BRONCOS’ PAIN CAN BECOME THEIR GAIN

It seems like the Broncos can go one of two ways in 2024 following last year’s heartbreaking NRL grand final loss to Penrith.

Will they use the pain of the defeat to go one better this year or will the mental scars be too much to overcome and see the Broncos crash out of premiership contention?

BACKS

The Broncos copped a blow when English sensation Herbie Farnworth signed with cross-town rivals the Dolphins, but they still have a stacked backline. There is plenty of strike in wingers Corey Oates, Jesse Arthars and Deine Mariner, while Selwyn Cobbo and Kotoni Staggs could be the most threatening centre combination in the game.

SPINE

While the Broncos lost some quality players over the off-season, they managed to hang on to their all-important spine.

Halfback Adam Reynolds remains at the helm and five-eighth Ezra Mam proved he is the real deal with his incredible grand final hat-trick. Billy Walters improved exponentially at hooker last year and Reece Walsh is already one of the top fullbacks in the game, with uncapped potential. This is one of the NRL’s top spines.

FORWARDS

The forward pack is where the Broncos need to see big improvements this year from their emerging and new players.

They have lost three grand final forwards in Tom

Flegler (Dolphins), Kurt Capewell (Warriors) and Keenan Palasia (Titans), and have been quiet in the recruitment market. Fletcher Baker (Roosters) and Jaiyden Hunt (Dragons) join the club and the next generation in Xavier Willison, Brendan Piakura and Ben Te Kura need to stand up. Importantly, Kangaroos stars Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan will still be leading the way in the middle along with the improved Jordan

Riki on an edge.

Reece Walsh was the golden boy of the NRL last year but Ezra Mam stole the show with one of the great grand final performances. Mam’s hattrick to take the Broncos within a whisker of ending Penrith’s dynasty was deserving of the Clive Churchill Medal but instead it went to Panthers star Nathan Cleary. Sadly, the Broncos couldn’t get the job done, but Mam showed just how dangerous he can be with the ball in hand.

Bronson Xerri has spent four years out of the NRL on a drug ban, but he’s returned remarkably fit and pushing for a starting spot. When he left the game he was being talked up as a potential State of Origin centre, and if he can get anywhere near that form he’ll be a real handful on the edge for a cut-price salary. His physicality and speed are evident, but he looks like he hasn’t lost any of his footballing nous.