2024 NRL: Brisbane Broncos Season Preview

After their heartbreaking loss in the 2023 Grand Final, the Brisbane Broncos enter 2024 looking to make amends.

Season Preview

There’s an old adage in sport that suggests that you have to lose one to win one. That’s certainly what Kevin Walters and his Broncos will be hoping for in 2024, although the ghosts of their record collapse in the 2023 Grand Final may prove too difficult to ward off.

In some ways, the Broncos overachieved in 2023, returning to the finals for the first time in four years and only missing out on the minor premiership to the Panthers in the final round. When Ezra Mam scored his third try in 10 minutes to give the Broncos a 24-8 lead midway through the second half of the grand final, it seemed almost certain that the trophy was heading to Red Hill for the first time in 17 years. But it was not to be.

Things will look a little different at the Broncos in 2024, with Herbie Farnworth, Tom Flegler (both Dolphins), Keenan Palasia (Titans), and Kurt Capewell (Warriors) all departing during the off-season. In their place come Fletcher Baker (Roosters) and Jaiyden Hunt (Dragons), both of whom are likely to slot straight into the side in Round 1. Selwyn Cobbo is also favourite to replace Farnworth at centre, leaving a position open on the wing for either Corey Oates or Deine Mariner.

The Broncos open their season as part of the historic Las Vegas double-header, taking on the Sydney Roosters on Sunday 3 March (Australian time). They return to Suncorp Stadium in Round 2 against South Sydney. Other marquee games for the Broncos include Good Friday at home against the Cowboys (Round 4), derbies against the Dolphins in Round 6 and 26 and grand final rematches against Penrith in Round 3 (away) and Round 18 (home). Two of their three byes are before Origin (Round 13 and 16), with the third in Round 24.

Best Signing

Muswellbrook Rams junior Fletcher Baker joins the Broncos after 45 games over three seasons at the Roosters. Though he was in and out of the side a lot during his time at Bondi Junction, he played an important role at the back end of the 2023 season as the Roosters recovered from 14^th to qualify for the finals. With a change of scenery, Baker will be looking to move into the starting 17 full-time, particularly with the departures of several forwards from the club.

Key Player

He may not have the experience or leadership of Adam Reynolds or Pat Carrigan, but dynamic fullback Reece Walsh shapes as the key player for the Broncos in 2024. In his first season with the club last year, he led the way in terms of try assists (26 – third in the NRL), line break assists (37 – first in the NRL), line breaks (21) and kick return metres (807), was second for tackle breaks (127) and line engagements (98) and fourth in offloads (25) and total runs (343). The Panthers identified Walsh as the key man in the grand final, giving him minimal time and space and putting the pressure on. Having debuted for Queensland in 2023, Walsh will be looking to give the other 16 teams nightmares again in 2024.

Player to Watch

21-year-old New Zealand-born Cook Islands international Xavier Willison will be looking to make one of the vacant spots in the Broncos forward pack his own in 2024, having made seven first grade appearances in 2023 to take his career tally to 11. A big, strong prop forward, Willison was among the best for Norths Devils and Wynnum Manly in the Hostplus Cup last year, averaging 141 metres and 20 tackles per game (94% tackle efficiency). Along with highly rated rookie Benjamin Te Kura, Willison is a look at the next generation of Broncos forwards and is likely to spend a lot of time in first grade.

Number Crunching

Premiers: 6 (1992, 1993, 1997 – SL, 1998, 2000, 2006)
Minor Premierships: 4 (1992, 1997 – SL, 1998, 2000)
10 years win/loss record: 133 wins, 116 losses, 1 drawn (53.2%)
5 years win/loss record: 54 wins, 65 losses, 1 drawn (45%)
2023 win/loss record: 18 wins, 6 losses (75%)
NRL Finals Appearances since 2014: 7
NRL Finals win/loss record since 2014: 6 wins, 8 losses (42.9%)
Biggest win since 2014: 54, vs Gold Coast Titans (0-54, 5/8/17, CBUS Super Stadium)
Biggest loss since 2014: 59, vs Sydney Roosters (0-59, 4/6/20, Suncorp Stadium)