North Queensland co-captain Matt Scott concedes the Cowboys chances of making the NRL finals are almost dead, saying only something special in the final six weeks of the season will steal them a top eight spot.
After a disappointing 18-16 loss to fellow Queensland strugglers Brisbane on Friday night, a result which appears to have ended Neil Henry's chances of coaching at the club next season, Scott said the Cowboys would need to win out to give themselves a hope.
But rather than calling it a miracle, the Queensland and Test prop said he believed anything was possible if they could win their last six games.
The Cowboys host competition front-runners South Sydney next week before a tough run home which includes finals aspirations Penrith, Cronulla, Gold Coast and Newcastle.
"It's not impossible," Scott said.
"I think we've certainly made it tough on ourselves and I think we're at times playing footy that will get us into the eight if we maintain it.
"At the moment it's just stupid individual errors that's really hurting us.
"Win the next six and it's possible but we've got to play a lot better than we did tonight."
Next week North Queensland chairman Laurence Lancini will reportedly tell Henry, who signed a contract extension earlier this year, that the club will be looking elsewhere for a head coach next season.
Henry said his side had been made to pay for defensive misreads and communication breakdowns, and some players deserved better from their teammates.
The Cowboys were exposed repeatedly down their right edge defence, with all three Broncos tries coming from combinations down that side.
"We're putting a lot of effort in to the game and we dominate field position for large parts of it," Henry said.
"The players deserve better decisions off each other.
"They're the men out there doing the hard yards, they're working their backsides off for each other and they're committed but they deserve better for each other in crucial parts of the game.
"And they didn't do that for each other (against Brisbane) and that's the difference, simple as that.
"It's not a lack of confidence, it's not a lack of will out there, it's a couple of crucial decisions."
Henry said he could do little if the Cowboys board decide to terminate his contract.
"I hope not but we'll see what happens," he said.
"We've got six games to go and potentially six wins and then we'll all be marching into the finals, hopefully.
"We've got a big game against Souths next week and we can't repeat (Friday night) or the season is well and truly over."
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