The Broncos possess the firepower and quickness to dominate the 2024 season, but two major uncertainties loom large over the team.
The first is the unspoken controversy in the locker room: how, in the final 20 minutes of the previous season, they collapsed under a late Penrith attack and lost the unwinnable grand final.
The second is how they will fare after losing four of their most reliable players: Kurt Capewell (Warriors), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Keenan Palasia (Titans), and Tom Flegler (Dolphins).
Fletcher Baker, a fringe first grader for the Roosters, is the only established player the club has added to strengthen their roster.
In order to fill the large shoes of Farnworth, one of the NRL’s best centers in recent years, coach Kevvie Walters is ready to move the outstanding Selwyn Cobbo from wing to center.
The highly touted Deine Mariner is probably going to get a shot in the centers at some point during the season, even though Cobbo will get first dibs at the position.
Walters will be looking on the Broncos’ talented young players to step up and take the spots left by the four departing players, but that might be risky.
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Although the loss of the reliable Capewell is significant, the Broncos have high hopes for 21-year-old Brendan Piakura, who appears to be capable of filling the back-row berth.
For the two wing positions, Jesse Arthars, Corey Oates, and the veteran will compete.
Oates has been doing this for a long time, but the two kids are constantly on his heels.
All things considered, the team has “top four” written all over it. However, as always, it will depend on how they respond to the disastrous grand final and whether they can move over that heartbreaking loss.1. Deine Mariner 2. Kotoni Staggs 3. Selwyn Cobbo 4. Reece Walsh 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Adam Reynolds 7. Payne Haas 8. Billy Walters 9. Ezra Mam 10. The Corey Jensen 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Kobe Hetherington 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Jordan Riki 16. Fletcher Baker 17. Xavier Willison
