After helping his side secure a top four finish in a dramatic game against the Storm, veteran Ben Hunt believes the Broncos can take a lot of confidence from the victory into their upcoming finals campaign.
The Broncos will travel to Canberra to take on the Raiders in a qualifying final, with Hunt saying with the right attitude, the side could beat anyone.
“(The win over the Storm) gives us a lot of confidence,” Hunt said.
“We don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves though, we're going down to Canberra next week to play the number one team.
“We have got to improve, but we have just got to bring that same attitude I think.
“I feel like if we come with the same attitude we did (tonight), play the brand of footy I know we can play, I think we can go with anyone.”
The two teams have only met once so far this season, a 32-22 victory to the Raiders in Round 2, with Hunt saying were disappointed with the way they played in that game.
“We were pretty disappointed with the performance; it was early in the year, but we definitely didn't play the style or they type of footy we wanted to,” Hunt said.
“It's definitely going to be a tougher challenge again; they've been the most consistent team all year.
“They're at the top for a reason, and we're going to be up against it.”
Walsh saves the best 'til last!
A key to victory will be the performance of star fullback Reece Walsh, who once again was a standout against the Storm with two tries, a 40/20 and some game-changing defence.
Hunt said Walsh, who has been criticised in the past for his inconsistency with some potential match-winning plays undone by irrational errors, has found a good balance.
“He's been fantastic and I think he played a great game,” Hunt said.
“It was probably his most controlled game for a while, he was really good … I don't think we win without him.
“He's playing some really good footy at the right end of the year.
“He's really coming into his own.
“I'm calling plays out there to try and settle him down, (but) he's like, ‘nah, let me take it; let me do this and that’ and you have just got to set him free.”
All Tries – Broncos v Storm
Since taking on the halfback role officially in Round 24 following the loss of captain Adam Reynolds to a hamstring injury in their Round 23 loss to Melbourne, the Broncos have been undefeated.
Hunt however said he would be happy to step aside and slot back into the five-eighth role (with Ezra Mam also sidelined with a hamstring injury) to accommodate the return of Reynolds who was working hard to be fit for finals.
“Hopefully the old fellow's back soon, Reyno, he really gets us around the park; his calmness out there, his kicking game, so hopefully he's back soon,” Hunt said.
“But that'd be the obvious decision (to move to five-eighth), he’s the captain of our club, he's our general and I think that'd be right.”
