25 reasons Brisbane Broncos will be great again in 2025
Brisbane crashed back to earth in 2024 after coming within minutes of drinking from the NRL’s Holy Grail. But optimism is running high at Red Hill following the club’s supercharged cash windfall.
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The Brisbane Broncos came crashing back down to earth last year following their 2023 NRL grand final season.
It was a dismal year for the Broncos, finishing 12th in a disappointing season that culminated in the sacking of coach Kevin Walters.
But the club is far from a basket case and optimism is high at Red Hill that the Broncos will be back in premiership contention under the tutelage of new coach Michael Maguire.
Here are 25 reasons why the Broncos can bounce back in 2025.
1. MAJOR MADGE
The Broncos now have a proven NRL premiership-winning coach in Michael Maguire leading the way. Maguire has done it before and knows what it takes to win a competition.
2. REECE ‘LIGHTNING’
It wasn’t that long ago that Reece Walsh was the hottest player in the NRL. Walsh struggled with injuries last year and lost his way but appears to be back on track and primed for a big 2025.
3. FRESH IDEAS
It’s not only Maguire that’s new at Red Hill. His assistants Ben Te’o and Trent Barrett are also new additions that will bring fresh ideas to the way the Broncos play.
4. THE HITMAN
Speaking of Te’o, he was one of the game’s most feared defenders in his prime. If he can inject some of that hit man mentality into Brisbane’s defence it will only mean good things.
5. CULTURE CLUB
Maguire has made an immediate effort to clean up perceived cultural problems at Red Hill. The Broncos have been put on notice after appearing to cultivate some bad habits in recent times.
6. NO PAYNE
Payne Haas is one of the best forwards in the NRL but he had a torrid time with injury last year. Haas only managed 14 games for the Broncos, his lowest return in six years. He is on track to start the season fit in what is a great boost for Brisbane.
7. PERFECT PAT
Pat Carrigan capped a great year by being crowned Brisbane’s player of the season. The Maroons star is now one of the Broncos’ leaders and a Kangaroos forward.
8. GOOD HUNTING
The signing of Ben Hunt was the NRL’s biggest recruitment win of the off-season. Hunt is going to add plenty to Brisbane’s squad and he will become even more valuable if Adam Reynolds struggles with injuries again.
9. STAGGS PARTY
Kotoni Staggs became a genuine leader at the Broncos last year and was arguably the club’s best player in the tough back end of the season. Staggs is peaking as a player and set for another big season.
10. BUMPER CROWDS
The Broncos have never been more popular. They cracked 60,000 members last year for the first time and could top that figure this year. They won’t struggle for a lack of support, particularly at Suncorp Stadium.
11. DRAW DELIGHTS
You wouldn’t call it an easy draw but the Broncos shouldn’t have too many complaints about their schedule. They play 14 games at Suncorp and only leave Queensland once in the last month.
12. NO VEGAS
The Broncos were part of NRL history last year but they’re quietly happy about not visiting Las Vegas this year.
13. ROCK STAR BAN
Whether it’s true or not, the Broncos were perceived to have a rock star mentality. That’s no longer the case. The six-pack ban is in and egos have been brought into line.
14. NO HANGOVER
They went within minutes of winning the 2023 NRL premiership but the grand final hangover lasted for a year. The Broncos didn’t recover after the heartbreaking loss to Penrith but those scars should have healed by now.
15. SPEED DEMONS
The Broncos boast one of the fastest backlines in the NRL. Every player has speed to burn, particularly Reece Walsh, Deine Mariner, Selwyn Cobbo, Kotoni Staggs and Ezra Mam.
16. SUPER SELWYN
The Broncos are working hard behind the scenes to get Selwyn Cobbo back to his best. Cobbo is one of the most destructive players in the game but struggled for a number of reasons last year. If he fires, the Broncos will be lethal.
17. ON AUDITION
The Broncos are on audition in front of a new coach. Maguire won’t be playing favourites and the players will have to prove themselves.
18. CAP RESET
Nearly half of Brisbane’s squad are playing for their futures. Fourteen of the top 30 is off-contract at the end of the year. That gives the Broncos the ability to shuffle the deck chairs and reset their salary cap.
19. CASHED UP
The Broncos have never been richer. Brisbane raked in $75 million of revenue, making it the biggest club in the game. They have the resources to become a premiership powerhouse.
20. REDCLIFFE RIVALRY
The Broncos and Dolphins have a genuine rivalry that is fascinating to watch. Brisbane was clearly the better club in 2023 but the Dolphins finished higher last year. The rise of Redcliffe should inspire Brisbane to fight back.
21. EXPERIENCE COUNTS
Brisbane’s key players are a year older and more experienced. The likes of Reece Walsh, Pat Carrigan, Payne Haas, Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo are no longer NRL babies.
22. NEW MAM
It happened in the off-season but Ezra Mam has got his car crash saga sorted and taken big steps to get his life back in order. Mam failed to back up his 2023 grand final heroics last year but is in a better position to fire in 2025 after he serves a nine-game ban.
23. BABY BRONCOS
There is a long line of young talent pushing for more time in the top grade. The likes of Blake Mozer, Coby Black, Va’a Semu, Jett Bryce, Cameron Bukowski, and Latrell Siegwalt are some of the young guns putting pressure on the top players.
24. REYNO’S RETIREMENT
Adam Reynolds might be struggling with a neck injury but the captain will want to go out with a bang in what is likely to be his last NRL season. He is still a valuable asset when fit.
25. BRUISED EGOS
The Broncos should be hurting after the season they produced last year and would enjoy nothing more than silencing their haters. They shouldn’t need much motivation.
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