"Unmitigated disaster": Kemp criticises Broncos after seventh straight loss

With Brisbane’s chances of returning to finals fading away, Denan Kemp has given his assessment of their season so far.

After breaking their 19-year premiership drought last year, the Broncos have been unable to capture that same form in 2026.

After their ANZAC Day Eve win over the Bulldogs, the Broncos have not won a game seeing them slide to 13th on the ladder and three games adrift from the eight.   

That losing streak of six games was extended to seven on Friday night with the Roosters getting the job done following a 24-18 win.

Despite the loss, Kemp acknowledged that the side had looked much better, as Xavier Willison’s injury in the 10th minute had a major impact.

“I actually thought they had a red-hot crack,” Kemp explained on SEN’s Saturday League Kick-Off.

“They just got up against, especially, a second-half Roosters side that played some of their best footy, at least defensively.

“I also think there are very few sides outside of maybe the Warriors, the Dolphins, Penrith that have the forward pack to do what the Roosters did to the Broncos.

“(They) lost Xavier Willison too early on, and I know that (the) Roosters weren't full strength as well.

“However, when you're already missing four or five of your starters, which was like (Adam) Reynolds, (Ezra) Mam, Deine Mariner, Paddy Carrigan (but) when you lose another young fella like Willison, it hurts.

“So, in the actual game, it was actually a good game of rugby league.”

But while it was a better performance by the club, the former Broncos winger remained critical of their season so far.

“It's a weird one,” he said.

“When you consider the bird's eye view of their season, it's an absolute disaster.

“There’s no other way (to put it). I understand that you know internally they've gotta speak quite positively, and I'm happy with the boys' effort, and they're working really hard.

“I get all that, you're trying to avoid a headline, but it's an unmitigated disaster. It really is.”

The Broncos’ Round 18 clash comes next Saturday when they host Cronulla at Suncorp Stadium.

Kick-off is at 7:35pm AEST with SEN having live coverage of the match through Broncos Radio from 7:20pm on SENQ, SENTrack Brisbane and on the SEN app.