Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett says the next fortnight will help determine whether his side truly believes they can win a premiership in what he described as one of the most open NRL seasons in memory.
Just two wins separate the seventh-placed Broncos and the second-placed Sydney Roosters ahead of their clash on Saturday.
Bennett said no team "had a stamp on" the competition and as such his inconsistent side was capable of winning from anywhere in the top eight.
The Broncos boast a fine record against the top sides this season, having beaten Cronulla and South Sydney twice while also putting 50 points on Penrith.
They can add a Roosters clean sweep to their resume with a win on Saturday, but have thrown in losses to lowly Gold Coast, Newcastle, Manly, Canterbury and North Queensland to balance their ledger.
Bennett had to agree when asked if this season presented as one of the more open in his long coaching career.
"Yeah I think so; a lot of teams out there think they can win it and a lot aren't sure," he said.
"The bottom line is nobody's got a stamp on it ... we're in the 'don't know' category.
"The next couple of weeks and the weekend will give us some indication."
Brisbane would have to win four-straight games for the first time this year to win the premiership from outside the top four.
But the Cowboys' recent finals runs have shown it's not a far-flung notion, even if the Broncos finish seventh or worse and miss the chance to host a finals game.
"The Cowboys won the 2015 grand final, played four games and only one at home," Bennett said.
"It's all doable if you're injury-free and have your key players playing for you."
Share
