They’re being hailed as Brisbane’s best crop of young forwards in the club’s glittering history.
But Broncos great Gorden Tallis says they’re not just going to dominate into the future, he’s also tipping them to carry Queensland’s glamour club to this year’s NRL premiership.
A dynasty appears to be building at Red Hill following the emergence of the likes of Tevita Pangai Jnr, David Fifita, Payne Haas and Jaydn Su’A.
Expectations are high, with many Broncos officials believing the club’s premiership window will be open in 2020.
Foundation coach Wayne Bennett says the Broncos’ generation next is like nothing he’s ever come through their ranks.
But Tallis says they’re not just a forward pack for the next decade, they have the ability to dominate this year’s finals series.
Ahead of Sunday’s elimination final with St George Illawarra, Tallis said the Broncos were his pick to lift the Provan-Summons Trophy
Asked if it was a year too early to expect the young Broncos side to challenge for the title, Tallis replied: “Not the way they’re playing.
“They beat Souths, they beat the Roosters. They beat Manly and they had a fair bit to play for. (Martin) Taupau is being shopped around, they’ve got a big, dominant forward pack as well.
“I’m tipping if Brisbane win this first week, they get a roll on. I’ve got to pick one, I don’t want to sit on the fence, so I’m going Brisbane.”
Tallis was a part of the the Broncos’ 1998 grand final-winning side, which is widely considered to have boasted one of the game’s all-time great packs.
Along with Shane Webcke, Brad Thorn, Tonie Carroll and Andrew Gee, they boasted an all-representative starting pack. Petero Civoniceva also came off the bench.
But he says the current Broncos’ forward pack has the potential to be better than any that’s come before them.
He points to the fact that even without Australian back-rower Matt Gillett (neck), Haas (shoulder) and Su’a (ankle), they have still rolled over the Roosters and Rabbitohs packs in recent weeks.
“Wayne said it’s the best young forward pack (in the history of the club) and you’ve got to agree,” Tallis said, before giving the backs a rap.
“(Anthony) Milford and (Kodi) Nikorima, they’re in sublime form and playing the best footy of their careers.
“They’ve got the x-factors in James Roberts and Corey Oates, Darius (Boyd) has hit a bit of form too.”
farqueue
Roar Rookie
It's amazing... Tallis picking broncos. Ennis picking sharks. Anasta picking roosters. Rothfield picking sharks. I can sense a pattern.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Meanwhile in other news... Fittler tips the Roosters. ET and Sparkles back the Sharks and Joey still thinks the Knights are in with a shot...
The Barry
Roar Guru
If ever a season was ripe for a team outside the top four taking the title it’s this one...still a massive ask though.
Nat
Roar Guru
Either way I think we run into the Storm to make the GF. A small solace is they aren't as dominant as last year where there absolutely no chance. Different team, different time but still wishful thinking.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Is this the same Gordon Tallis who said at the start of the year that the Cowboys pack was the best club pack he had ever seen and they would go close to winning the comp ? I can see the Broncos easily accounting for the Dragons on Sunday, but their next match I expect might be against their old nemesis, the Storm , and that may be a bridge too far.
kk
Roar Pro
Had they finished top 4, YES. From 6th, NO. That extra 80' is one game too far.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
His problem has always been more Wayne than Brisbane.
Nat
Roar Guru
That's interesting coming from Tallis. Even as an old Broncos man he is not usually the first to back them in this scenario. Of course I want to believe him, they can outscore any team but they have to improve their left side defence. Having Glenn back will definitely help but Kahu/Milford need to talk and point much more. Defence is what wins the big ones and next week (if there is one) won't be in Brisbane.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Given no other side is running away with blistering form, then why not the Broncos? Yes we all hear how it is important to finish in the top 4, but this week will essentially be a good training run hit out for them and next week they will play a side coming off a physical loss... Couple of small question marks on their goal line defence, and whether the halves can control a Finals game when the opponents are getting a good share of field position. But they have the forwards, they have the finishers and their halves have moments. Hooking will be interesting for them...
Paul
Roar Guru
So why didn't Gordie talk about the hammering the Doggies gave them, the loss to the Cowboys or the thumping the Warriors gave them in round 18, just to balance things out? Tallis is entitled to his opinion for sure but finals football as all know is a very different beast than premiership rounds. All sides will try and lift including the Dragons this week. If the Broncos halves get their attacking game together, the Broncos should progress, if not......?
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
It's hard to dispute anything that's being said here. The great unknown from the Broncos is how the young pack handles it when the blow torch is applied in the finals. They could have already peaked as well and be up against a couple of teams who go up a gear or two.