NRL 2024: Next-gen Broncos tipped to replace departing stars

Four members of the Brisbane side that played in last year’s heartbreaking grand final loss to Penrith are gone for the 2024 season. Billy Walters breaks down their potential replacements.

(L-R) Xavier Willison, Deine Mariner, Blake Mozer.

Brisbane is planning to unleash another batch of young stars having unearthed the likes of Selwyn Cobbo, Ezra Mann and Jordan Rikki in recent years.

Broncos hooker Billy Walters said the side would promote from within to help with the burden of a host of experienced players who have left the club.

Four players from Brisbane’s grand final side have gone elsewhere – Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Keenan Palasia (Titans), Tom Flegler (Dolphins) and Kurt Capewell (Warriors).

Roosters recruit Fletcher Baker is the only regular first grader the Broncos have signed for 2024 with Walters nominating a host of youngsters to make their mark.

But in a slight setback, Baker is sidelined after having groin surgery and will be racing the clock to play in a trial before the Broncos hit Vegas to face the Roosters in round 1.

Coach Kevin Walters has also earmarked giant young prop, Ben Te Kura, to make his first grade debut this season.

Ben Te Kura is one Bronco expected to debut in 2024. Picture: /Getty Images)

However front-rower Xavier Willison, hooker Blake Mozer and outside back Deine Mariner are the trio of players Billy Walters expects to take another step forward next season.

“Xavier is a big young lad,” Walters said.

“He has had a tough run with injuries. If he can stay on the field he will have a big year.

“Blake is keeping me on my toes. Everyone is keen to get him in the side to see how he goes. I am doing my best to keep him at bay.

“Deine will hopefully come in and fill the spot that Herbie left. He is very fast and very raw. “If he gets a couple of games in a row he will start to find his mojo. He is filling into his body too. I’ve noticed he is putting on size.

“I can’t wait to see him in the open field a couple of times.”

The likes of Mam and Reece Walsh are also expected to take their game’s to another level as they continue to find their feet in first grade.

Walters noticed an obvious shift in the pair towards the end of last season.

“You look at 12 months ago and you see where Walsh and Ezra were and what last year did for them,” Walters said.

“It’s exciting to think, ‘If that’s what they did in 12 months what they will be like in another 12 months?’

“It’s exciting that they can go to another level.”

As Walters gears up to start the year as Brisbane’s first-choice hooker, he does so still plagued by the mental anguish of the grand final loss.

He has no idea how long it will take to rid himself of those thoughts.

“It’s hard,” Walters said.

“I don’t know. I always think about it. You have to try and use it as motivation and make yourself work harder and be better for next year so you don’t have to have that feeling again. “It was tough for a couple of weeks. You know you don’t get too many chances. It felt like we had the game there which makes it an even harder pill to swallow.”

Walters said he wants to transform his game into an 80-minute hooker.

“It’s pretty tough,” Walters said.

“I remember six or seven minutes into the grand final I was absolutely cooked. The best hookers in the game play 80 minutes. I want to improve my running game.

“I don’t have to be the superstar. We have plenty of boys in our team who can do that.

“I just need to tackle well and get them some nice clean ball. I thought like I did at the back end of the year.”