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Phil Gould has admitted he has concerns over the Broncos, with injuries to key players leaving the side “vulnerable” heading into a tricky period of the 2024 season.
Last year’s grand finalists have just one win from three matches and will now be without Reece Walsh, Payne Haas and Brendan Piakura for the coming month.
Walsh suffered a facial fracture during the loss to Penrith, while star front-rower Haas is out of action due to a knee injury and won’t be back until round eight.
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Talented backrower Piakura limped off the training paddock on Tuesday.
Brisbane have a tough stretch with some of their best players on the sidelines, taking on the Cowboys and Storm in the next fortnight, before a local derby against the Dolphins and a clash against a tricky Canberra outfit.
Gould believes the absence of both men, as well as lingering concerns regarding captain Adam Reynolds and his fitness, could be “problematic” for the Broncos.
“Out of the team that got through to the grand final last year, you find yourself with five or six different people … yet you’re being treated like the grand finalists and one of the top picks to win the premiership,” he told Wide World Of Sports’ Six Tackles With Gus.
“It’s not your team, and having that many players out of your team is problematic for them. They are vulnerable at the moment.”
Watch the 2024 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Corey Oates has been recalled on the bench for the match against North Queensland, while Jaiyden Hunt steps into the backrow for his club debut and Tristan Sailor gets a shot at the No.1 jumper in place of Walsh.
Gould admitted while most clubs would struggle to remain competitive with key players injured, Brisbane find themselves in a more fortunate situation.
“When you get a cluster of them and they’re going to be out for an extended period, who are you exposing?” he said.
“Broncos have got a great development system and they’re able to hold players back longer and get them more grounding in the Queensland Cup than a lot of other clubs.
“They might be able to get over this and field a competitive side, but if that were to happen to some of the other teams … that’s why we get 50, 60 or 70-point scorelines.”
Brisbane will face the Cowboys on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.
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