Brisbane Broncos - AAP Images
One of the many intriguing questions surrounding the upcoming NRL season surrounds whether or not the Brisbane Broncos will miss their first final series in eighteen years.
After a very solid start to last season, the Broncos experienced the ever present Origin hangover that has plagued the club for the majority of its history.
From rounds 13 to 20, Ivan Henjak’s men suffered demoralising losses to the Melbourne Storm, Cronulla Sharks, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Canberra Raiders to leave the six-time premiers with the real possibility of missing out on a top eight birth.
In typical Broncos fashion however, the club from Red Hill went on a five match winning streak and ended up finishing the regular season in sixth position.
From there, it seemed as if the Broncos had rediscovered their finals mojo, beating the Gold Coast Titans and minor Premiers the St George Illawarra Dragons in the semi-finals to once again find themselves within grasp of another Grand Final birth.
A 40-10 loss to eventual premiers the Melbourne Storm however signalled the end to what was another successful campaign for a team many thought would struggle without the master guidance of former coach Wayne Bennett.
Heading into season 2010, coach Ivan Henjak faces numerous challenges to ensure the Broncos do not miss the finals for the first time since 1991.
The injury to representative centre Justin Hodges is a huge blow to a Brisbane backline that already makes do without the ever reliable services of fullback Karmichael Hunt, who last year switched codes to join the AFL’s new Gold Coast franchise.
Whilst filling the void left by Hodges will not be easy, one believes utility Alex Glenn has the potential necessary to become a great centre for Brisbane.
Although the 21-year-old struggled during Brisbane’s mediocre run midway through last season, there is no doubt Glenn has a solid mixture of strength and speed to fill the hole left by Hodges with aplomb.
Another area concerning coach Henjak is deciding which player will take over the fullback position vacated by Hunt.
Although new recruit Denan Kemp seems the logical choice to become Brisbane’s new no.1, winger Antonio Winterstein is another that should really be considered for the custodian role.
The 21-year-old is one of the best at defusing high balls, and like Hunt before him, has a terrific amount of determination, not to mention the uncanny ability to score tries when it really counts.
Whilst Kemp has speed to burn, one believes the 22 year old should start on the wing in a bid to rediscover his try scoring potency, after a disastrous season playing on the flanks for the Warriors last year.
In the forwards, the loss of Dave Taylor and Joel Clinton to South Sydney and Hull KR respectively will see Brisbane’s depth somewhat tested.
But with players such as Nick Kenny, Sam Thaiday, Ashton Sims, Ben Te’o, Lagi Setu and Corey Parker and Scott Anderson at Henjak’s disposal, there is enough in that roster to suggest the Broncos will be able to match it with the more fancied packs in the NRL.
Kenny, Te’o and Setu in particular are ready to experience breakthrough seasons after establishing themselves as consistent first graders last year.
With a draw that includes the Cowboys, Raiders, Warriors and Roosters in the opening month, do not be surprised if the Broncos win their opening four matches and are once again considered to be premiership fancies.
Although the Origin campaign will once again cause some worries for Henjak’s men, the Broncos have demonstrated time and again their ability to constantly recover from a form slump just in time for the finals.
They have done so for the past eighteen seasons and there is no reason why they cannot do so again.
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He wasn't expecting it to get that messy.
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