Brisbane 'a lot closer' and keen to prove point against Eels

Corey Oates says a Broncos team that's more unified than ever will take on the Eels next Thursday night.

The Broncos winger said the side had made great strides forward since the disastrous elimination final loss to Parramatta last year.

There were lessons learned, and an entire pre-season spent building a physical and mental sturdiness in the playing group.

That's why Oates was quick to say that the side, the youngest on average age in the competition, had more than a point to prove against Parramatta when quizzed on the 58-0 loss.

"I don’t think there is any redemption. We have got a point to prove all year. We’ve done a good job of that in the first two rounds and as a team we are focusing on trying to continue that and show that it wasn’t a fluke," Oates said.

"People doubted us with our age, with our talent and with our desire. There are a lot of things that people doubted us about. We know that we have a very talented team. Even though it is young it is full of size, speed and talent.

"Last year, we were disappointed with the whole year. We were very inconsistent. This year we want to be known as a consistent team that will show up every week."

Oates said the team was now a lot more unified than it was in the leadup to the 2019 season. Another year under coach Anthony Seibold has helped get the players used to his ways but the bond within the playing group has also tightened.

"It was a real interrupted pre-season the first one. Everyone knows that but we can’t blame that," Oates said.

"We could have come together as a group a lot better but now it feels a lot better. The whole team is a lot closer.

"I wouldn’t have a drama going out with anyone and it feels like we are one big group, whereas it felt like we were all in different groups last year just because of what was happening."

Oates said Seibold’s methods had not changed much over the past 12 months, with the willingness of the playing group to listen the biggest shift.

"I think he is still trying to push the same message across but as a group we are buying into it a lot more," he said.