EXCLUSIVE: Sam Thaiday floats 'humble pie' axing for Broncos gun who played Origin last year

Broncos great Sam Thaiday has questioned whether Gehamat Shibasaki could benefit from a stint in reserve grade after a slow start to the season.

Shibasaki enjoyed one of the great career turnarounds last year, going from a fringe first grader to a State of Origin series winner and Kangaroos representative.

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The 28-year-old surprised most within the NRL during his rise to the top, culminating in a premiership victory with Brisbane and year-end Ashes triumph for Australia.

However, in the opening two rounds of the 2026 campaign, Shibasaki has been below his best - not that he's alone at the Broncos, who have lost both games.

Shibasaki has missed a combined seven tackles in the losses against Penrith and Parramatta, while failing to register a try or try assist in either match.

Speaking on Wide World of Sports' QLDER this week, Thaiday suggested it could be time to give Shibasaki a freshen up and says it could help the centre.

"As much as I love Gehamat Shibasaki and he had such a great season last year, there's been a couple of things where he's been lacking," he said.

"He was brilliant defensively last year and got some really good reads right, but he's just been a little bit off this year. It was a massive year, so maybe there's a little bit of fatigue.

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"You never want to see it but if it does happen, I'd sit down with Gehamat and have a coffee with him and have a chat with him and tell him it's not the end of the world.

"It's an opportunity to get better."

Thaiday was synonymous with the Broncos for well over a decade, playing 304 games for the club during his storied career.

But it wasn't all smooth sailing, which is why the former Maroons enforcer is adamant a potential axing could be just what Shibasaki needs.

"I think Wayne [Bennett] dropped me after an Origin once and that was the humble pie I needed," Thaiday said.

"I literally went from having a great year in 2006 where I played all three Origins and we win the series, we win a grand final and I go on to play for Australia.

"The following season was the worst season of my career, I probably came back a little bit underdone and I was a lot more fatigued.

"It was a year I'd like to be able to put a line through, but it was a great learning curve for myself. I needed a little bit of humble pie and it was great for me."

Brisbane will take on the Melbourne Storm on Friday night.