Broncos Culture Crisis & Top 4 Stakes
In the aftermath of their centenary celebrations, Paul Kent and Warren Livingston return to the desk to tackle the escalating discipline issues at the Brisbane Broncos, the tactical rest strategies of Ricky Stuart and Craig Bellamy, and a look back at the origins of the four-point try.
Broncos Culture Under Fire: Shibasaki and Walsh
The Brisbane Broncos find themselves in the headlines for the wrong reasons just a week out from the finals. Kent discusses the club's decision to stand down Gehamat Shibasaki after he turned up to training "feeling the effects" of a heavy Sunday night session. While not a crime, Kent argues the move was necessary to set a standard under Michael Maguire.
The conversation shifts to Rhys Walsh, whose "toilet gag" on social media backfired. Kent expresses concern that Walsh, despite being a young star who understands the value of his image, has "doubled down" on the joke rather than learning from it.
"There's an immaturity there... this is the guy who at the beginning of the year wanted to start his own YouTube channel. If that's what he's going to sell to people—this character that's loose—I don't know how long he's going to survive in rugby league doing that."
Bellamy’s Consistency Warning
Turning to the Melbourne Storm, Kent notes that despite being competition leaders, the Storm have lacked their trademark consistency. He highlights Craig Bellamy’s history of avoiding mass rests in the final round if his team hasn't played their best football. Kent expects a "shellacking" of the Broncos this week as Melbourne looks to prove they are true heavyweight contenders before the qualifying finals.
The Expansion Blueprint: Titan Cleanouts
The Gold Coast Titans have begun a significant coaching cleanout, letting go of three assistant coaches. Kent praises new coach Josh Hannay for having a clear "DNA" for how he wants the Titans to play. He notes that Hannay is cutting down the size of the coaching staff to ensure fewer voices and more accountability—a move Kent likens to Jason Ryles’ approach at Parramatta.
Ask Kenty: War Stories and Rule Changes
In the weekly "Ask Kenty" segment, the duo covers a range of fan questions:
- The Four-Point Try: Kent explains that the move from three to four points in the 1980s was designed to encourage attacking football during a "dull defensive period" where teams were winning games primarily through penalty goals.
- Remembering "Bozo": Kent shares a personal story about the legendary Bob Fulton, recalling how Fulton once tracked him down at his parents' house to "blow up" about a story Kent had written. Despite their early clashes, they became close friends, bonded by trips away shooting.
- The 2009 Premiership: Addressing whether the Eels should be awarded the 2009 title due to Melbourne's salary cap breaches, Kent argues against it, noting that Melbourne knocked out several teams (including Brisbane and Manly) on their way to the final.
The "Dumbest Question" of the Year
The episode ends on a humorous note as a fan suggests a "Local Derby Round" where teams play the first half at one stadium, then hop on a bus at halftime to play the second half at the rival's ground. Kent labels it the "dumbest question all year," jokingly telling the viewer to enjoy the beers he likely won in a bet to get the question read on air.
Watch the full episode on Fanatics TV.
