Brisbane's title defence off to terrible start as Panthers overcome prelim final 'nightmares'

Brisbane's premiership defence is off to a shocking start after a 26-0 drubbing at the hands of the Panthers.

A terrible completion rate and high penalty count will no doubt have coach Michael Maguire fuming while Panthers mentor Ivan Cleary would be stoked with his side's defence.

Overall, the Broncos completed at 61 per cent, had 18 errors and eight penalties at Suncorp Stadium. Penrith were at 72 per cent, had 14 errors and conceded two penalties.

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The win formed some revenge for the Panthers, who lost to the Broncos in last year's preliminary final after a thrilling comeback.

Post-match, Nathan Cleary admitted there were some thoughts about last season at half time.

"There was probably some nightmares from last year's prelim to be honest," he told Nine's coverage.

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The Panthers started strong with Casey McLean scoring after Reece Walsh dropped a contested bomb.

Dylan Edwards was next to score in the 19th minute, stepping easily around Jack Gosiweski to make it 12-0.

The Panthers did give the Broncos attacking territory on multiple occasions before half time but the home side constantly came up with errors.

That happened again with four minutes left when Jordan Riki and Kotoni Staggs both conceded errors. Staggs was also penalised for being inside the 10 metres with seconds before Thomas Jenkins scored right on the break.

At half-time, the words of Edwards may have suggested the difference between the sides when asked how to keep errors down.

"It's about being more patient, those three or four pass tries are not going to come off in round one so checking your ego, getting down on the ground and playing the ball fast," he told Nine.

In the second half, the errors kept coming from the Broncos with Cameron Smith - who is on Brisbane's coaching staff - explaining how a title defence works.

"You need to hit the reset button," he said on Nine.

"Last year's gone, it's not going to help you win a single game this year ... you've got to be willing to work hard and you start from scratch once again."

It looked like neither side would land a try in the final 40 minutes until Jenkins plucked an intercept off a Reece Walsh pass near halfway to seal the win.

"It wasn't a victory built on brilliant play or clinical football or great attacking strategy," Phil Gould said.

"It was just outwork your opponents, kick and chase and allow them to beat themselves and the Broncos contributed a big part to their own demise."