The Broncos have been accused of post-match cowardice to rub insult into injury following their 59-0 thumping at the hands of the Roosters.
Journalists at the match were forced to leave Suncorp Stadium without an explanation from Brisbane players after they contravened NRL rules by refusing to present for interviews.
The Broncos may be forced to cop a fine as a result, with the NRL investigating the circumstances surrounding the players' no-show.
In the meantime, however, it has opened up the club to additional criticism at a low point in its proud history.
Broncos legend Steve Renouf described the post-match media snub as "disgraceful" and "unprofessional".
And several reporters took to social media to point out their blatant disregard for the rules.
https://twitter.com/MarkGottlieb/status/1268525429805047808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfwhttps://twitter.com/phillutton78/status/1268526023060013056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfwhttps://twitter.com/travismeyn/status/1268526805364793344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"That's disgraceful not attending a media conference. It's unprofessional," Renouf said.
"You face the music. You face the media and take it on the chin. You have to talk to the fans and that's leadership and part of your growth as a player to talk to the fans and tell them you are embarrassed.
"It's not good enough. The Broncos players should have a good look at themselves."
Under the media guidelines enforced by the NRL, at least three players from the home team are to be made available to the media after each game.
The current tight travel turnarounds being forced on out-of-town teams by the NRL's biosecurity measures has afforded the away teams more leniency when it comes to media duties.
Media are no longer allowed in the change rooms, again due to the biosecurity measures that are currently in place, but the players have been directed to conduct interviews in the post-match press conference room.
The media snub is sure to increase the pressure on the Broncos over the coming week, with Anthony Seibold and his highly-rated roster under intense scrutiny following their second thumping loss in five matches.
Their 2-0 start to the season may have papered over the cracks, but Brisbane's two heavy losses since the resumption have brought their 58-0 finals obliteration at the hands of the Eels last year back into view.
On Nine's post-match coverage last night, Queensland great Paul Vautin described the Broncos' performance against the Roosters as "embarrassing for the club and the city".
"When they got beaten 58-0 by Parramatta, I remember I said it looks to me like they're not listening to the coach, or if the coach is talking, they're not listening," Vautin told Macca's Golden Point.
"In defence all they're doing is ball watching, they've all got their eyes on the ball and their player has gone past them. I don't know if that's what they're teaching in defence out there, but it was horrendous.
"The Broncos tonight were diabolical, that was a training gallop for the Roosters. It was embarrassing for the club and the city; the Broncos fans will not be happy … pathetic is what I'm saying."
from WWOS https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/brisbane-broncos-players-steve-renouf-media-criticism/2c977c89-b5a8-44ce-b885-5651af0cb276
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