While the more overzealous Broncos fans are probably already heralding this season as their year, the truth is that the Broncos are still a level below what you would expect from a genuine premiership contender.
While five wins on the trot is certainly an exciting way to start the season, it is not all that dissimilar to the position they were in last year, in which they were a mainstay of the top eight until a week before the end of the season when they meekly exited the finals race.
While this team is certainly better, more experienced, and more dynamic now that Reece Walsh has returned, it still does not have near the level of maturity or composure to contend with teams like the Panthers, Roosters, and Sharks come September.
Those teams have started slower, it is true, but you can already see they are working out their formations and getting back into the swing of things. Competitions are not won in April, as any long-suffering Dragons fan will tell you.
The good news is that there are a few things the Broncos can do to immediately change this and bolster their team to the point where they could undoubtedly challenge for a premiership in the next year or two.
While there is more competition than ever to attract talent with another team in the mix and an increased salary cap, the lure of the Broncos is always going to be hard to say no to.
With that in mind, here are three signings this author thinks the Broncos should seriously target.
Cameron Mcinnes
Cameron Mcinnes was an elite-level hooker, who was constantly in the top three tacklers of the year and had great service during his tenure at the Dragons. With the arrival of Hook at the Dragons, Mcinnes seemingly felt disillusioned due to a close relationship with Paul McGregor, so he signed a contract to play lock at the Sharks, where he is nowhere near as effective (although still talented) and is now situated firmly on the bench behind Finucane.
If reports are to be believed, he is on $600k a year, and doesn’t have too long left on his contract. Billy Walters is average at best, and Cory Paix looks better as an impact player rather than an 80 minute hooker.
If the Broncos can get Mcinnnes away from the Sharks with the promise of a starting hooker role, he would immediately shore up the crucial dummy half position.
Jack Wighton
While it may be a foregone conclusion that Jack will stay at the Raiders due to a mammoth offer, the fact that he has tested the open market and seems to be keen to win a premiership before he retires could provide an opening for the Broncos to steal him.
However, Wighton does not play as 5/8 in this Broncos team, but instead fills the role of Herbie Farnworth, who leaves next year to join the Dolphins. His never say die attitude, intense competitive drive, and incredible skill level would add a huge amount to the Broncos arsenal.
Jack Wighton of the Raiders (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
On occasion, the Broncos can still look disinterested, especially when they get behind on the scoreboard. Wighton would be the burst that this team needs to always at least try.
It would require a pay cut on his behalf (albeit perhaps not too much due to the increased salary cap), but if he wants to win a premiership, this is a surefire way to throw your hat in the ring.
Tohu Harris
Tohu Harris is the ultimate professional when it comes to rugby league. He is one of the best middle defenders in the game, takes strong carries all day, and, most importantly, is a cool head in what can be a very volatile position.
The Broncos have one of the best forward packs in the game, there is no denying that, but they are all still pretty young and prone to brain snaps on occasion.
Apart from Pat Carrigan, a lot of the Broncos forwards allow their emotions to get the better of them and get dragged down into the mud. Tohu Harris is not as young or strong as he used to be, but he is, without question, one of the best leaders in the game.
He will still perform excellently, don’t worry about that, but more importantly, he will keep that middle working as a team and with a focus on the end goal, not individual battles in the game that can distract them.
While there is certainly a lot of finagling to be done if the Broncos are to get even one of these players, let alone three, if the Broncos can find like-for-like characters to fill these roles, then they will still shoot to the top of premiership contention.
All they are lacking is a little bit more maturity and rugby league intelligence, and these three players will help them in that regard instantly.
Dumbo
Roar Rookie
Mo Fatuaika (love that take on his name !) may have regressed simply through being at the Titans and becoming disillusioned. If the Broncs can pick him up cheap (he is reputedly on $600K) on the understanding he gets down to 105Kg, he might offer something, but Kevvie shouldn’t be busting a gut to get him on anything longer than a one year deal, with the promise of a starting position and a decent pay rise for the following season if he lifts his game.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Moving on Lodge, TPV & Milford, despite loosing experience, was the right call. Deardon had a great 2022, but Mam is doing OK Freed up the coin for Reynolds, Capewell & Walsh
langparker
Roar Rookie
Sorry Great One but chasing Mcinnes won’t happen, he’s an overpaid bench option ( not his fault) who’s not good enough from dummy half to dominate a game. Broncs are all in on Blake Mozer as their long term hooker & Billy Walters is just keeping the seat warm for now. Marriner just extended for 3 years & will walk into the centre spot that Farnworth leaves vacant next season, don’t need to pay over $1M for a left centre who isn’t a ball player. Definitely need two new props next season when Palasia & Flegler go but can’t agree with Mo Fatuaika as a target unless he gets off that Anthony Milford exercise plan, carrying too much weight & has lost mobility since 2021. Willison is their homegrown option so not much sense putting three years development into him & then buy someone to take his opportunity. Someone will come on the market to fill a bench role. Carrigan might go upfront with Hetherington playing lock, he’s a genuine first grader. If they go to the market, I’d suggest getting Ethan Bullemor back from Manly if he doesn’t retire & go down the corporate road in finance.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
My soul, although its pretty tarnished
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Strewth Big Daddy thats no good mate. Hope you're going good and have a super speedy recovery.
Elmono
Roar Rookie
A new hooker ( or Cory Paix developing more minutes) and someone to replace Farnsworth and Flegler all sound great. However you are picking the wrong time to declare that they are not premiership contenders. I wouldn't want to limit my expectations on the Broncos any more than I want to get to excited about their great start. Happy to just wait and watch how this season plays out.
Redcap
Roar Guru
I didn't know Çlune was spelt with a cedilla. :happy: That would make him 'Slune'.
Tony
Roar Guru
That's great. Hang in there mate.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Thanks , it's been getting a bit much for me lately but funnily enough the ROAR keeps me going.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Not sure I can agree with you there Great one ! Not so sure that more experience is needed as Reynolds, Carrigan, Haas & Capewell offer plenty whilst the rest are improving every week. And those 3 "old boys" you want added, offer some good defence, but virtually nothing to the Broncos attack ? Maybe Jack can offer some strong running out wide , but don't expect him to pass the ball ? If the Broncos wanted to spend $2m on three outside players, I reckon they should invest it in their own backyard.
Tony
Roar Guru
Geez mate, that's terrible. Let's hope things go well. I will hold you in my thoughts. :thumbup:
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Tony in wars again . Had a mini stroke last Monday, reasonably okay but back to RNS for testing on Tuesday. Touch wood but have killed a cat so if I'm absent for a while you'll know why .
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
How much will you give to get rid of them .
Nat
Roar Guru
I wouldn’t say “ready made” for Fleg (he is just starting to come good himself) but Bayliss Brow is nearly exactly for size and shape. I think Willison is a bit further along though.
Phil
Roar Rookie
What about Matt Dufty???
Nat
Roar Guru
I have a lot of respect for those players but Cam would be the only one of them at Brisbane right now but not at Hooker but as he is being used now at the Sharks. Jack at $1.1m? Unless he was going to be the best ball-playing Lock - nah. A $700k center at best otherwise he disrupts a tight budget. Harris wouldn’t make the current starting 13 and when Hetherington returns I wouldn’t have him on the bench either. I do agree that it may not be this year for Brisbane but all of them will be so much better for the run. During Origin they are likely to lose most of their pack Cobbo and Walsh for 2 away games against Warriors and Sharks. I think between Sailor, Mariner and Hoeter they should cover the backs. Not sure if Fleg gets a start with Qld but Taupau, Jensen, Hetherington, Willison and Piakura should give us an idea of where the future is at.
Fraser
Roar Rookie
Yep I'm with you on this one. As much as losing Herbie is going to hurt, he's already got replacements in Arthars and Mariner. Hooker is well and truly covered with Walters, Paix, Mozer. There isn't a ready made replacement for Flegler as far as I am aware.
John Collison
Roar Pro
Mo has regressed of his own accord, he's been given a lot of chances he just has slowed down for whatever reason and its easy to see when watching.
Nat
Roar Guru
Like Hammer or Gilbert.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
That's the sort of talk I read about the Pennies at the start of the season when they won their first title of two. They'd lost a few experienced forwards and apparently the young players remaining weren't up to the task. I have no doubt that the Broncos should be trying as hard as they can to win the title this year before they lose a couple of key players. It sounds like the author was watching the same show I was watching on T.V because he is repeating the same things which were said. The idea that the team isn't experienced enough is laughable. Just compare them to the Pennies when they won and you'll find the answer. Reynolds runs the show. Hass is highly experienced and is rated as easily the best prop in the game now and so many others have played SOO and excelled. It's mainly about injuries to their top team and the other top teams. A full strength Rooster and Penny outfit will be very hard to beat in the finals but if they are missing a few and the Broncos are very healthy then they would probably be favored to win the thing. They might even be favored anyway if they are healthy and the form continues.