The Broncos enter Sunday’s sudden-death semi-final against the Knights as underdogs but captain Ali Brigginshaw is confident her side can take down the ladder leaders, having come so close before.
“We're definitely hitting form coming into the game and that one hurts from Newcastle,” Brigginshaw said of Brisbane’s late Round 5 loss.
“We had them on the ropes and we should have finished that off, but with a few lapses, we let them win.
“So redemption definitely; going back to Newcastle … and the girls are pumped for that.
“We're hitting form; we've got some confidence within those girls now and we're taking on Newcastle who knocked us off, so bring on Sunday.”
Knights v Broncos - Round 5, 2023
After a slow start to the season, the longer competition has suited the Broncos who have not dropped a game since their loss to the Knights, but Brigginshaw knows any more lapses against Newcastle will be costly.
“We've been the coach-killer team and we've been walking that tightrope the last couple of weeks and we've done it to ourselves all year,” Brigginshaw said.
“We nearly let that one against the Tigers (in Round 8) slip as well, so little lapses, they can't win your grand finals.
“We're definitely cleaning up that area of our game and our missed tackles have been under 30 for the last couple of weeks.
“Princey (coach Scott Prince) holds us accountable for absolutely everything. Every little mistake, every little memory lapse he holds us accountable for.
“Coming into Sunday, we know we've got a tough job against the Knights, but we are going to be prepared.”
One player the Broncos know they need to be particularly prepared for is Brigginshaw’s Queensland Maroons teammate Tamika Upton would also be in their sights as one to stop, with the fullback in fine form for the Knights this season.
“She'll definitely be talk of the team, she's playing a bit of first receiver there and getting behind the ruck, if the girls didn't quite know what she could do, they definitely do know now after we just played them and she tore us apart,” Brigginshaw said.
“She's definitely going to be talk of the team, but she's one player and if we step up and hold her out, I definitely think we can get the win.”
The Broncos were also rocked earlier this season by off-field health issues affecting two of their players, but Brigginshaw said the bond between the group had grown as the team faced adversity together.
“We've had to overcome so many challenges and I know every team does, but, this team has showed some resilience,” Brigginshaw said.
“It’s been super-emotional with Vinnie (Lavinia Gould) and Toni (Hunt); I guess a bit un unexpected to hear those sorts of things in your team and to have them happen,” Brigginshaw said.
“We've also had a couple of family members pass away within the team and some sicknesses, so like I said, we've been through it all, but we just come together.
"When we walk through those doors at training, we come together as a team and when you see your mate in tears come to training, you get around them and that's probably been the most amazing thing as a captain.
"I've seen people get to know each other and come together for the Broncos and I love my team so much.”
Match: Knights v Broncos
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Knights
1st Position
away Team
Broncos
4th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
