Damning vision has raised questions over the unity of the Brisbane Broncos squad after their season ended with a whimper at the hands of the Dolphins.

Wayne Bennett’s ran in five unanswered tries in the Battle of Brisbane to stun their local rivals and keep their own finals hopes alive

But it was one moment with the game still in the balance that caught the eye of club legend Gorden Tallis, one that highlighted a potential rift within the playing roster.

“When Patty Carrigan scored, one player ran over to pat him on the back,” Tallis said.

Carrigan’s try in the 24th minute brought the Broncos within six points of the Dolphins with a man advantage following Felise Kaufusi’s 17th minute sin bin.

The footage shows a distinct lack of excitement within Brisbane’s ranks with some players walking over to congratulate Carrigan as if the try were a late consolation, and not a potential gateway back into the game.

NRL 360 host Braith Anasta noted the celebrations were “chalk and cheese compared to last year.” “Last year they were buzzing, high fiving (and) all over each other,” he said.

“It’s visible there, isn’t it?”

The loss prompted the panel to question where it’s all gone wrong for Brisbane. Tallis believed the pain of last year’s grand final loss has had lingering impacts this season “Their confidence has been knocked around,” he said.

“There’s talk they’re always down. That’s the main joke about the grand final. Tallis added the Broncos “need to kiss the season off” and focus on preparing properly for 2025. Rothfield, however, questioned whether the Broncos got “carried” away” after the heroics of 2023.

“Reece Walsh is walking around with those sunnies, the designer clothes, the sneakers, the handbags, (and) Instagram,” Rothfield said. “I think they got a little bit carried away with themselves.”

Tallis disagreed, comparing Walsh to one of his former teammates before noting the current generation of players mould themselves after different athletes to those who came before them. “I played with Wendell Sailor, who thought he was Michael Jordan,” he said.

“The players now, they do follow the NBA and the NBA players and that’s the way they go into the ground. They express themselves like that. “It’s when you pull the jersey on, do you perform? I don’t care what people wear.”

It comes as Tallis called Reynolds out on Triple M over the halfback’s involvement in a Triple M breakfast radio show in Brisbane, with the Broncos skipper taking over from Broncos hooker Billy Walters, who quit following criticism of his dad and coach Kevin Walters. Walters has come under fire for his side’s underperformance this season, with some believing the Brisbane coach’s job is on the line.

Rothfield believes 2023 has bought Walters time, though the coach will need his side to be fighting at the top of the ladder next season if he is to remain in the job.

“I reckon a coach who makes a grand final buys himself 18 months and even if he’s (Walters) had a shocking year with that roster he’s had this year, I think the fact that they went so close to winning that title buys him the first half of next season,” he said.

“If they’ve not recovered by then, it is probably time to look at other options.”