EXCLUSIVE: Broncos great's 'hangover' theory could explain horror three-week slump
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Brisbane legend Darius Boyd has offered a theory behind the team's worrying form slump that has seen the Broncos tumble down the NRL ladder to sit 11th on the back of three concerning losses.
The reigning premiers have endured a rollercoaster start to their title defence with five wins from 11 games ahead of a much needed bye this week.
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They were being bashed from pillar to post by critics following three straight losses to start the year, with a shock defeat in the World Club Challenge followed by shockers against Penrith and Parramatta to kick off the NRL season.
They then recovered to win five of their next six games, even in the face of a crippling injury crisis.
But Michael Maguire's men are once again scrambling for answers after consecutive losses to the Roosters, Sea Eagles, and Warriors, while leaking an abysmal 112 points in the space of three weeks.
Broncos players Adam Reynolds and Patrick Carrigan react during a loss to the Warriors. Getty
Former champion fullback Boyd believes the team's current plight is the result of overperforming for several weeks while battling a large injury toll.
"Maybe it's a bit of a hangover," Boyd said on Wide World of Sports' QLDER.
"If you think back, they won three or four games with all these injuries, guys missing, and no one gave them a chance and they've really been performing well for a long period of time.
"It just shows when you start debuting more and more guys, you get to the bottom end of your squad, some of these guys can do it for a week or two, but to do it week in, week out, month in, month out, that's the challenge.
"The Broncos need the bye, a timely bye to get some guys back on the park.
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Va'a Semu of the Broncos is taken from the field injured. Getty
"It's going to be an interesting couple of weeks ahead for them."
The hardest void to fill has been Payne Haas, the NRL's best prop, who has only managed to start six games this season as he battles a knee problem.
Compounding that loss is the club's decision to allow giant forward Ben Te Kura to head to America for six weeks to pursue an NFL opportunity.
The club's casualty ward currently also features Brendan Piakura, Billy Walters, Blake Mozer, Corey Jensen, Deine Mariner, Delouise Hoeter, Jordan Riki, and rookie winger Antonio Verhoeven. Superstar fullback Reece Walsh missed several weeks with a facial injury, while other players have also missed games over the first half of the season.
The team has also missed gun centre Kotoni Staggs due to suspension in recent weeks, and now he heads into State of Origin camp.
"They are a tad too short in the forwards now, it's become a bridge too far," Nine journalist Adam Jackson said on QLDER.
"That middle forward position in modern day rugby league is so valuable. You can see even Pat Carrigan, who is a really cool, calm character, he got really frustrated in that game and gave away a few penalties.
"The toll of no Payne Haas (has hurt them), and also Corey Jensen goes under the radar, the role he plays."
Brisbane has four players in Origin camps now while the rest of the squad gets a week off.
The Broncos then face the struggling Dragons and Titans in consecutive weeks, both games Maguire's side will be expected to win.
Haas is expected back after the bye.
