Broncos great Corey Parker is predicting his old club can cause a major upset against the high-flying North Queensland Cowboys tonight at Suncorp Stadium.
Last year’s runners up currently sit in 14th on the NRL ladder following losses to the Roosters and Panthers and are missing stars Reece Walsh and Payne Haas, while the undefeated Cowboys sit in first.
However, Parker believes that if the Broncos’ young guns can step up, they can lasso the Cowboys.
“The Cowboys haven’t lost a game, they’re the form team in the competition, 3-0 coming into this game, against a depleted Broncos, however, I do believe the Broncos can get the upset,” Parker said on SENQ.
“I just love the fact the chips are down, backs against the wall, but they’re back at home. I’m sensing something happening over Easter.
Parker pointed to three things needing to happen to win their Good Friday showdown: complete high, kick into corners, and for new players to step up.
“I’m leaning on Corey Jensen, (Xavier) Willison, Fletcher Baker, these sorts of players that are still yet to really announce themselves in the NRL,” Parker said.
“If you want to pout the spotlight on (Baker) for a second; bought from the roosters, young guy, great future, still hasn’t announced himself in a Broncos jersey. Well, chips are down, no Payne Haas, there’s a great opportunity, put your hand up Fletcher.
“They need to do their role and do it very well. They need to go after the game because that’s where it’s gonna be won or lost in the middle… and there’s no better pack to do it against than the Cowboys.
“Don’t take anything away from Tristan Sailor who I thought in his games last year really stood tall and provided the Broncos something extra.”
The Broncos will be wanting to avoid a 1-3 start, when their game kicks off at 8pm.