a diabolical month since the NRL’S restart, the Broncos have conceded 140 points in four games and suffered a club record 59-0 loss to the Roosters. The Broncos are in danger of missing the finals for just the third time in the past 29 years and White has appealed for Brisbane’s huge fan base, which includes 37,000 members, not to walk away.

“We all bleed,” he said. Lockyer added: “The entire Broncos playing group needs a good honest conversation to say, ‘Why are we like this? What are we doing and how do we fix it’?”