Forget last year - and even the second half of last weekend's trial - the Broncos have what it takes to make the NRL finals.
Fans were thrown through a loop in their trial loss to the Cowboys but I didn't mind what happened in the second half - a period in which they were outscored 28-0.
Here's why.
Defensively the team just fell apart with poor defensive reads in a reminder of last year, but Kevvie and the new-look coaching staff got to see that first hand. That's important and should help in the long run.
They showed in the first half against North Queensland that they can play footy only to let themselves down after the break.
Kevvie can address that. He can be very specific and talk about that.
Whether it wants to be heard or not, the club has reset and it's going to take time. Success is not going to happen overnight but it should come.
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While that is coming the Broncos have still got to compete. Yes, losses might come but if they compete for everything it's a positive.
The place is a lot more upbeat compared to where it's been the last couple of years.
I had a bit to do with six or seven of the guys for a Deadly Choices event a few weeks ago and I noticed a totally different mindset.
Going on what was said about the last couple of years, this playing group can actually now talk to the coaching staff, whereas before they weren't listened to.
Everyone must remember that Kevvie, Terry Matterson and John Cartwright are starting from scratch not only with these boys but also with each other.
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John and Terry are not "yes men" and Kevin's told me that they challenge him with their own views.
You don't want them agreeing with everything. There are three independent thinkers and I think that's a good thing.
The gist I got about last year was that it was Anthony Seibold's way or the highway.
In a footy club, everyone's got to be challenged. That includes the coach.
I'm confident we'll see a better group on the field than we did last year, there will be a different attitude. It's already chalk and cheese.
They're upbeat and always going to be with that coaching group.
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Kevvie has a big call to make around the halves but I know is he is very good at working with players individually and bringing a group together.
I think we'll see a bit more out of the halves in 2021, especially Anthony Milford. He reacts well to Kevin having been coached by him at the club in the past.
We'll see a different Milford this year. We know what he can do but he's just got to do it now and lead.
I've got the Broncos finishing in the top eight this year.
They can't be anywhere near the bottom of the ladder again, that's the expectation they need to put on themselves.
Seventh or eighth has to be the goal. Forget about the top four and just focus on that.
A lot of it will come down to belief. They were mentally flogged by the end of last year and physically, they were getting walloped on the field.
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One thing these players need to be aware of is that there's a level of expectation at the Broncos that isn't at other clubs.
As ex-players, we don't escape it and have to wear it around the community.
I remember Wayne Bennett saying you're always a Bronco. That ramps up another level if you stay in Brisbane once your playing days end.
I just can't see the Broncos looking at the wooden spoon again. It was too easy throwing the towel in last year. They simply can't repeat that nightmare.
The views in this article do not necessarily express the opinions of the NRL, ARLC, NRL clubs or state associations.
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