Young Broncos jostle for spot in starting pack

THE battle for NRL starting spots will heat up from today, as all three Queensland clubs return this week for pre-season training.

The first wave of Cowboys and Titans players will hit the paddock today while the Broncos will also welcome back a small group on Thursday.

It is understood it will most- ly be new recruits and rookie players returning for the Cowboys and Broncos, aside from a few big names including North Queensland forward Coen Hess and injured Brisbane backrower Matt Gillett.

With a number of off-season changes for all three clubs, the battle for spots is set to spice up over the next few months.

The Cowboys have a number of backline spots to fill following the retirements of star playmaker Johnathan Thurston and veteran winger Antonio Winterstein, plus the release of premiership duo Lachlan Coote and Kane Linnett.

The Titans have to lock in a new halves partner for Ash Taylor following the departure of Kane Elgey to Manly while the Broncos’ biggest changes are expected to come in the engine room after the retirement of Sam Thaiday and the loss of Dragons-bound Korbin Sims.

Joe Ofahengaue is a frontrunner to earn a starting place in Brisbane’s front row and he believes his biggest competition for that spot will be Tongan teammate Tevita Pangai Jr.

The duo are not expected back at Red Hill until early next month along with the rest of the club’s representative players, but Ofahengaue said it was already a major goal of his to win that starting jersey.

“It will be up to me and Tevita to take that last starting position,” he said.

“(Matt Lodge), he’s earned his spot and I don’t think (Josh McGuire) is going to move from lock so it will be between me and Tevita to get that starting spot.”