Kurt Capewell and Kotoni Staggs have vastly different experiences of playing finals football, but both have the belief the Broncos have what it takes to go all the way this season.
Capewell won the 2021 premiership with Penrith after losing the decider in 2020 and has also experienced finals success at the Sharks, while Staggs has only ever been handed heavy defeats in the opening week of finals, going down in both 2018 and 2019.
Staggs was also with the Broncos when they won the wooden spoon in 2020 and having gone through the tough times, including falling out of the top eight last season, was happy to see the club enjoying the rewards of their hard work.
“There's a few boys that have been through it all and the season there where we got wooden spoon was pretty tough,” Staggs said.
“To take that all in and soak it up and to be where we are now is just one step in front where we need to go to.
"We are just looking forward to each week as it comes. We still have the same mindset of the whole year, which has been taking that step by step.
“We have earnt this (opportunity to play finals). We came out of the gates at the start of year and focused on one thing, and that was making the finals.
“Last year, we took a step back and we didn't finish that season off well (by finishing ninth), but we all bonded together this year and have gotten a lot closer.
“Everybody knows what they're doing on the field and it's just good to be in this position.”
With his experience, Capewell will be a key cog in Brisbane’s finals tilt and he said that while many of his teammates didn’t know the feeling of playing winning finals football, the work done by the squad all season would put them on the right path.
“They haven't played finals as such, but a lot of them have played big games,” Capewell said.
“Nothing really needs to change, we have just got to play our footy and if everyone does their job right, and the result will take care of itself.
“(In this team) I see a great bond off the field, superstar talent and a work ethic to be the best that they can be.
“It's been a real driving force of our team this year, continuously getting better week-in, week-out.
“That's what it takes to win a comp and yeah, I think we can.”
Their first step towards ultimate success however will be to get off to a winning start and break their hoodoo against the Storm when the two teams face off once again at Suncorp Stadium this Friday night.
Last Thursday, the Storm recorded their 40th win from 54 games when the teams met to close out the regular season, a remarkable statistic that holds no fear for Staggs.
“Storm's a good team and I think, over the couple of years, they've been the better team, but we don't put anything on that,” Staggs said.
“Whatever happens, happens. At the end of the day, we have just got to go in there with a clear mindset.
“We need to train well this week and have a good preparation to go into this game.
“I think our boys are ready to go and I think we're pretty glad that we actually have got Storm on this run … we're looking forward to this.”
Capewell: We've been building all season for this time of year
Capewell acknowledged turning the tide against their first-up opponents would be tough but said there was a plan in place to help them rewrite recent history.
“They're a dangerous team all over the park, no matter who's playing for them, their spine are very hard to handle and we'll be looking just to shut them down,” Capewell said.
“I think they're a great team on their own right; they don't ever beat themselves. They don't let you in the game and they don’t let you have an easy win.
“They are team that you've got to take your opportunities (against) when they come and you have got to stop their opportunities when they get them, so we look forward to the challenge.”
Match: Broncos v Storm
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Broncos
2nd Position
away Team
Storm
3rd Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
