Kevin Walters has backed his Brisbane side to prove wrong Phil Gould's assertion the Broncos don't have the defensive clout to win this year's NRL.
Speaking on Channel Nine's 100% Footy, Canterbury supremo and commentator Gould said: “I don't think the Broncos can win the comp this year.
"I just don't see enough in their defence to win it.
"The Panthers have got a far better defence than (the Broncos) have, but (Brisbane) have certainly got the athleticism and the strike power.
"They're a good side. Their performances show that but they're not going to beat Penrith at finals time."
Walters was told of Gould's remarks at his Wednesday press conference ahead of the Broncos' clash with the Sydney Roosters at the Gabba on Thursday night.
"We are worried about ourselves, and Phil should be doing the same," Walters said.
"We know we have some work to do defensively. We are aware of that and we are working hard on that.
"But we have come a long way with our defence compared to last year. There is a bit to go and that will be showcased against the Roosters."
The Panthers, on top of the NRL ladder, have set the benchmark in defence this season and have conceded just 236 points in 18 games, an average of 13.1 per match.
Having played 19 games, the Broncos have conceded 341 points at an average of 17.9.
It is a vast improvement on recent seasons at the Broncos.
In the last six games of 2022 the Broncos leaked an average of 35 points per match to fall out of the top eight.
It has been an area of focus for Walters and he said the best was yet to come from the second-placed Broncos.
"We haven't played our best football yet. That's in front of us," he said.
"We will start to see that again tomorrow against a good opposition.
"It's great to be alive playing at the Broncos. We need to keep improving, particularly our defensive mindset."
Walters confirmed second-rower Brendan Piakura has not recovered from the illness that kept him out of last week's win over South Sydney.
Lock Pat Carrigan will again play in the second-row and tyro prop Xavier Willison will come off the bench.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson was optimistic about lock Victor Radley playing the game after he missed last week's win over Gold Coast with a hamstring injury.
"He trained well yesterday so today is the real test for him to cross that line to play," Robinson said on Wednesday morning.
"He is an important in for us if he gets across the line. If not it will be the same team as last week."
