Brisbane's tough finals reality a learning curve for Mariner

Broncos centre Deine Mariner said he would not view this season as a failure, even if his side do fall short of making the eight after featuring in last year’s grand final.  

Their season started with so much promise after they had one hand on the trophy last year before a Nathan Cleary masterclass guided the Panthers to their third straight title, but Brisbane's finals hopes – while still intact – realistically hang by a thread, but Mariner said the belief was still in the squad they could return to the same heights as last season.

“Obviously, that was our goal from the beginning of the year just to make finals," Mariner said. 

“It's been an up-and-down season, but we definitely still have got a chance and just try to build it off week-by-week for a finals appearance.

“(Getting the win in Round 23 against the Cowboys) finally (we) got some momentum.

“Hopefully we can just build off of that and get better, week by week as well.”

Now in his third season in the NRL, Mariner has been one of the shining lights for the Broncos with his attack and sits in the top three for tries scored having crossed for 17 so far.

He has also enjoyed his mid-season switch to centre, saying it is his preferred position – but one he was still learning how to master at the NRL level.

“Obviously NRL is hard and it's hard to be consistent, but that's something I'm working on and I'm always going to be confident to play centre because that's a preferred position for me,” Mariner said.

“Definitely happy with where I am at … that's a position I love playing, but at the end of the day, wherever the coaches think is best for the team, that’s where I am going to play.

“I played centre through pretty much my whole junior league, all the way to now.

“Wing was just a position to get some reps, I kind of had to build into centre (in the NRL) because it is a more defensive position more than wing, it's been a good transition and I'm still learning every week.”

Coming into this week’s game against the Eels having halted their slide of five losses in their past six games, but still needing to win all their remaining matches as well as hope results go their way, Mariner said the side were focussed on building from their big 42-18 upset win over the Cowboys in their last match before the bye.

However, even if they win all their remaining three matches, they could still miss out of a chance to avenge their grand final loss, but Mariner said he would not label his side’s performance this season as a failure.

“I wouldn't say (a) failed (season); more so kind of a learning curve,” Mariner said.

“There were some things this year that didn't go our way and it's just something we can build for next year if it comes to that.

“But as a team, we’re just taking it week-by-week, and obviously our goal is to make the grand final.

“Not having the same team week-to-week (has hurt the side), a lot of things changing and a lot of players play out of position can take a toll on the team.

“(It’s about) trying to find those right combinations.

“That's probably the only thing that's kind of let us down this year.”