Wayne Bennett wasn’t making excuses for his Brisbane Broncos who narrowly went down to the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park on Thursday night.

The Broncos led for much of the second half before a Josh Addo-Carr try three minutes from full-time leveled up the scores.

Storm skipper Cameron Smith then slotted the sideline conversion for the 14-12 win.

“It’s a lot easier to keep your spirits up that way than to get well beaten,” Bennett said.

“We played both grand finalists from last year and played the Cowboys who finished fourth. [We] know we’re in the competition right now.

“These guys know if they get their execution right they can be a real chance of doing something before the season’s out.”

Brisbane host 2016 preliminary finalists Canberra next Sunday at home with the Raiders licking their wounds after copping a flogging last weekend against Cronulla.

The Raiders have a chance to find form when they play Wests Tigers this Sunday.