Why the Broncos feel they’re travelling as underdogs
THE Broncos have played one home game in three seasons.
They’re booed every game they play.
In 2020, they’re the only team who have endured the longest travel time.
This is why Brisbane’s NRLW playing group are claiming the underdog status leading into Sunday’s grand final against the Roosters and they’re relishing it. One of Brisbane’s foundation players – Meg Ward – drew the ire of Roosters coach Jamie Feeney last week after she claimed the Broncos were the underdog side in the NRLW competition.
“They’ve won all the competitions,” Feeney said in the aftermath of last week’s 24-16 Brisbane victory. “There was a story this week that they were underdogs but I don‘t know how they work that out. “(Broncos coach Kelvin Wright) Kelvin’s done well to spin that into their heads.
“They’re not underdogs, noone believes that. They’re favourites for a reason. They’ve won two premierships and have only ever lost one game in how ever many they’ve played.”
But the Brisbane playing group have hit back at questions over whether they can be considered underdogs despite their undefeated 2020 season. It is worth noting the Warriors have had a tough 2020 season as well, having had to uproot their lives and stay in Sydney for the duration of the NRLW competition.
For the Broncos though, the constant travel to Sydney and lack of home games has only added fuel to the fire.
Brisbane captain and Dally M Female Player of the Year Ali Brigginshaw said the club was embracing the setbacks. “We don’t have the home crowd,” Brigginshaw said. “When we go there (Sydney), everyone’s cheering for everyone but us and the boys get that too. The Brisbane Broncos aren’t loved wherever they go.
“We don’t go out to try to win people over. We just play our game. The more people that put us down gives us more fire.
“You see that when we run out that we take each game like it’s a grand final.”