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.
(Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
NostraSportus
Roar Rookie
Unless the writer is privy to insider info, I can't see Cobbo starting at fullback. I personally think Herbie is the man to play fullback, but Nui seemed to be finding his feet at the end of the season and may be given the nod to start the year. Cobbo is barely ready for first grade at this point. He has defensive issues that need addressing and once he fixes those he'll be a star. For now I'd play him on the wing. Brenko Lee could be an inclusion due to his size and ability to create points. Staggs and Lee in the centres with Cobbo and the St.G winger whose name escapes me along with Herbie at that back. 5/8, is Mam ready? If so, give him a shot, if not I'd go Kelly if he's not injured. He's a far more skilful player than Gamble.
Rellum
Roar Guru
There is also Branko Lee. At least no one is picking Staggs to wear the 6
Nat
Roar Guru
TBH i think Cobbo will assume the FB position, it really is just an ease him in thought process. Understand what you're saying about Niu weight, Seibold done the same to Milford trying to make him a front line playmaker. Trained the spark out of him. If Tesi isn't FB he may struggle for a spot. I wouldn't mind Hoeter get a shot. He's been very good for a long time and now I'm the top 30.
Cam
Roar Rookie
Some good points, especially Mam pushing for the 6 jersey. You would expect Capewell to play 80 minutes and gives them genuine cover in the backs. Kevvy will be able to take four forwards on the bench and if Turpin is playing 80 minutes, he should get a good rotation with his big middles. For mine though, I'd like to see Cobbo get a good shot at the 1 jersey. There looks to be a hell of a lot of up-side to the kid and although I agree he could benefit from learning the game on the wing, he has played plenty of fullback through his career and is comfortable in the position. The only knock I have with Tesi Niu is the change to his body shape. The Broncs have pumped him up like Popeye on spinach, which looks to have chipped away at his greatest attribute, his speed. He is currently listed as 5'10" and 94kg, which could well have gone up again through the off-season. The same thing happened with Ben Barba. He was 86kg at the Bulldogs and his speed absolutely ripped the NRL to shreds through 2012/2013. The first thing the Broncos did when they signed Barba in 2014, was to stack 6kg of muscle onto his frame and take away his pace off the mark. Cobbo is a big body at 6'3" and might be seen as safer under the high ball.
Nat
Roar Guru
Willison for sure. I reckon Bayliss needs a few more games. Not only Robati watching his spot maybe even Fleg if he keeps making the mistakes. Jensen, James and Palasia all very capable. I went with Piakura to have a backrower in the mix.
Rellum
Roar Guru
My starting lineup as of now 1, Niu 2, Oates(Think he is better under the high ball than Issako but he seems to be getting old fast so Issako is right there) 3, Staggs 4, Cobbo 5, Farnworth 6, Gamble 7, Reynolds 8, Haas 9, Turpin 10, Carrigan 11, Capewell 12, Robati 13, Hetherington 14, Paix 15, Flegler 16, Piakura/Riki 17, James Tesi really has to make strides this year to keep his spot.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Logan Bayliss and Willison might push on and start threating the other props in the rotation so TC might have his work cut out making it in the middle.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Cobbo reminds me a bit of young Laurie at the Tigers . Bit of a different physique but has a bit of X factor about him . 6 will be the position that's most critical . Kelly, Gamble at this stage look logical and with Reynolds there it will make them both work harder so you never know what will evolve . A lot of young forwards with potential , let's hope Hàas and Capewell can bring the best out of them .
max power
Guest
wow, you are quite the optimist. 13th place and Kevvy gone by Origin
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Coming into the new season there are only 4 active coaches who take good form into it….Cleary, Belly, Robbo, Dessie. Baz and Kevvie weren’t on their Pat Maloney’s in the doing it tough stakes. The rest were all various shades of below average.
Nat
Roar Guru
You would have to imagine top 8 would be one KPI. Considering a team can get there with a negative W/L ratio, there may be more meat on that bone. Agree with what you say about the performance. While I was impressed by the way they finished the season, 4/7 and taking it to Panthers and Roosters, I don't how much stock I can put in the performance when the season was already gone. While some guys are still relatively young youth is no longer an excuse, the key players are 50 - 60 games deep and with Reynolds and Capewell driving standards I'm also expecting top 8.
Contego
Guest
Brisbane and Canterbury have both signed some excellent players, now all they need are coaches who are up to NRL standard.
Paul
Roar Guru
I like the concept of performance contracts but it would be useful to know what expectations are being placed on him. I'm not a fan of results based contracts, (ie if he racks up more wins than losses, he stays), not when he's trying to rebuild a team that's been down for the past few seasons. Obviously the Broncos board would want to see more ticks in the win column but I'm guessing this is team at least a season away from making the finals and probably another season or two before being a genuine contender. If I was a fan, I'd be wanting clear and obvious improvement in the young guys, creating & improving a stable spine, being competitive against all teams for at least 60 or 70 minutes and most importantly, not giving up. If he can deliver on those things, I'd be keeping him for another year or two for sure.
Nat
Roar Guru
It's an interesting concept putting Kevvie on a performance contract. On one hand he is in control of his destiny and not relying on goodwill or suffering through media speculation. On the other hand, if it's getting toward the end and his results are not quite there, accepting the reality and not showing it externally is very hard. Although, the question always remains, who is better and available?
Paul
Roar Guru
nice summary, reynolds. Always good to read an early season piece with so much enthusiasm about your team. On paper, this is a very talented group but I'm wondering whether Kevvie has what it takes to lift this talent to new levels? The Broncos had a year of adjustment in 2021, so happy to make some excuses for how the team went under Walters, but I'm sure you and the other Broncos fans are expecting way better things this year. Is Walters capable of helping this team deliver in 2022 or do you need to look elsewhere for a coach?
Nat
Roar Guru
Good on you Reynolds. I'm quite enthusiastic about he season ahead but I'm actually enjoying the team going under the radar with all the talk going to the Roosters, Dogs and Sharks. Even better is that the players are not finding headlines by themselves - touch wood. I have a few different options for the 2022 squad to yours. Quick point of difference with Isaako "While he was a great fullback" mmmmmmmmmmm, 'very good runner' is about the best I can give him in that position. Good winger though and plays off Staggs quite well. Now we have Reynolds and Farnworth as goal kickers he has to be the best winger possible. Oates makes great hard yards metres, otherwise he has no place in 1st grade. Let's be honest, if he didn't have the contract option in his favour he wouldn't be there now. FB will be interesting. Cobbo is a very rare talent but Niu was getting better with every game. He does need work on his defensive positioning but I would start the season with him there over Cobbo while Selwyn finds his feet in grade. We need to remember he is still 19yo and the FB role is too important for a raw boned rookie. Like Mitchell and Inglis, both started their career on the wing. Soon enough he will get used to the size and speed of the NRL and become more confident and dominant but rushing it won't help him develop. Maybe similar thoughts to starting TC Robati. Again a very big, mobile unit but 19yo (incredibly big when you see him live). I see him more as a prop than backrower possibly usurping James as a bench rotation middle. I would also have Flegler coming off the bench. Too often he gives away penalties and mistakes and they can't afford to give away early ball. They have proven repeatedly they cannot get back in the game when they go down early. I would have him in rotation with Carrigan who starts at prop. Part of that is also my preference for different body sizes not a comment if Fleg's ability. Lastly, as much as I like Gamble for all the reasons you mentioned, I think now we have Reynolds we can go with more attack off him, ala Reynolds and Walker. Gamble will most likely start the season but Ezra Mam will finish the season beside Reynolds. He was more dominant in QRL than Cobbo and he played in the front line. He has every skill, pace and very good defender. It is only a matter of time IMO. My team, that finishes the season 1, Niu 2, Isaako 3, Staggs 4, Cobbo 5, Farnworth 6, Mam 7, Reynolds (c) 8, Haas 9, Turpin 10, Carrigan 11, Capewell 12, Riki 13, Hetherington 14, Paix 15, Flegler, 16, Piakura 17, Robati/Willison.