Brisbane Broncos coach Anthony Seibold admits changes are on the horizon, after his side slumped to their fourth straight defeat since the NRL season restarted last month.
Before the season was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Broncos were flying high atop the ladder, but they've come crashing down with four brutal losses, their latest against the Newcastle Knights on Thursday night.
A lone intercept try laid on by former Broncos hooker Andrew McCullough was the only source of points for Brisbane, as they lost 27-6 at Central Coast Stadium.
Led by props Daniel Saifiti and David Klemmer, the Knights forward pack outmuscled Brisbane, as they ran in four tries to move into second in the NRL standings, with the Broncos now sitting 12th.
"I was really frustrated, we just made it hard for ourselves," says Seibold.
"There was a bit of effort, but we just didn't play smart footy.
"It comes down to individuals taking responsibility. Maybe I need to look at making some changes.
"I did it last year and I might have to look at it again, but the challenge is the guys sitting in behind our main team don't get to play footy on the weekend, so you are taking a bit of a punt there.
"There's no doubt we need more from our elite players."
The Broncos could be forced to make two changes, with forwards Patrick Carrigan and Tevita Pangai Jnr put on report for dangerous tackles.
Carrigan was sin-binned for a late shot on Knights halfback Mitchell Pearce in the second half, while Pangai, who was playing in his first match since March, after serving a four-game ban, was pinged for a shoulder charge on Klemmer.
Broncos captain Alex Glenn said some tough conversations between players will need to happen if they're to get out of their slump.
"We're professional athletes and we've got to be better," says the former NZ international. "We've got to have each other's backs.
"We've talked about our defence needs to be better and our preparation through the week. Our coaches are prepping us really well, it's just when we get out on the field, we know what our role is, but when push comes to shove, we crack under pressure and that's the harsh reality.
"We've all got to look in the mirror and ask 'are you giving 100 percent for each other out on that field?'"
The Broncos face Gold Coast Titans in their next match, while the Knights face North Queensland Cowboys.
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