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With inconsistency from a team expected to finish in the top four at the start of every year, in 2012 the Broncos could be forgiven for what many fans would believe was a failure.
At the end of the 2011 season, we farewelled one of the greatest players to ever walk onto a football field. Darren Lockyer, who played 355 games for Brisbane, 36 games for Queensland and 59 games for Australia, will be remembered for his footballing brain and longevity.
Life after Lockyer was always meant to be tough.
So finishing eighth, although showing extreme promise in the first eight rounds of 2012, is probably worthy of a pass mark, just.
With another 24 games under the belts of some players and add to that Origin and a finals match, expectations will be even higher for the Broncos next season.
The last time the Broncos won a premiership was in 2006. This was Lockyer’s best season in a long career, two years after making the switch from fullback to five-eighth. David Stagg was a member of the grand final squad, playing at centre.
Justin Hodges took the field in the unfamiliar position of fullback.
After debuting for the Broncos, Hodges went to the Roosters with the aim of securing the fullback slot. However, a bloke by the name of Anthony Minichiello was given the starting spot at fullback and never looked back.
Hodges would instead cement the centre position and won a premiership with the Roosters in his first year at the club.
He made his return to Brisbane in 2005, after sorting out issues with Wayne Bennett, stating “all I want to do is play rugby league.”
Since then, whenever fit, he has made centre his own for Queensland and Australia.
Hodges would finally get his shot at fullback in 2006 when the Broncos form continued to slide, forcing Wayne Bennett to shift Hodges to fullback in the place of Karmichael Hunt.
He relished the role and on the back of his scintillating and powerful runs, somewhat reminiscent of Greg Inglis, Hodges helped the Broncos to their sixth Premiership in 14 years.
He now wants a return to the position. Against the North Queensland Cowboys in the finals this year, Hodges spent 30 minutes at fullback and straight away sparked a Broncos resurgence.
He set up two tries in the space of three minutes, but the run was left too late and Brisbane were knocked out. Despite this, Hodges showed he still has what it takes in the position.
Will Anthony Griffin make the call to switch him back?
Time will tell, but if so, 2013 could be the year of the Bronco.
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