Gorden Tallis has likened Anthony Seibold's predicament to walking into a beehive but says he still sees a way for the Brisbane coach to salvage an NRL finals campaign.
The Broncos are 2-6 ahead of Friday's Magic Round clash with Manly, with their predicament worsened on Monday by defensive rock Andrew McCullough's knee injury that will keep him out for at least one month.
Andrew Johns' preseason title fancies have struggled to meet expectations this year, with Kodi Nikorima's immediate exit to the Warriors exposing an already youthful squad.
There can be no rebuilding phase though, with former club captain Tallis adamant they can find a way to qualify for the finals as Seibold learns the Red Hill ropes.
"That club's always got to play finals," he told reporters at Fox League's NRL Magic Round launch.
"Andrew Johns ... and Phil Gould, they thought this side was going to win the competition.
"Their roster is good enough to win the competition ... and I still think they will (make finals), I'd back them right now.
"You've just got to tough out a win ... they need to find something and that something is what Anthony Seibold's got to do."
Tallis admitted he had scratched his head at some of the club's roster moves but sees plenty in 18-year-old halfback Tom Dearden, who debuted last Thursday.
He said Seibold needed to make the players more accountable for their performances but had a lot to learn from Bennett about the art of diversion.
"He's walked into a bit of a beehive I reckon, following Wayne Bennett anywhere," Tallis said.
"He's (Bennett) the greatest coach, he handles the media, handles the players.
"The great thing when you're coached by Wayne is the only thing you've got to worry about is your own form because he keeps all that other pressure off you.
"He's (Seibold) a bit naive and a bit young to do that yet (managed the pressure)."
Captain Darius Boyd has copped the brunt of the Broncos backlash and knows what fans expect from the six-time premiers.
"Definitely (finals) is fair expectation, the Broncos are based on premierships over a long period of time," he said.
"It's been well documented we haven't won one for a while (since 2006), but we were a couple of seconds away in 2015.
"It's a young group - that's the roster we have - but we still expect to be in a better position."
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