Lodge promises 'fireworks' as Broncos address poor Sydney starts
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Matt Lodge has promised "fireworks" early in Sunday’s elimination final with the Eels at Bankwest Stadium as the Broncos prepare to rectify their chronic slow starts in Sydney.
Apart from the 24-22 win over Cronulla in round 16 with a bunch of rookies, the Broncos have been lethargic in all four of their other games in Sydney this year.
They trailed 22-0 against the Roosters in round four before losing 36-4. In round eight the Rabbitohs led 24-0 before winning 38-6.
Brisbane trailed 26-0 against the Eels in round 14 and lost 38-10.
Last week the Bulldogs went up 10-0 early against a lethargic Broncos outfit before prevailing 30-14.
Lodge said that recurring theme had to change on Sunday and he and Payne Haas will be looking to rumble early with Junior Paulo and Nathan Brown to try and gain the ascendancy.
Match: Eels v Broncos
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Eels
5th Position
away Team
Broncos
8th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
"To be honest, we've been pretty shit in Sydney and everyone knows that. It's a different ball game now and we can't afford to start slow and we must go down there with a different mindset," Lodge said.
"If I knew the answer, we would have fixed it. It hasn't been good enough and it's something we need to fix this year and into the future.
"They start fast, but I am backing our guys to start fast as well and there are going to be some fireworks at the start of the game.
Finals Snapshot: Broncos
"We have to be good through the middle because they start pretty aggressive and fast and we have to compete on the edges. We have to have a good kicking game on the night and control field position and possession and that will go a long way towards helping us win."
Lodge is aware the Broncos have been written off in some quarters due to their poor record in Sydney.
"The more games we win, the more people shut up so that's the only way to do it," he said.
"All the boys here are confident, there's probably some people writing us off but there's belief in the group and we are preparing well for Sunday.
"You have to take confidence out of beating them two weeks ago [17-16 at Suncorp]. I know we're seen as underdogs but that's not our mindset.
"People say we can get bullied through the middle but good luck trying to bully guys like Dave [Fifita] and Payne [Haas]."
Oates out to make amends
Winger Corey Oates pinpointed the need for more communication in the early stages of Sunday's match if Brisbane are to match the emotion-charged the Eels will make in front of a boisterous home crowd.
"I just have to run hard and try and get our sets going, and make sure there's plenty of talk with the edges," he said.
"You can't win games without talking to each other and communicating. I just have to be aggressive and back myself.”
Oates had an off night with his hands at Bankwest in round 14 and is keen to make amends.
"I have definitely put that one behind me. It's a different week. It's finals footy. I have got to be on my game no matter what,” he said.
“You can't have those little mistakes in these types of games. They are going to hurt you, especially against a team like Parra. They can jump on those opportunities and take them with both hands, and make you pay."
