The Broncos fell agonisingly short of a drought-breaking premiership in the 2023 grand final but they’ve largely kept their roster intact and another title tilt beckons.
Brisbane charged into the decider on the back of a stellar season, but coach Kevin Walters will still have a bad taste in his mouth all summer after his side surrendered the biggest lead in grand final history.
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Walters has several stars coming off contract and a salary cap about to burst at the seams, which means his men must make the most of 2024.
Adam Reynolds has the talent around him to produce a second title, 10 years after his first, but the veteran halfback will need to deliver in the big moments.
Read on for the Brisbane Broncos’ State of Play.
2023 FINISH: 2nd W18 L6 (grand finalists)
COACH: Kevin Walters
Walters came into 2023 under plenty of pressure after failing to make the finals in his first two seasons at the helm.
But the Broncos legend answered his critics emphatically by charging all the way to the grand final and falling just one try short of delivering a premiership.
Walters deserves a huge amount of credit for extracting the best out of a roster that had been badly underperforming before his arrival.
But anything short of another trip to the big dance from his star-studded side and Walters’ critics will be coming for him again.
SQUAD: Adam Reynolds (2024), Ben Te Kura (2026), Billy Walters (2024), Blake Mozer (2025), Brendan Piakura (2024), Corey Jensen (2025), Cory Paix (2025), Deine Mariner (2027), Delouise Hoeter (2024), Ezra Mam (2024), Fletcher Baker (2025), Jaiyden Hunt (2025) Jesse Arthars (2026), Jock Madden (2026), Jordan Pereira (2024), Jordan Riki (2024), Kobe Hetherington (2025), Kotoni Staggs (2025), Kurt Capewell (2024), Martin Taupau (2024), Patrick Carrigan (2028), Payne Haas (2026), Reece Walsh (2025), Selwyn Cobbo (2025), Tristan Sailor (2025), Tyson Smoothy (2024), Xavier Willison (2025)
PLAYERS IN: Fletcher Baker (Roosters)
The Broncos have recruited just one player despite losing three from their best 17 in 2023.
Front-rower Fletcher Baker has arrived from the Roosters to help fill the void left by props Tom Flegler (Dolphins) and Keenan Palasia (Titans).
Baker, 23, has played 45 NRL games – mostly off the bench – since making his debut at the Roosters in 2021.
PLAYERS OUT: Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Tom Flegler (Dolphins), Keenan Palasia (Titans), Logan Bayliss-Brow (unsigned)
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WHERE THEY NEED TO IMPROVE: In the centres
Dolphins bound Herbie Farnworth leaves a huge hole in the Broncos centres after the England international enjoyed a breakout season in 2023.
Farnworth made his NRL debut at the Broncos in 2019 and he missed just one game this year, scoring 15 tries in 26 appearances.
The 23-year-old was named in the Dally M Team of the Year and Walters will need his next batch of young guns to step up in Farnworth’s absence.
WHO THEY SHOULD/COULD SIGN: A middle forward
Analysis: The Broncos need to replace the muscle they’ve lost in ever-reliable middles Tom Flegler (Dolphins) and Keenan Palasia (Titans).
Sharks duo Braden Hamlin-Uele and Toby Rudolf, Jacob Saifiti (Knights) and Ata Mariota (Raiders) and are all currently on the market for 2025.
Dragons gun Jaydn Su’A is another option and recruiting the former Maroons backrower could shift Pat Carrigan into the front row.
As for immediate signings, two-time premiership winner Charlie Staines and one-time Queensland fullback Corey Allan could both add injury cover value at the right price.
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PLAYER UNDER MOST PRESSURE: Adam Reynolds
In almost every team, the halfback is usually credited for the win and always blamed for a loss. It cannot be overstated just how much a performance on the big stage can define a playmaker.
If the Broncos had held on in the grand final, after leading 24-8 with 17 minutes remaining, then Adam Reynolds would be lauded as one of the best signings in club history and his contract would have already been extended into 2025.
But Brisbane lost and Reynolds was harshly criticised as a star recruit who ultimately failed to do what the club brought him to do – deliver in the big moments.
Broncos legend Gorden Tallis then called for the club to hold off extending Reynolds until the 33-year-old proves himself in the opening months of next season.
YOUNG GUN TO WATCH: Deine Mariner
Deine Mariner has played just six NRL games since making his debut at the Broncos in 2022, but he scored five tries in four appearances in 2023.
The 21-year-old has pace to burn which was on full display this year when he crossed for doubles against the Warriors and Eels.
Mariner played those games on the wing but he’s expected to get first crack at replacing Herbie Farnworth in the centres.
The other contender to replace Farnworth is Jesse Arthars if Walters wants to bring him closer to the action, which would see Mariner battle veteran Corey Oates for a spot on the wing.
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