Brisbane Broncos: 2024 players list & profiles, complete season wrap up
It was supposed to be a season in which the Broncos went from runners-up to champions. Things went very differently.
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Love them or hate them the Brisbane Broncos have certainly left a mark on the NRL across the past few decades.
This is everything you need to know about the club’s 2024 campaign >>>
Jump to: History | Ins and outs | Draw | Profiles | Fast facts
What is the history of the Brisbane Broncos?
The NRL club entered the competition – then known and the New South Wales Rugby League – in 1988.
They have since gone on to become one of Australia’s most successful sporting teams, winning six grand finals (1992, 1993, 1997 (Super League), 1998, 2000 and 2006).
The club endured its toughest times during the Covid-hit season of 2020, finishing last for the first time in history.
The Broncos recovered to nearly claim the 2023 decider, pipped only by a late Panthers surge.
The club has delivered a string of big-name rugby league talents, including Wally Lewis, Allan Langer, Darren Lockyer, Wendell Sailor, Reece Walsh, Shane Webcke, Payne Haas and Kevin Walters, the coach who was dumped in September 2024.
The club has also encountered and overcome a range of off-field issues, including shocks and scandals, as listed here.
The club’s inaugural coach was legendary mentor Wayne Bennett.
The 2024 captain is Adam Reynolds, who led the club to a season-opening 20-10 loss to the Roosters in Las Vegas before they bounced back in Round 2.
After a strong surge in form leading into the Origin series, the club crashed back outside of the top eight amid a losing streak, sparking supremo Dave Donaghy to address the collapse.
Who were the new Broncos players in 2024?
Muswellbrook-born prop Fletcher Baker (Sydney Roosters) signed until 2025, while Brisbane junior Jaiyden Hunt, also front row, (St George Illawarra Dragons) did the same.
Meanwhile prop Logan Bayliss-Brow (unsigned), backrower Kurt Capewell (Warriors), centre Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), prop Thomas Flegler (Dolphins) and young forward Keenan Palasia (Titans) all departed at the end of 2023.
What was the Broncos’ 2024 draw?
Who was in the 2024 Broncos team?
Adam Reynolds (halfback)
The club captain, 33-year-old halfback Reynolds appeared to hold the club’s title chances in his hands.
He made headlines in February when he was involved in a scuffle with close mate Pat Carrigan.
Despite his age looks set to stay in Brisbane for a least another couple of seasons.
Reynolds in February 2024 spoke of how he plans to bury his grand final demons.
However in May he suffered a potential season-ending shoulder injury that cast doubts over the club’s season, and was due to return in July just as the club faced a finals tightrope.
In August former club captain Gorden Tallis suggested it was time to make Pat Carrigan skipper as the Broncos season faded.
Club debut: 2022
Previous club: Rabbitohs
Instagram:rendiggiti7
Ben Te Kura (prop)
The young prop, 19, looked to fill the gap left by the departed Thomas Flegler in 2024.
At 205cm he became the tallest player in NRL when he made his debut.
After strong form in the lower ranks he suffered a foot injury in May to further test the Broncos’ depth.
Club debut: 2024
Billy Walters (hooker)
Much maligned but vastly improved, the son of Kevin Walters made the hooker role his own in 2023.
He again needed to improve to stave off the threat of the emerging rakes.
In March he joined teammates in refusing to discuss the club’s grand final defeat to the Panthers from 2023.
In May Walters suffered a wrist injury that ruled him out of Magic Round, however he returned as he revealed his personal pain that drives him.
Club debut: 2022
Previous club: Storm, Tigers
Instagram:billy_walters66
Blake Mozer (hooker)
The Keebra Park product only turned 20 during the 2024 season but was among those pressing for more game time.
Made his NRL debut last season and will have eyes on the hooker spot.
Question marks remained after a mixed pre-season showing.
Despite being down the club pecking order, Mozer was in May hailed as a future superstar by a club great.
Club debut: 2023
Brendan Piakura (backrow)
Cook Islands international Piakura is an emerging talent.
The backrower turned 22 on May 16 and was knocked out in the opening clash of the season against the Roosters but hopes were rising about his impact throughout the season.
An injury hampered his progress but he was locked in to return in April.
Club debut: 2021
Instagram: brendanpiakura
Corey Jensen (prop/backrow)
Now 30, veteran prop Jensen cracked 100 NRL games in 2024.
Was hailed as a hunky flood hero early in 2024.
He became even more vital to the club’s cause in June when front row partner Payne Haas was on Origin duty, however he had his own issues with an ankle injury.
Club debut: 2022
Previous club: Cowboys
Corey Oates (winger)
Turning 30 on October 20, Oates is now very much in the senior class and suffered a loss of form which saw him fall from the starting wing role last season.
However he again appeared on the outer at the start of 2024.
In March he spoke about his apparent “rift” with coach Kevin Walters after scoring in his comeback match against the Cowboys.
In August, amid claims he may not have a future with the Broncos, he was embroiled in an on-field blowup with teammate Reece Walsh.
In October he confirmed he would retire after 216 games and 121 tries for the club.
Club debut: 2013
Instagram: coreyoates
Cory Paix (hooker)
Now 24, Paix is yet another young hooker who had designs on the No. 9 jumper.
The Toowoomba product was nearing 50 top grade games.
Club debut: 2020
Deine Mariner (winger)
The winger turned 21 on April 25 and had a breakout season.
Staked his claims in pre-season when his blistering speed caught the eye.
That then led into a starting role in the opening rounds.
In the opening rounds he also spoke about speculation he could have ended up at the Dolphins.
Club debut: 2022
Delouise Hoeter (centre)
Turning 30 on March 6, the Tonga international centre hoped to be the big winner from Herbie Farnworth’s exit.
Entering 2024 he had played just 15 NRL games since his debut with the Wests Tigers in 2015.
Club debut: 2022
Previous club: Tigers
Ezra Mam (five-eighth)
Inked a new five-year deal, the 21-year-old five-eighth has become a star of the competition.
His grand final hat-trick will go down in folklore, even if he was on the losing side.
His 2024 season started with drama when he was at the centre of racial slur allegations.
The club would later hit back at allegations a slur from Broncos players kickstarted the war of words.
He was tasked with leading the injury-hit team during the Origin period.
In October he was involved in a car crash, leading to him entering rehab.
Club debut: 2022
Instagram:ezra.mam
Fletcher Baker (prop)
The NSW-born prop joined the club after three seasons with the Roosters, a club that he spoke about heading into Round 1.
He will turn 25 on Boxing Day later in the year and was eyeing more game time.
Pressed his starting claims with strong pre-season form.
Club debut: 2024
Previous club: Roosters
Jaiyden Hunt (prop)
At 111kg and 191cm the Dragons recruit added bulk to the Broncos pack, though he failed to truly fire as many had hoped.
Returns to his home town and, at 25, is entering his peak years as a prop.
Club debut: 2024
Previous club: Dragons
Jesse Arthars (winger)
Somewhat a Mr Fixit across stints at the Titans, Broncos and Warriors, Arthars made a home for himself on the wing in 2024.
Turning 26 on July 8, after an impressive start to 2024 he suffered a jaw injury in May, ruling him out for an extended period.
Club debut: 2020
Previous clubs: Titans, Warriors
Instagram:jessearthars
Jock Madden (halfback)
A talented junior halfback, the 23-year-old switched from the Wests Tigers in 2023.
In April Madden expressed his desire to succeed Adam Reynolds as the club’s No.7 after filling in during the skipper’s injury lay-off.
Club debut: 2023
Previous club: Tigers
Jordan Pereira (winger)
Turning 31 on April 6, the winger had an uphill battle to crack the starting team.
However he impressed with limited opportunities since joining the Broncos in 2022.
Club debut: 2022
Previous club: Dragons
Jordan Riki (backrow)
One of the young players who went to another level during the club’s finals run, the 24-year-old backrower did not find that consistency again.
Club debut: N/A
Instagram:jordanriki
Kobe Hetherington (lock)
The son of former Origin player Jason Hetherington, the wholehearted lock became a bench mainstay since his 2021 debut.
Turns 25 on March 11.
Club debut: 2021
Kotoni Staggs (centre)
The centre made his Australia Test debut in 2024, having previously played for NSW in Origin.
With more than 100 games, he is a true strike player in the backline and, at 25, will only get better.
He spoke in February 2024 about his family’s long search to be united.
Club debut: 2018
Instagram: kotonistaggs1
Martin Taupau (prop)
Now 34, the prop struggled for game time given the long list of emerging talents.
Needed eight games in 2024 to crack 250 but his spot in the top 17 remained in doubt.
Club debut: 2023
Previous clubs: Sea Eagles, Tigers, Bulldogs
Patrick Carrigan (lock)
Was the centre of a pre-season stoush with skipper Adam Reynolds but remains a bona fide star in the forward pack.
The state and Test forward is one of the most bankable players in the competition and the 26-year-old could yet be the next club captain.
He made headlines in May when it was revealed he wore special underwear amid a radio set-up.
Carrigan was also hailed by an emotional Walsh as one of the reasons behind the fullback’s rapid rise to stardom.
Club debut: 2019
Instagram: ppaattyycarrigan
Payne Haas (prop)
Has endured a wild ride to the top but the 117kg giant remains one of the best props in the competition.
Has played more than 100 NRL games, 11 Origins for NSW and four Tests for Australia at just 24.
Who will partner him in the front row remains the question, though he missed some of the opening rounds through injury.
Haas lined up for NSW in the Origin opener, however club greats declared the prop needed help in the middle of the field to ensure the Broncos play finals in 2024.
Club debut: 2018
Instagram:lege_era0
Reece Walsh (fullback)
Meet the brash, good-looking young gun dubbed the ‘Justin Bieber of the NRL’.
The fullback, who turned 22 in July, made his Queensland State of Origin debut in 2023 and established himself as one of the true stars of the competition.
He famously attracted a whole new legion of female fans to the game and is regarded as a face of the league who may be bigger than the game itself.
Despite this, it’s understood he will earn about $400,000 for the 2024 season, though he is forecast to become the club’s highest-paid player in the coming years.
In March it was revealed he was a new face for Ralph Lauren Fragrances, just weeks after a sickening facial fracture ruled him out for several games, though his fashion statement still garnered headlines.
While Walsh is considered lightning, the fastest player at the Broncos in the 2023 season was now-departed centre Herbie Farnworth, who was clocked running at 35.64km/h.
n the Origin opener Walsh was infamously concussed after a high shot from Blues rivals Joseph Suallii, leading to Walters and Broncos officials to urge the NRL to start protecting him.
Club debut: 2023
Previous club: Warriors
Instagram:walshyy07
Selwyn Cobbo (winger/centre)
The winger was touted as a starter in the centres but his rep future looks on the flank after making his Queensland and national debuts in recent years.
Has a strong tryscoring record and, just 22, shapes as the future of the club.
In March he was on the end of the “tackle from heaven” against the Cowboys.
A month later he opened up about the challenges of shifting to centre.
In June it was revealed Cobbo, who was controversially named on the bench for the Origin opener, had opened talks with the Broncos to remain on a mega deal.
Cobbo also made headlines during the Origin period, when he was dropped from Queensland’s team for Game 2 but returned amid speculation he didn’t see eye-to-eye with coach Billy Slater.
Club debut: 2021
Tristan Sailor (fullback)
The son of club great Wendell Sailor looked too good for lower grades but the squeeze for spots meant the 25-year-old inked a Super League deal.
Played just nine NRL matches coming into 2024 but shaped as a supersub after impressing in pre-season.
In March he returned to the starting side as cover for Reece Walsh and insisted he is ready to grab a regular position, however injury doubts lingered.
Club debut: 2023
Previous club: Dragons
Tyson Smoothy (hooker)
The hooker switched from the Storm in 2023 and found a spot on the bench as backup to Billy Walters.
Turning 25 in July, Smoothy provides a punch off the pine.
Club debut: 2023
Previous club: Storm
Instagram: tysonsmoothy
Xavier Willison (front row/second row)
Still only 21, the front or backrower has somewhat slipped down the pecking order after debuting in 2021.
Claimed he wanted a big year to secure his future but at 114kg the Cook Island rep has the talent.
Pressed his starting claims with strong pre-season form.
Club debut: 2021
Jack Gosiewski (second row)
The 29-year-old started 2024 with the Cowboys but in April switched as the Broncos looked to strengthen their forward stocks.
Gosiewski jumped to his Queensland rivals after North Queensland agreed on compassionate grounds.
Club debut: 2024
Supplementary players
■ Israel Leota
■ Josh Rogers, who in May was touted as being in the frame for regular game time following the injury to Adam Reynolds
■ Josiah Karapani (centre)
The 22-year-old, a former Rabbitohs development player, was in May called in to make his NRL debut after impressing for Souths Logan in the HostPlus Cup.
BRONCOS FAST FACTS
What is the Broncos’ home ground?
Suncorp Stadium, which they have used since 2003 when it was redeveloped.
They had previously used the ground then known as Lang Park from 1988 until 1992.
From 1993 until 2003 they played out of QEII Stadium.
Who is the Broncos’ major sponsor?
Kia Australia.
Powers Brewing was famously a long-time major sponsor.
Who is the Broncos’ coach?
Kevin Walters led the squad in his fourth season at the helm, though by September his time came to a dramatic end, with Michael Maguire taking over.
Walters had previously coached the Queensland Maroons and is considered a club great, having won multiple grand finals across his 242 games for Brisbane.
He spoke early in the 2024 season about giving his young side the licence to thrill.
However will some players refused to elaborate on the club’s grand final heartache from 2023, Walters in March said it was time to move on.
He also inched towards a new contract with the club and jokingly claimed he’d like to be around longer than Wayne Bennett.
Despite his side’s impressive form in the opening months the coach declared he still wanted more from his team.
In June Walters called for better protection on fullback Walsh after he was concussed in the Origin opener.
He was also blunt about the club’s finals hopes as they slid to another defeat in July.
Who are some famous Broncos supporters?
■ Ian Healy, former Test cricket wicketkeeper
■ Mackenzie Arnold, Australian football goalkeeper
■ Carl Barron, Australian comedian
■ Allan Border, Australian cricket men’s captain
■ Quentin Bryce, 25th Governor General of Australia
■ Cate Campbell, Malawian-born Australian swimmer and Olympic gold medalist
■ Jim Chalmers, Treasurer of Australia
■ Cameron Dick, 36th Deputy Premier of Queensland
■ Andrew Fraser, 47th Treasurer of Queensland
■ Bernard Fanning, lead singer of Powderfinger
■ Katrina Gorry, Australian footballer
■ Wayne Goss, 34th Premier of Queensland
Jump to: History | Ins and outs | Draw | Profiles | Fast facts
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