The Brisbane Broncos are facing a daunting task, needing to secure an improbable eight victories out of nine games if they hope to reach the finals this season.
In 2022, the Broncos fell short of finals with 13 wins, and even if they manage a miracle and win all remaining matches this season, their record of just five wins means they can at best achieve 13.
It seems ridiculous to imagine the defending champions overcoming such odds, especially after suffering eight consecutive losses.
Nevertheless, 14 players from the 2025 championship team will face Penrith away on Thursday night, aiming to emulate their prior seven-game winning streak.
With star players like Reece Walsh, Adam Reynolds, Patrick Carrigan, and Payne Haas on the squad, there remains a flicker of optimism.
However, with two-thirds of the season completed, both the Dolphins and North Queensland-the teams currently in seventh and eighth place-each have recorded 10 wins and seven losses.
Using those teams as a benchmark, even if Brisbane wins all their matches, they cannot surpass them if these teams secure four wins in their final seven contests.
The 2022 premiership standings, despite the previous season featuring only one bye compared to three this year, highlight the enormity of the Broncos' situation.
That season, the Broncos finished ninth with 13 wins and 11 losses, one win behind Canberra, missing out on finals contention.