Take nothing for granted: hurt of 2023 GF fuels Broncos
Joel Gould |
Brisbane utilities Billy Walters and Tyson Smoothy, both survivors of the heartbreaking 2023 grand final, say the pain of that loss is driving them to make amends.
The fifth-placed Broncos are still a chance of finishing fourth if they can beat North Queensland (away) and Melbourne (home) in their remaining two matches.
Walters and Smoothy were members of the side that gave up a 16-point lead to lose 26-24 to Penrith in the decider two years ago.
“It definitely hurts when you think back to it,” Smoothy said.
“It gets brought up every now and then and you just want another crack at it. There’s no regrets about it at all. Obviously it’s just a learning curve for everyone, but I’d love to get another crack.”
The 31-year-old Walters, who has moved to five-eighth from his favourite hooking role, said the Broncos would back themselves to win the title even if they finish outside the top four. No team in NRL history has achieved the feat.
“For sure. I’m sure the Panthers and Sharks and Roosters are outside the top four thinking the same thing. They are great teams,” Walters said.
“There will be a few teams worried to play us in the finals when we get there. Records are made to be broken, so someone is going to do it eventually and I think this year is as good as any that someone could.
“The goal is to get in the top four, that would make it a bit easier, but there’s no easy games in finals and you have to work hard to get there, it’s the same thing whether you finish fourth or fifth.”
Walters has been superb at five-eighth since the hamstring injury to Ezra Mam in round 22. When skipper Adam Reynolds returns at half from a hamstring injury in the next fortnight, Walters could be on the move again.
The ultimate team man will only have one goal, just like his father and Broncos legend Kevin Walters.
“It would be unbelievable to win another premiership. I watched dad win five here so I might make him nervous trying to catch his premiership rings,” he said.
“It was my childhood club growing up and, coming so close in 2023, it would be unbelievable to get a ring before I finish.”
The loss to the Panthers in 2023, compounded by missing the finals last year, has added to the burning desire to win the big one.
“For sure, especially with the way everything went last year,” Walters said.
“It showed us to take nothing for granted and being in the finals is hard, let alone making a grand final. If we were given the same opportunity again we won’t make the same mistake twice. We will be ready.”
AAP
