By Joel Gould
Brisbane coach Kevin Walters says every player in his squad has accepted responsibility for improving the side’s defensive clout as he gave an insight into the reasons for the team’s strong start to the year.
The undefeated Broncos host cellar-dwellers Wests Tigers on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium, with Walters insisting there is no complacency among the players.
The Broncos celebrate a try by winger Selwyn Cobbo (left).Credit:Getty
The Broncos lost five of their last six games in 2022, conceding 211 points at an average of 35 per match to miss the finals.
They have won all opening four rounds this year while letting in 58 points at an average of 14.5 per game.
“That’s the mentality of the club,” Walters said.
“No matter if they are in their first year of NRL, played four or five years or had 10-plus seasons like Adam Reynolds, they are all the same in working hard for each other in defence.
“It was important that we started the season well and that people could see a real change in our defence, which they have.
“It is one month. We’ve got another six months to go and we have to keep going with it.”
The attitude and mindset of being gritty in defence and working together as a collective is coming from the coaches but most importantly the players are enacting it.
“They have the respect amongst themselves to go out and tackle and be quite desperate about their defence as well,” Walters said.
“There is lots of energy and effort going into our line speed in defence and our ability to work together in little groups.
“That has been the real difference. You can talk about it and know what to do, but the players are doing it.”
Every time Walters has talked about dazzling fullback Reece Walsh before or after a game this term he has mentioned a great tackle made by his No.1.
“A lot of the work there has been done by (former captain) Darius Boyd,” Walters said.
“He’s been working a lot with our outside backs on their defensive positioning and the type of tackle they need to make in certain situations.
“We are getting good results because the effort is there and they are all working together.”
They may be flying high this season but the Broncos have lost their past four games against Wests Tigers.
“We are not underestimating anything about the Tigers,” Walters said.
“Whilst they haven’t won a game this year, they’ve played some really good football in patches.
“They will be hurting with their start to the season. They have got a good history against us as well so there is plenty to respect about the Tigers.”
