What a ride of emotions the past thirty-six months have been for Brisbane Broncos fans; “winning” a spoon, “enjoying” a year in the cellar, and most recently dropping out of a seemingly locked-in finals spot. No one can doubt the fall from grace the club has been in, having not lifted the premiership trophy since the days of Darren Lockyer.
So where to now for the Brisbane Broncos?
To start this rebuilding story, we have to go back to last year, when the Red Hill club bought across the then-current Melbourne Storm CEO David Donaghy, bringing back champion player and Ex Queensland Maroons coach Kevin Walters and reeling in NRL 360 host Ben Ikin to their cause. The club made some massive changes to staff and that was followed by some big-name player signings and an exodus of Bronco “Bad Boys”.
In came Adam Reynolds, Kurt Capewell, Brenko Lee, Jordan Pereira, Corey Jensen, and Billy Walters. Out went, Tevita Pangai-Junior, Matt Lodge, and Xavier Coates.
The season started inconsistently, winning some big games and losing some crucial ones. Brisbane was left obliterated by the Cowboys in round 3 and followed that up with successive losses to the Warriors, Roosters, and Panthers. Then the Broncos went on a winning streak of eight successive matches, with the greatest highlight pummelling the Manly Sea Eagles 38-0 in Magic Round.
Brisbane Broncos (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Then those defensive inconsistencies started showing again, losing to the Storm and Cowboys in successive weeks, getting into a shootout with the Dragons, and then barely scrapping home against a much-maligned Titans squad. The Broncos were messy but they were winning. Mindsets should’ve been focused on these results not being good enough, instead, it was 2021’s mindset of “at least we aren’t last”.
That incredibly destructive and misled confidence was only boosted in a dominant display against the Eels, a consistent finals team since 2017, which prompted sports reporters, pundits, and average joes alike to hype these Broncos to the point of no return.
Where did that lead them? Losing five out of their last six games and slipping from fourth on the ladder to ninth.
So the question remains, if a team can genuinely destroy a finals-bound squad, what needs to change? Why can’t they do this every week?
ATTITUDE.
Attitude will make or break squads. People will liken why the Storm, Queensland, or even the Panthers of late have been so incredibly dominant. It is their attitude. Every NRL player can make a tackle, they are playing at the highest level the great game has. There is no talent deficit. It is the thought process of going 100% into every play, knowing that one mistake can cost you the game.
That’s the difference between every other team and the Storm, the Panthers, the Roosters and those mighty QLD Maroons. Attitude is the most important part of any football team.
For a brief moment, let’s compare two of the prop forward stars in the game. North Queensland’s Reuban Cotter and Brisbane’s Payne Haas. 99.9% of the country, heading into the 2022 season would never have thought that this comparison would ever be talked about. Not many knew of Cotter, even less knew of his transition to lock/prop forward. On current form, many NRL coaches would die to have Cotter in their squad, whereas I’m sure there are a few scratching their heads at the prospect of a prop forward more focused on earning a million dollars instead of eight hundred thousand.
Payne Haas. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Now I won’t deny Haas as an incredible prop forward, he has represented his state and most likely will represent his country in the coming world cup. However, when during his club’s first real look at being a consistent NRL team, he demands a release from the club.
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Now, this article isn’t meant to turn into a bag-out fest, however, it is clear that even for the very best Brisbane players, other things are always on their mind instead of ‘I have to go 100% into every play’.
That’s where the cracks have re-emerged for the Broncos, the cracks which cost the club a finals appearance, after such a promising year. It isn’t an easy fix, the club has a long way to go, but the key to improving next year must be fixing their attitude.
Now looking into 2023, the Broncos are set to have numerous committee meetings around the future of their coaching staff and new player signings. The best way forward for Brisbane is planning. If they do intend on keeping Kevin Walters as the coach they need to decide on that ASAP, to at least allow the players to know what their plan is for next season.
The incoming acquisition of Reece Walsh is one that should excite Broncos fans, however, the loss of key back-ups Brenko Lee, Te Marie Martin, Tyson Gamble, and the always under spotlight question around Payne Haas’s future need to be addressed properly. Who will be the starting hooker? Who will be the utility option? Who will be the primary back-ups to the backline? These are questions that need to be sorted out as soon as possible for the Brisbane Broncos to have a successful season in 2023.
mach4
Roar Rookie
Rhinos make the GF, spot on with your assessment.
Dumbo
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately, Canterbury has already picked up Pele. He's only 21 and still growing into his body (if you can say that about a guy who weighs 130Kg) but he was great for the Newtown Jets this year. If the Sharks could have kept him, I think he would have fitted in as the new Andrew Fifita in 2023. He would have been a great Haas replacement
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
The Dolphins are through to the QLD Cup grand final against North's next week, matth. They breezed past the Bears 28 vs 16 today in the PF. They had to do a Bunnies at one point and defend with only 11 men. Unlike the Bunnies though they just fell short of keeping their opponents scoreless during that period. That said Bears have bigger brains and claws than chooks! :silly:
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
And round one next year move Farnworth to his preferred right center position and move Staggs to left center, Give Staggs three games to get as involved as Farnworth was last year, If not punt him to Norths and bring in Deine Mariner
Boingo
Guest
Hard to give a verdict on Reynolds v Ilias. Reyno definitely lifted the Broncos. Probably as expected? On the other hand Ilias was coming in to replace a club legend after 2 years of no football. He was on a hiding to nothing. And to do what he's done is pretty bloody remarkable really. Still ... I can't help but think Reyno may have got Souths into the top 4 again.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
The Broncos board and /or Walters made a comfortable decision when hiring assistant coaches Matterson and Cartwright, essentially clones of Walters, same age, played the same era, and have been assistants at a few clubs. And have failed to look outside the NRL box for replacements, Rohan Smith , successful coach at Broncos feeder, Norths Devils this year was appointed head coach at Leeds Rhinos, but not good enough for the Broncos?
Noel
Roar Rookie
I think the broncs made the right call holding their nerve with D Fifita. He was offered a fair contract, but took a lot more money elsewhere. I thought at the time the broncs made the right decision, and I'm comfortable with how it played out . Of course, Haas' situation is different, given he's on contract. It's going to be a delicate balancing act, but the Broncs would be mad, in my view, to capitulate to his demands. He could be the best young forward I've seen, but we still have talent in the lower ranks that is worth investing in...
steveng
Roar Rookie
Hope so Matth, as it could be as soon as this year :thumbup: never know how a cookie crumbles. The Bunnies need to have a consistent side as they haven't bought anyone for 2023 and these young kids look good for future for us. Lets see what happens?
matth
Roar Guru
You might change your mind if your Bunnies are holding up a trophy in a few weeks :happy:
steveng
Roar Rookie
And as 2023 and 2024 comes on, Reno will be prone to more and more injuries like he's been injured at the Bunnies, especially in the last 3 years more and more but, I still think that Souths should have never ever let him go or allowed him to go anywhere! As and if Reno was with the Bunnies in the coming games and with Walker and Trell combinations we would be certainties and would have never ever ended up in 7th spot. Adam Reynolds should have been retained and paid whatever he asked for as he is a Souths LEGEND and dedicated and was loyal to the end and a player like him should never ever be playing for especially the Broncos as its just as bad as the Roosters!
Rellum
Roar Guru
Indeed. Reynolds will be key for the next two years. For after that we need to plan now
Cam
Roar Rookie
Agree, but he wasn't on his own, quite a few of the 20 some-things also run out of legs. I kind of think this comes back to how horribly unfit the squad were under Seibold. Walters got them marginally fitter in 2021, but it was the arrival of Dave Donaghy from the Storm who set the Broncos onto the path of elite fitness. They were driven to breaking point during the last off-season, with players complaining publicly about the extreme fitness sessions leading into the trials. The results were awesome leading into the backend of the season, but it cooked them in the last 5 or 6 rounds. It usually takes a couple of those off-seasons for the players to maintain through into the finals.
matth
Roar Guru
I’d say we got exactly what was expected. Direction, a quality kicking game, good attitude, but a player in old legs who ran out of puff towards the end of the season.
Cam
Roar Rookie
He is asking for too much money. If it were me, I'd pick up Frank Pele for next to nothing and then use the Haas money to buy an elite hooker. Reece Robinson is coming off contract next year.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
It's hard to argue with the Broncos recruitment of Reynolds but I have always had an open mind from a Souths point of view. It was potentially a wise move from Souths.
Cat Brown
Guest
How about the "old boys" butt out. Tallis had nothing good to say about Seibold and got him moved on. He kept agitating against Seibold and got him moved on. So the players just followed suit.
Cam
Roar Rookie
I thought he was exactly what the Broncos needed for their squad and results up until the wheels fell off probably supported that. He has 2 years to run, played 20 matches this season and I'd expect him to be there at the end of 2024. From Souths perspective, whomever decided to pull the trigger on Reynolds is finally being vindicated with great late-season results from Ilias.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I'll be interested to see how the recruitment of Adam Reynolds plays out over the next couple of years.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Broncos in limbo until the Hass issue is resolved, Personally, as a Broncos supporter since day one, I would be happy to see him go
Yawn
Guest
Start by signing a decent coach.