Opinion
I don’t know about you, but I often get a bit frustrated watching players who previously played for my team running around killing it for rival teams.
So, when I started doing a bit of digging, I discovered that I could put together a pretty handy team from ex-members of my team – the Broncos.
In fact, when looking at the number of eligible players (25), it felt a bit like we are the training ground for the NRL, especially when it comes to forwards.
I know you can’t keep them all but geez we have let some quality go for various reasons.
My eligibility criteria were current NRL players that had at any stage played for the Broncos but are now playing for other teams.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
I also only allowed players who had actually played a senior game for Brisbane, unfortunately ruling out a couple of players that were deep in the Broncos’ system before they were poached, such as Sam Walker and Reece Walsh.
Walsh, in particular, would have made this side even more dangerous. Since coming up with this concept, Ash Taylor has also announced his retirement, although he would have struggled to make the side anyway.
As mentioned, competition for prop roles was easily the keenest while putting together a quality spine was the most challenging task, reflecting Brisbane’s struggles in this area over the last five-plus years.
Surprisingly wingers were also an issue, which was disappointing given some of the great flyers for Brisbane in the past.
In general though, there were very few players out of position.
I believe the resultant team would beat any other team of exes, that is if any other club could even field a full team, and probably hold its own against many teams in the competition.
The Ex-Broncos
1. Jamayne Isaako
2. Dane Gagai
3. Jack Bird
4. Tom Opacic
5. Xavier Coates
6. Tom Dearden
7. Ben Hunt (c)
8. Joe Ofahengaue
9. Andrew McCullough
10. Matt Lodge
11. David Fifita
12. Tevita Pangai Junior
13. Jai Arrow
14. Francis Molo
15. Jaydn Su’A
16. Josh McGuire
17. Jarrod Wallace
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
I debated about having Jake Granville on the bench, as per how the Cowboys use him, but the impact off the current bench would be pretty powerful.
In a pinch, Hunt could push to dummy half with Bird into the halves and Su’A into the centres.
Other eligible players that others may have been chosen instead in their side include Ethan Bullemor, Herman Ese’ese, Kodi Nikorima, Sean O’Sullivan, Tautau Moga and James Roberts (long-term injury).
This would give the squad pretty reasonable depth in all areas.
Of course, there could only be one coach of the exes but there are plenty of potential assistants such as Anthony Griffin, Jason Demetriou, Stephen Kearney and Peter Gentle.
What do you think Roarers? Would your exes beat my exes? Is this the best Broncos exes team? Or how do you think this side would go in the comp this year?
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