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Broncos vow to send off stars as winners

Brisbane forward Matt Gillett says the Broncos have made a pact to send their departing stars out as winners ahead of Friday's NRL grand final qualifier.

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Source: AAP


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Brisbane backrower Matt Gillett has revealed the Broncos have made a pact to send out their departing stars as winners.

A third of Brisbane's 17 that booked a grand final qualifier berth with last week's 13-6 win over Penrith are set to leave next season.

Stand-in skipper Adam Blair is expected to sign with the Warriors while halfback-cum-hooker Ben Hunt, veteran playmaker Benji Marshall, Herman Ese'ese, Tautau Moga and Jai Arrow are all on the way out.

It is more than 800 games' worth of NRL experience.

Many are predicting Brisbane's finals charge to come to an abrupt halt in Friday night's NRL preliminary final against runaway favourites Melbourne even if skipper Darius Boyd returns from a hamstring injury.

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But Gillett said the Broncos were ready to defy the odds and provide a fitting farewell for their outgoing stars.

"We've talked about that. We want to send them out (winners)," Gillett said.

"It could be their last game for the Broncos so we want to put in a good performance."

Brisbane have a woeful record against Melbourne, winning just four of their last 23 games.

Brisbane winger Jordan Kahu said they would embrace the underdog tag but were determined to do "something special" for their farewelling teammates.

"A lot of the boys are moving on next year and we have to make the most of every opportunity we get," Kahu said.

"There are four teams left and we are one of them and it was by no fluke that we got there.

"We have all the confidence in the world to do something special here."


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