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'An exciting year for supporters': Here's how the Broncos' line-up could look in 2022

Roar Rookie
2nd January, 2022
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Roar Rookie
2nd January, 2022
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The Broncos 2021 campaign was full of ups and downs. However, some big names coming to Brisbane in 2022 can promise an exciting year for supporters. This is my take on their 2022 line-up.

1. Selwyn Cobbo
Selwyn Cobbo is a rare talent. While only having seven appearances in his professional career so far, the youngster is already turning heads.

Coming off a standout season in the Intrust Super Cup for the Manly-Wynnum Seagulls, he is well in contention for the number 1 jersey. The speed, agility, and strength already have critics comparing Selwyn to players like Greg Inglis and Latrell Mitchell. As I see it, this young man’s future in rugby league is as bright as anything.

2. Corey Oates
Corey’s 2021 season was disappointing. The former star looks as if he has lost his touch for the game. Only a few years ago he was regarded as one of the best wingers rugby league has seen in the modern era – now he is struggling to make first grade.

My belief is that he still has the ability to find his feet again and return to having a strong consistent game.

3. Kotoni Staggs
Kotoni has made a name for himself as one of the most promising youngsters the game has to offer, very few can match this man’s strength and agility. When Kotoni is on the field it is as if the whole team becomes more confident.

He was the club’s best in 2020 and I believe this title would have stood if he had more games under his belt in 2021. The Tonga representative is one of the keys to Brisbane’s success.

Kotoni Staggs of the Broncos makes a break

(Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

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4. Herbie Farnworth
Herbie is a consistent player who is able to slice defenders into two. He is an elusive player that shows promise whenever he touches the ball. After winning the Broncos’ best back in 2021, he has solidified his spot in the squad. I see Farnworth having a long and plentiful future in the NRL.

5. Jamayne Isaako
Jamayne’s 2021 season was rocky – at times, he was the Broncos’ star. Other times, however, he was the leader of their downfall.

While he was a great fullback, we can’t afford to have a player in a key role who can’t play consistent footy. Isaako, however, still adds value to the squad with his goalkicking ability to back up Reynolds and the skill we have seen him put on display while on the wing in previous years.

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6. Tyson Gamble
Tyson had a stunning year for the Broncos. He was doubted when first announced to play in the halves but after just a few games he showed the feel and energy he has for the great game of rugby league.

His competitiveness is unmatched, and he never says no to a challenge. Tyson isn’t scared of the opposition no matter their size – and this is the type of player we need at Red Hill. Tyson’s ruthless play style will match the calm Adam Reynolds.

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7. Adam Reynolds
The new kid on the block, the premiership-winning halfback is a privilege to watch. His goalkicking has pinpoint accuracy, and his passing is arguably the best in the league. This is just the player Brisbane needs: we have seen what he can do and we can only assume he will do the same for the Broncos.

8. Payne Haas
Payne is the Broncos’ most consistent player. Week in week out, he is working his behind off to make metres for his team.

Payne Haas.

Will Payne Haas have a big 2022? (Matt King/Getty Images)

His size and strength aren’t his only uses, he has speed and a lot of it. To be his size and move as fast as he does consistently is a feat in itself, his fitness for his size is crazy. The NSW representative is the type of runner defenders have nightmares about, he breaks the line and has the ability to run over or gas the fullback.

9. Jake Turpin
Turpin is another consistent player on Brisbane’s roster. He is not a standout but that doesn’t mean he isn’t putting in the hard yards behind the scenes. Turpin rarely misses on defence, and while he could be a bit quicker out of dummy half, he is still a solid player.

10. Tom Flegler
Tom is a hard hitter and a solid defender. The mongrel in him can be positive but at times it can come back to bite us in key moments. He leaks easy penalties on a regular basis which can cost us big moments or even games.

11. TC Robati
While TC has very few professional minutes to his footy career, that’s not to say he doesn’t deserve his spot in the side. In the time he did play, he left his mark. While some may not agree with this decision, I still think he is the right man for the job. He had a very strong year this year in the Intrust Super Cup and I think it’s time he cements his spot in the big leagues.

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12. Kurt Capewell
Known as one of the Broncos’ marquee signings, Kurt had a stunner of a season with the Panthers. This year he showed how deadly he can be on the edge. Combined with the strike power of Farnworth or Staggs, I see him being a deadly addition to the squad.

13. Kobe Hetherington
Kobe is one of the most overlooked players in the comp. While only having a few games to his name in the 2021 season I see him as a long-term option for Brisbane. He is a hard hitter who rarely misses – when he was in the squad, I felt the squad was stronger defensively.

His hard running really complements the already stacked forward pack.

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