Brisbane Broncos coach Kevin Walters was stuffed with reward for his facet’s defensive efficiency towards the Penrith Panthers, claiming it was their finest defence “in the last three years.”
The Broncos pulled off the primary upset of the season, toppling the defending premiers 13-12 at BlueBet Stadium to get their 2023 season off to the proper begin.
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The battle and want to repel each Penrith assault from the Broncos was a transparent distinction to the facet that leaked factors at an alarming fee within the second half of the 2022 marketing campaign.
Walters and his teaching employees have been underneath no illusions enhancing their defence was of the utmost significance in pre-season and the work they’ve performed paid off handsomely towards the Panthers.
However, Walters was fast to remind his workforce and the passionate Broncos fanbase that the season continues to be in its infancy.
“I think every club, well I know our club, that was one of our things from last year that we wanted to be better at,” Walters stated.
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“We made some good improvements tonight. Still a couple of tries that we could have avoided, but as a whole, the effort was really good. Particularly our tryline defence.
“I haven’t seen a Broncos team defend like that for a long [time]. That’s the best defence since I’ve been back at the club in the last three years.
“Something to really build on, but also not to get too carried away with.
“We’ve got a big season ahead and this is one game of many, but it’s a good start for us to start the year and a nice positive start with our defence.”
The marked enchancment is a far cry from final yr when the fallout was vital after an embarrassing 53-6 loss to the Parramatta Eels.
Walters took purpose at his facet’s perspective in that sport whereas Channel Nine’s Paul Vautin branded the Broncos “broken.”
Source: www.foxsports.com.au