NRL 2023: Two Kevin Walters formulas driving Brisbane Broncos’ unbeaten start to 2023
Broncos coach Kevin Walters has developed two formulas to eradicate the complacency that proved to be Brisbane’s downfall in 2023.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Five-straight wins have the Brisbane Broncos riding high on top of the NRL ladder.
It’s Brisbane’s best start to a season since 1998, the same year the Red Hill outfit went on to premiership glory.
The side’s dominance has Broncos faithful believing season 2023 will deliver a similar result.
We take a look at the eight reasons why this Brisbane team can go all the way, and the banana peel that could easily throw the Broncos off their course.
8 REASONS WHY BRISBANE CAN WIN NRL AND ONE BANANA PEEL
COMPLACENCY HAS LEFT THE BUILDING
Complacency is a season killer, the Broncos know that better than most. Fans watched a top-four spot on the ladder descend into a finals washout in 2022. But Walters has come up with two solutions that are working. The coach has broken down the season into month blocks, making the season easier to attack and narrowing the focus of players. Walters has also introduced a motto – ‘hammer the rock’. Which is a reminder that persistence and perseverance pays off.
DEPTH
To win games, you need to compete and to compete you need depth and the Broncos are flush with options.
When winger Corey Coates was ruled out with a broken jaw Jesse Arthars stepped up and hasn’t skipped a beat. Winger Selwyn Cobbo showed the round 1 win over Penrith that he is a more than capable fullback replacement for Reece Walsh after starring at the back against Panthers. That versatility is backed up with depth from guys like Delouise Hoeter, Ethan Quai-Ward and Jordan Perera.
A hit to the starting pack can be covered by the likes of Corey Jensen, who can also slot into the backrow, and Martin Taupau with rising forwards like Xavier Willison and Brendan Piakura itching for their shot.
Jock Madden is an astute signing and has proven a halfback safety net if the worst does happen and Adam Reynolds goes down.
RECRUITS
Walsh’s injection has added a game-breaking dimension to Brisbane’s attack. The livewire fullback is a threat whenever he touches the ball and his unpredictability keeps defences nervous and on their toes. But a mature Walsh has found consistency and effort, and that will make him an instrumental cog in Brisbane’s title push.
Taupau joined from Manly late in the piece but has made the most of his NRL lifeline and is playing with a new-found vigour from the bench. A professional when it comes to his health and conditioning, the seasoned forward will be a vital source for the side’s rising forward bucks.
FORWARD PACK
It’s becoming a commentator’s catchcry, ‘who can stop Payne Haas’, as the damaging big man tears through the opposition.
The prop’s huge motor, and broad shoulders, has carried the Broncos stoically in leaner times. But this year, Haas is not a lone soldier. His one-two punch combination with Pat Carrigan has been bruising. Despite being committed to the Dolphins, Thomas Flegler has kept his mind on the job. Corey Jensen is an underrated workhorse. Taupau is playing with conviction and Keenan Palasia is making a mark. Combined, it’s created a platform for a dynamic spine and powerful backs to excel.
WINNING EXPERIENCE
Adam Reynolds is at the peak of his powers as a halfback but also as a skipper. His pinpoint kicking game and composure is giving the Broncos direction and putting the side where it needs to be on the field, giving strike players the best possible shot at capitalising on field position. The premiership winning No. 7 is not only leading by example but has the complete trust and respect of his young outfit.
X-FACTOR — EXUBERANCE OF YOUTH
X-factor is often defined in flashy plays and strike power. But it would be remiss to ignore that youth is in itself an x-factor. A jubilant Penrith outfit, that had dominated the NRL for three-straight seasons, is living proof. Penrith’s fearlessness, energy and confidence was underpinned by its youth. In both title winning seasons, the Panthers had an average age of around 24-years-old. This Broncos outfit is the fifth youngest in the NRL with an average age of 25.31, and is playing with the same confidence, boldness and abundance as the reigning champs, who coincidentally are now an older side than Brisbane.
THE STAT — LONG RANGE RAIDS
That fearlessness of youth can be quantified in the way Brisbane is piling on the points. A Fox Sports Lab analysis shows the Broncos are leading the competition for long-range tries. Brisbane’s nine long efforts, from a total of 26 tries, not only show a side confident enough to attack the line anywhere from the field, but one that is excelling in push support. Not only are they showing up for each other in defence, but they are supporting each other in attacking raids. This is a team singing from the same hymn sheet.
KEVIN WALTERS — DRESSING SHEDS
Podcast hot takes from Tyson Gamble and Cobbo questioning Walters’ credentials put the coach in the cross hairs and he was forced to wear the endless headlines about losing the trust of the dressing room. But Brisbane’s stunning run has put that talk to bed. This is an outfit that is buying whatever it is Walters is selling. The Broncos are playing for each other and their coach. That unified front, that buy-in, will help ensure Brisbane will remain a hard team to beat.
BIG QUESTION MARKS HANGING OVER BRONCOS
The Broncos are rejuvenated. But the real litmus test of their transformation will be the way this side responds after a loss and Walters’ ability to galvanise the outfit as soon as things start looking shaky. Brisbane also faces the real possibility of being decimated by Origin, with six stars in the mix for both the Blues and Maroons. They’ll be without their Origin stars in round 13 against the Warriors, and only have a three day turn around into the Sharks after game one. Representative players will have four-days to prepare for the Titans in round 17 after game two and just three days into the Canterbury clash in round 20 after game three of the series.
Pacific Championship stars fighting for bumper pay rises
From Super League stars looking for NRL homecomings to outcasts facing the rugby league scrap heap, these are the players looking to use the Pacific Championship to secure their futures and earn a pay rise ahead of the November 1 deadline.
Knights-Souths player swap called off, Hunt heads to open market
Plans for a proposed player swap between the Knights and Rabbitohs have been called off, while the Dragons are eyeing a Tigers star after Ben Hunt was cleared to test his value on the open market.