‘We dealt with it differently’: Broncos should learn from Penrith players who used 2020 GF loss as motivation for three titles
The Brisbane Broncos players seem reluctant to discuss their grand final loss to the Panthers last year, but Penrith players have openly shared that their defeat in the 2020 decider served as a daily motivation, propelling them to win three consecutive titles.During interviews on Monday, several Brisbane players declined to delve into the events of the recent past, particularly Nathan Cleary’s pivotal role in the Panthers’ comeback victory for another premiership.It’s not uncommon for teams to avoid discussing such painful losses, but the Broncos may want to reconsider this approach. The Panthers, for example, thoroughly analyzed their defeat to the Storm in the 2020 decider, extracting valuable lessons that contributed to their current status as one of the most successful teams in recent times. This strategic reflection on past setbacks has significantly aided Penrith in becoming a dominant force in the modern era of rugby league.
Jarome Luai, the Panthers’ five-eighth, shared insights into how his team dealt with their grand final loss and how it motivated them. He mentioned that every team has its way of handling setbacks and that the Panthers addressed their defeat immediately upon returning for the pre-season. This proactive approach helped them learn from their mistakes and contributed to their success since then.Regarding the Broncos’ response to their own loss, Luai expressed uncertainty but remained confident that they are handling it well. He emphasized that the Panthers used their defeat as motivation not just for specific games but throughout the entire season. They extracted valuable lessons from the loss against Melbourne and have applied them continuously, viewing it as a source of ongoing improvement.Luai also mentioned his personal journey, expressing happiness at getting another opportunity to face the Broncos after his injury in the grand final. He underwent shoulder surgery during the off-season but is eager to contribute to his team’s success moving forward.
Jarome Luai had to leave last year’s grand final due to a significant shoulder injury, as captured in NRL Photos. He expressed his excitement about returning to the field and feeling more like himself, with his comeback happening in round 1 against Melbourne.Reflecting on his return, Luai admitted to feeling nervous and having doubts and fears in his first game back. However, he considers it a blessing to have emerged from that match unharmed and is now focused on his performance.As Luai prepares for the upcoming grand final rematch, it’s noted that Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes won’t be joining the team in Newcastle due to a suspension. Hughes received the ban for pushing referee Chris Butler while trying to prevent a try, a situation that evoked memories for Luai. He recalled being fined $1800 for intentionally contacting touch judge Chris Sutton during a game against the Broncos last year.
Jarome Luai discussed his fine for making contact with a touch judge last year, highlighting the competitive nature of players and the challenges they face during intense moments in games.He acknowledged that as competitors, players often find themselves in situations where they are trying to prevent tries or make plays, sometimes leading to unintentional contact with officials. Luai mentioned seeing a photo of the incident but didn’t witness the entire sequence, so he couldn’t judge the referee’s positioning or the context fully.Reflecting on similar incidents involving referees, such as one in the Sharks vs. Bulldogs game, Luai suggested that there might be issues with the positioning of officials on the field. He emphasized that players are immersed in high-stakes games with intense emotions and high testosterone levels, which can sometimes lead to clashes or misunderstandings.
Despite these moments, Luai stressed that most players are good people off the field and that these incidents are not personal. He also mentioned having a good relationship with the referee involved in his case, indicating that there was an understanding of the context and intentions behind his actions.
