Groundhog Day for Broncos but Dearden return offers hope

After a strong first half the Broncos found themselves in Groundhog Day in the 46-8 loss to the Storm with the return of Tom Dearden at halfback one bright spot.

The Broncos trailed 14-8 at half-time at Suncorp Stadium after a half of effort and desire but when the Storm applied the blowtorch in the second stanza they crumbled.

The Broncos have failed to score a point in six second halves since the competition’s resumption but their performance was an improvement on the 48-nil loss to Wests Tigers the week before.

"This week’s effort to last week’s effort was chalk and cheese. Any criticism that came our way last week was deserved," coach Anthony Seibold said.

"The scoreline got away from us in the second half but I think everyone could see that there was a whole heap of effort and that the guys came with a good attitude.

"It was a really good first half and that is as good as we have been since the resumption after COVID. That is what makes it really disappointing how the scoreline got away from us in the second half.

"We  were nowhere near good enough in that second half. When things go against us we need to show more resilience and more grit."

The coach wants his team to show resilience in adversity which is why he said he was "not happy in any shape or form" with the second half fadeout which was largely a result of poor ends to sets.

"Some of these guys are  learning. We have got some experience there in guys like Darius [Boyd]," he said.

"It is not an excuse but we had 12 or 13 guys who have played NRL out for us tonight. At the moment when things go wrong they go really wrong.

"It is quite a challenge for us. I know that the group I have got will get better. They have got to get games into them. If I am a Broncos supporter… stick solid with these guys.

"They are trying their best. They do work hard at training. They are taking some big lessons on the field at the moment. We just have to find a way to support them and challenge them to get better."

Seibold said that Anthony Milford showed some nice touches at fullback while 19-year-old Dearden's poise in his first starting game of the season was a promising sign.

The young half organised the side well in the first half, was involved in the only try to Herbie Farnworth and gave the Broncos attack more shape.

"Tom was really good for us. He had another disallowed try on his edge there to Herbie Farnworth and Tommy was part of that," Seibold said.

"The challenge at the moment is that they haven’t played for a while with no Queensland Cup or NSW Cup. Tommy will be better for the run."

There have been questions raised about whether the side is fit enough for the rigours of the NRL.

"The performance staff tell me that we are fit enough and I have been to enough clubs now to know enough about training loads to have a good understanding,” Seibold said.

"The big thing is possession. When you have to do so much defence it does put a lot of fatigue in.

"The other thing is that we have got some guys right at the beginning of their career. Cory Paix and Tyson Gamble in the middle, when they are in the washing machine it is a big learning curve and the only way they experience it is by actually playing. We do fall away at different times."