It has been another busy offseason at Redhill for the Brisbane Broncos, with the departure of number of players including talented young gun Jayden Nikorima, James Gavet, the retirement of Justin Hodges, the surprise departure of Dale Copley and equally surprising arrival of James Roberts.
Assistant Coach Kevin Walters will also be adrift from the team in 2016 due to his new position has coach of the Queensland Origin team.
While many Broncos fans are still trying to forget the heartbreaking grand final loss to the Cowboys last year, I still find myself pondering the question of whether they can go one better this season.
If the betting markets are anything to go by the Broncos will be raising the trophy come October, the TAB currently has them as firm favourites at $4.50, their closest rivals are Manly and North Queensland at $7.50 respectively.
Do they have the talent? Absolutely! While the loss of Justin Hodges is massive, not only for his on-field talent but his leadership on and off the field, I feel the recruitment of James Roberts will most certainly add another dynamic to an already classy backline.
Hunt and Milford will continue to grow and build on an effervescent halves combination, while the return of Moose McGuire will add more firepower up front. I expect to see Adam Blair continue his outstanding form, while the ageless Corey Parker and Sam Thaiday will provide the leadership and guidance that is lost with Hodges’ departure. Darius Boyd will step up in 2016 and add a greater level of stability at the back.
With the master coach Wayne Bennett at the helm anything is possible. it will no doubt be another season that is built on the back of solid defence, however with the flare of the likes of Milford and Roberts I think we could be in for some exciting football.
Another heavy offseason, including the Auckland Nines, travelling to England for the World Club Series against the Wigan Warriors and trials against the Cowboys, Norths Devils and Souths-Logan will be testing for the players. However, they should be well and truly match ready come Round 1 and their trip to Sydney to play the Eels.
If the Broncos can remain somewhat injury free and continue to perform during the dreaded Origin period, I think they are definitely genuine contenders. The way the 2015 season ended will definitely be in the back of each of their minds.
Bring on the season ahead.
matth
Guest
Hilarious. they didn't get any of those stars in the past (or DCE), but it's "rules for some'.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
I haven't really heard any negative press about the cows. Everything I've heard related to the Cowboys is Thurston is a footballing Saint and all I've heard about Brisbane is that we're probably cap cheats who are favourites. Lol. Either way the game would've been won off a fumble. Brisbane hit the lead from late in the first half right until the dying seconds off a Thurston lost ball (which tbh I thought I've seen a lot less involvement by a tackler penalised by the officials. Right decision in my opinion but I wonder if they would've called try if it were a regular season match.) If Linette wasn't on a mission to deny Thurston his Cowboys premiership they would've been the ones defending a lead ?
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Okay, thriving in the sense of popeye thrives on spinach. Makes them more determined. The 'bad press' is my way of saying they aren't getting the respect they deserve as premiers, because the game went down to the wire and was won off the back of Hunts fumble. At least that's the perception. The reality is that they outplayed the Bronc's and won fair and square against the odds. But there's still this annoying buzz that big brother in the south east is still king and the usurpers will get off the throne when the natural order reasserts itself. That's my view anyway.
The Barry
Roar Guru
...and one premiership in twenty years is hardly thriving. I think it will be tough for them as it is for every team defending the title. Travel to the UK for the WCC, teams lifting against the premiers and maybe that tiny 1% loss of hunger. The Cowboys haven't lost many (if any) but they haven't cycled in many new players in either that can provide a bit of a spark. That's not writing the Cowboys off, just being realistic about how hard it is to win back to back. The team that does it really will be entitled to greatness. Great teams have tried and failed since 93.
Ken
Guest
What sort of negative press do the Cowboys get? I would go as far to say they are the darlings - Thurston especially is feted as the nice guy with the funny laugh, who goes out of his way to give his kicking tees and headgear to kids and also happens to be the best player in the game. Maybe it's a location thing, it was noted up top that the Courier Mail attacked them last year.
Ken
Guest
But who sees the Courier Mail except for Brisbanites anyway? I suppose Surfers (and maybe Townsville?)newsagents carry it, I'm not sure that any other teams would ever know they were being white-anted.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Cowbies thrive on negative press. Been happening for years.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
;-)
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Equal second favourite is writing off the cows?
Pat Malone
Guest
No one is writing off the Cowboys mr precious
Worlds Biggest
Guest
I seriously doubt anyone is writing off the Cows, they bring back the whole winning squad don't they ? Sure it will be very tough to defend the Title but by no means impossible. Reckon they will be top 4 again and anything can happen from there.
The Verdict
Guest
I hope people keep writing off my Cowboys because complacency is going to be very hard for us to overcome unless people keep convincing our players that we won't be a serious contender. With that said, even I have my doubts that we can back up on last year. The list remains strong, but forgetting 2015 is going to be seriously hard (unless we maybe start the season poor).
The Verdict
Guest
The Courier Mail did a nice 'You Stink' back page for the Cowboys early last season. I just love how the "Stinky" Cowboys beat their precious Broncos when the Thoroughbred were just about to open the champagne.
Mike from Tari
Guest
Don't forget that the Broncos have their owners the Courier Mail in their corner to white ant every team in the comp, they have been doing it all pre-season.
Muzz
Guest
Definite favourites. If they don't win it, they'll sign Inglis - 2017. If they miss out again we'll see Thurston at the Broncos - 2018 then Smith - 2019, Slater on the wing 2020. Eventually they'll win another premiership. Rules for some.
Cameron McMaster
Roar Rookie
Love the enthusiasm!
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Locked in Dayer. Care to predict who they'll play and how much they'll win by while you're at it
dayer
Guest
The Bronx will win it hands down ...remember this post and my name.
Jimmmy
Guest
The Broncs look very good . Hodges is a big loss but Roberts is not a bad replacement . Renouf the second? There forwards look strong but Parker is the key . He seems to get better each year. If his offload numbers are high the Broncs finish one or two. Having said that the Origin period is a danger for them as always. Broncs V Cows episode two anyone?
Worlds Biggest
Guest
The Broncs will be in the mix again, Roberts is a seriously good purchase. They had one hand on the GF trophy before inexplicably shutting up shop early kicking for touch early in the tackle count. I think that will sting them all season and see them back in the Big Dance.