There were some obvious signs in the pre-season the Broncos were going to be up against it. Players having run ins with the law, senior players suffering serious long term injuries and some bizarre recruitment decisions. The fact the Broncos were the first team to finalise their 30 man NRL squad and 6 Development squad list after their 2019 season didn't bode well.
Expectations weren't high but in the first two rounds they demonstrated they could be a fringe top 8 team. Sure, they beat an awful Cowboys outfit and a very shakey South Sydney Rabbitohs, but the performances from the Broncos were spirited and even without a host of stars, they looked a lot sharper than they had in years.
Then Covid hit and for whatever reason, the Broncos were convinced the season wasn't going to restart until July at the absolute earliest. They booked Fifita in for surgery, left the players to their own devices as the Broncos figured out what cuts they had to make to the organisation. Then just after Fifita's surgery, V'landys announced the competition would resume and the draw would be revised. The Broncos went from a reasonable clash against the Gold Coast Titans to the Parramatta Eels to help spice up their ratings.
The two teams break a ratings record, but the Broncos come out of it the worst for wear after a horrific second half. The Broncos losing to the Eels wasn't a shock, the Eels were a much better team regardless, but the second half was awful and someplayers were coming up with some shocking efforts. To make matters worse, they lost three key players out of that game and had to take on the defending premiers the following week. They suffer another record loss and suddenly they're scrambling. They get one last shot at redemption against Manly and it appeared they were going to get a nice confidence boosting win leading 18-0. Then off the back of a 12-0 penalty count, the Broncos capitulate and lose 20-18 and from that point on they're just a broken team. They bomb easy tries, they cop one bad call so suddenly they give away 2-3 quick ones in succession and there's just no confidence in what they're doing. Injuries continue to pile, the coach makes way too many changes and they're in all sorts.
It appeared things would settle when they'd beat the Bulldogs. Sure, they weren't making the finals, but maybe they could finish the season on a brighter note and we could all pin this on a horror year and put Boyd's money to good use. Instead they pick up right where they left off against the Warriors and lose 48-0 in their worst effort yet.
It's been like that ever since with the odd rookie showing a glimmer of promise.
In a way, it was a blessing this season expidited the process for the Broncos. 2021 is shaping up to be even worse than 2020 for the club, but at least they can give themselves a shot at fixing themselves up for 2022. I just think Seibs went crazy on rookies or players he had something to do with when they were juniors who are very mediocre. Along with all the pre-existing issues which he never really addressed it's just come to a head spectacularly.
Crazy scenes on Channel 9 with Gus Gould having to deliver a pre-Origin spiel to encourage Broncos fans to stay tuned for the entire coverage. Clearly Channel 9 aren't enjoying the dip in ratings.
