Broncos need to lift for finals: CEO
Brisbane boss Bruno Cullen says the Broncos must win at least two of their remaining three NRL games to keep the club's remarkable finals streak alive.
Brisbane have featured in the last 17 successive finals, winning six titles since 1991 and building a record under foundation coach Wayne Bennett that may never be equalled.
But there's a possibility the Dragons-bound Bennett could bow out after 21 seasons on a sour note unless Brisbane lift their game against a desperate Gold Coast in Friday night's NRL derby at Suncorp Stadium.
"If we don't win this game and we scrape into the eight is it really worth being there?" said Cullen, suggesting Brisbane needed to lift in the coming weeks.
"It's a milestone to make the semis and we're going for some kind of record, I think it's 18 in a row, but we want to finish as high as we can.
"We'll be disappointed if we don't finish in fourth or fifth spot."
Three weeks out from the finals and 13 teams remain in the hunt for post-season action.
"We're starting our semi-finals this weekend," said Cullen before shouting Titans chief executive Michael Searle lunch after losing a bet on the result of their last clash.
"I read somewhere you would need 30 points and we've only got 27 points so we need to win two of our next three to be sure of it.
"The Gold Coast can still make it and a number of other teams can still make it."
Brisbane will take the field at full strength with fullback Karmichael Hunt, centre Justin Hodges and forwards Tonie Carroll and Greg Eastwood all named to play.
"We've got our side back, if you like, on Friday night for the first time in a few weeks and apart from Stevie Michaels (knee) I don't think there's anyone else who would make the side," said Cullen.
"It's important to us to win, start showing some cohesion and get on the train for the semi-finals."
Cullen conceded Brisbane lacked firepower out wide last week and was glad to see Joel Moon retained in the centres with a returning Hodges.
"Having Karmichael back, and Justin back and Tunza (Carroll) and Greg Eastwood just adds that much more to the team and I expect the team to be in top form on Friday night," he said.
The Gold Coast, who entered the NRL last year have a 2-1 edge on Brisbane, including a thrilling 26-24 win in April.
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