Crystal ball look at who could replace Flegler, Farnworth and co at the Broncos
Here’s a crystal ball insight into the Brisbane Broncos next generation of players as the NRL powerhouse stockpiles its talent to replace departing or ageing players.
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As if the Brisbane Broncos’ future is not rosy enough, we peer into the future and give supporters an insight into the type of young players in the club’s system.
The 2023 grand finalists will be losing grand final aces Tom Flegler and Herbie Farnworth for 2024, and have ageing champions like Adam Reynolds, Kurt Capewell, Martin Taupau and Corey Oates on their books.
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So who are some of the young guns the club’s famed recruitment team have identified?
Here’s what we can tell you.
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Tom Flegler goes out, so who goes in?
Xavier Willison
Obviously the Broncos have several ready made, experienced middle forwards on their books.
But in terms of rookies, Willison, the Palm Beach Currumbin SHS alumni, is a fabulous prospect. He overcame serious injury earlier this decade and we are very excited to see this athletic big man back to full fitness. Don’t expect him to have the impact of Flegler - yet. The Dolphins bound Flegler took seasons to mature, and Willison is only at the start of that journey now. But he is a good investment for 2024 and beyond.
Ben Te Kura
Big Ben is a young giant, a hulking middle forward out of the Wavell SHS stable. He is not as athletic as Willison, but is big and strong and powerful and gathering experience as the months roll by. He is sure to play NRL in 2024.
Crystal ball prediction: Cohen Jackson. There is a long road to go for the St Patrick’s College, Mackay, student, but he has a high work ethic and does the simple things right.
Fa’apale Feaunati: There is an even longer road to go for this tall, athletic prop, but he is an impressive young man from Pat Carrigan’s old school of St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace, and a fine junior prospect. He played Queensland under 15s last season.
Adam Reynolds goes out, so who goes in?
Coby Black
The best schoolboy halfback in Queensland for most of the season was Marsden SHS’s No.7 Coby Black, although it must be noted PBC SHS’s Zane Harrison (Titans) was without peer across the finals.
Black has all the skills. What he needs to do is nail down the basics, all the one per cent plays. He needs to bed them down to such an extent, he is almost bored practising and implementing them.
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Then, off the back of that, his natural talent will flow to the surface, not unlike Ezra Mam whose natural skills simply cannot be curtailed.
We are not saying he will play NRL next season - don’t forget the club has Jock Madden as an Adam Reynolds shadow - but Black is a future prospect.
Braithen Scott
Scott is from the rugby league heartland of the Darling Downs. He attends Jonathan Thurston’s old school of St Mary’s, Toowoomba, and even wears headgear.
He is a halfback, through and through - a rock solid recruit in this age group.
Scott added a dimension to his game during the Meninga Cup season when he starred as a fullback, creating and scoring tries almost at will.
Crystal ball prediction:Marley McLaren. Watch for McLaren, a Year 11 student in 2024, to play Langer Trophy for Palm Beach Currumbin SHS. He is a clever player, a bit cheeky, but a good junior signing.
Kurt Capewell goes out, so who goes in?
Jett Bryce
We are not retiring Capewell, the champion backrower, just yet. We have too much respect for him. But he will be 31 next year and close to the end.
Among other options, the Broncos have Coombabah SHS alumni Brendan Piakura ready to roll after his NRL career gatherered some momentum in 2023 after he had been put in ice for some time.
Into the future the Broncos have Keebra Park SHS’s Jett Bryce on their books. This blokes work rate is extraordinary. Looks are deceiving in that Bryce does not look like an NRL back rower in the making, but this lightweight edge forward packs a punch. He has an extraordinary work rate, someone who puts 100 per cent into every play. He was a very, very strong contender for Langer Trophy’s Justin Hodges Medal for player of the year. He played Queensland schoolboys this season. For us, Bryce is the ants pants.
Crystal ball prediction: We have a very close eye on Wavell SHS back rower Jared Horne who will play Langer Trophy in 2024.
Herbie Farnworth goes out, so who goes in?
Deine Mariner
Erase any memories you have of Deine Mariner playing wing. He is not a winger. He is a specialist centre. What that wing exposure has done is give him valuable game day NRL experience. But centre is his position. He is the short term future.
Crystal ball prediction: Marsden SHS graduate Kylem Vunipola is a young gun with a great attitude. He will be training the house down over summer and we admire his desire and enthusiasm. That can take him places.
There is a bolter from the bush as well. Shalom College (Bundaberg) student Tom Morcom who is a skilled hard worker.
Corey Paix goes out, so who goes in?
Blake Mozer
Obviously the Broncos have grand final dummy halves Billy Walters and Tyson Smoothy locked and loaded, but Mozer is the future.
The under 19 Queensland State of Origin leader has fast tracked his development playing against men in the Queensland Cup under Karmichael Hunt’s coaching at Souths Logan.
He is a smart No.9 with the ball, reads the game and also hits and sticks in defence.
Crystal ball prediction: We can see the day when Mozer starts and Cameron Bukowski plays No.14.
Bukowski, a hooker, is just about to leave Year 12 at Villanova College. The Queensland schoolboys dummy half also captained Villa’s First XV from inside centre, and farewelled three seasons of First XI cricket with a century off 75 balls in March.
He is an Brisbane Tigers junior who now plays with Wynnum Manly.
We also have a watch on Wynnum Manly junior Ezekiel Jones who played his way into a contract earlier this year during a fine Connell Challenge under 16 campaign. He is a real blue collar worker.
Reece Walsh goes out due to Origin commitments, so who goes in?
David Bryenton
David who? We are very excited about this Year 10 Keebra Park SHS student. He hails from Walsh’s old school and, like Walsh, is not a big fullback.
Bryenton is a stepper. He has wonderful footwork, has acceleration and evasive skills around the ruck. He is a natural player who is fun to watch.
Also put a watch on Saxon Innes. More about him below.
Corey Oates goes out, so who goes in?
Israel Leota
The tall, athletic Leota has a great vertical leap and is ripe and ready to be blooded in 2024. He comes from the rugby league junior nursery hotbed of Logan City.
Saxon Innes
Innes’ point of difference is his speed. He was timed during Broncos summer training during the last off season running 40m in just 4.63 seconds.
Unlike Oates, he is a lightweight winger (he also plays fullback), but it is his pace which is Innes’ point of difference.
He hails from the Helensvale Hornets but went to rugby league finishing school at Marsden SHS.
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