Seeing the Broncos win the way they did against St George-Illawarra was the regular Brisbane returning from leave. In his post-match press conference Wayne Bennett was pleased to finally have his proper side back, which had been lacking direction and intensity. “There are four games to go; now’s about the time you need to start playing well and need to start getting your game together,” the veteran coach said. “If we can pick up where we left off about three months ago, I’ll be happy with that over the next four weeks. That will give us our best chance of advancing anywhere in the play-offs.”

The Broncos’ win over the Dragons in horrendous conditions in Wollongong was one of those rare Broncos victories that contained no glitz, no glamourous breaks - no flashy play at all. That they were able to prove they’re still a rugged, bloody good footy team that can strangle even an improving defensive team like St George-Illawarra with hardly any road support (congrats to the 5662 Wollongong locals who brave it, by the way) would have been a wake-up call to the rest of the league that this side, which has been written-off by so many experts, is still a chance in this year’s title race.

The oddest thing about the Broncos being already put to bed by the critics is the timing. Sure, Brisbane has had a retched run, but this form struggle of theirs happens virtually every year around Origin; their state-against-state slump is just as clockwork as their Friday Night Channel Nine booking.

Check out the last time it was (seemingly) this bad for the Broncos, in 2006. That year the post-Origin fade hit them seriously hard. They’d lost either side of Game II, had regrouped as a club after the series, then dropped five matches in a row. When you have a bit of time today, Google who won the NRL premiership in 2006 …

With four games remaining the Broncos are still in the hunt for a vital top four spot and that’s despite missing Sam Thaiday, Matt Gillett and Josh McGuire in recent weeks – only half their forward pack. Their return was more than welcomed on Thursday night.

The Broncos’ only away opponent running into the finals will be the Storm, with their home appointments against the Eels, Bulldogs and lowly Roosters. A lot can happen in four minutes of rugby league. We can only imagine what’s in store for the Broncos over the next four weeks. Sit up and pay attention; looks like the regular Broncos are back in the room.