Kevin Walters has warned Brisbane they will get "beaten up" again in the NRL finals if they don't address their worrying defensive record.
Former Broncos captain Walters has dismissed criticism of maligned halves Kodi Nikorima and Anthony Milford, saying the only thing stopping Brisbane from breaking their 12-year title drought was their shoddy defence.
Coach Wayne Bennett already had plenty to ponder after the Broncos suffered a shock NRL finals exit, humbled 48-18 by an injury-hit St George Illawarra in Sunday's knockout clash.
The master coach is sweating on his immediate future with an upcoming Broncos board meeting set to decide whether he stays on in 2020.
Bennett has a contract for 2019 but there is speculation the seven-time premiership winner will walk away next year depending on the board meeting's verdict.
Bennett's former assistant Walters believed the 68-year-old would see out his contract next year.
And he said Bennett's top priority for 2019 should be plugging their leaky defence if they wanted a title tilt.
The Broncos were much hyped ahead of the finals but statistically were the worst defensive team in the top eight, conceding 500 points in the regular season - their most since 2010.
It was only the fifth time in Broncos' 30-year history they had conceded 500 or more points in a season.
"Physically they were beaten up (by Dragons) and defence has been their problem all season," Walters told Sky Sports Radio.
"You can't win big end-of-season games if you can't defend your try line consistently.
"There's nothing wrong with their halves. Defensively is where they fall down and they need to address that more than anything else."
Asked if he thought Bennett would stay in 2019, Walters said: "I think so.
"I can't see where Wayne is going to go to be honest.
"He's got another year at the Broncos and would expect him to see that out."
However, Walters wasn't too optimistic about Bennett's 2020 chances.
"The board are going to make a decision on what they are going to do," he said.
"Whether they will offer him another term I am not sure - I don't think they are.
"But that has all got to be determined in the next couple of weeks."
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