Will the Broncos break through for their seventh premiership in 2017?

SUMMER SCHOOL: What do the Broncos need to do to break through for their seventh premiership in 2017?

Anthony Milford is again the key to the Broncos.

WHEN Wayne Bennett is in Brisbane titles aren’t demanded, they’re just expected.

Were it not for a couple of freakish Cowboys wins over the past two seasons, Brisbane could easily have their seventh premiership in the bag but remain without a title in the second Wayne Bennett era.

They again have the artillery to challenge for the title in 2017 and we’ve looked at what they need to focus on before 2017 begins in the next instalment of our Summer School series?

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Can their halves take the next step?

The only thing that stops Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt from being the best halves combination in the competition is their inability to provide direction for the Broncos when it matters most. Both of them are creative players who thrive on running the ball — organising the team does not come naturally to them and while it is an area they have improved in over the last few seasons, it has still cost them late in matches more than once.

On several occasions last season both halves made poor choices at the end of sets with their kicking games and as they enter their third year together, the time is now to leave the errors of the past behind.

If they can improve their kicking game and make better choices on the final tackle it will remove one of the Broncos few remaining weaknesses.

Hunt and Milford are already two of the most dangerous players in the league.

What is the key to James Roberts?

It seemed as though every week last season we were greeted by news that the Broncos had finally found a way to unleash the talents of James Roberts. But by the end of his difficult first season for the club, we were still waiting.

Roberts was solid without being the game-breaking weapon that we know he can be and Brisbane will be keen to get the flyer involved as much as possible in 2017.

The most tantalising, albeit unlikely, way to do so would be switching him from the right side to the left so he can link with Milford more often but regardless of the method it’s something Wayne Bennett will no doubt focus on between now and March.

Jai Arrow seems the early favourite to replace Corey Parker.

Who replaces Corey Parker?

Replacing their retiring skipper is part of a larger question regarding the exact makeup of the Broncos forward pack. Talent is not a problem, only how the pieces fit together. Sam Thaiday is capable of playing in the middle and on the edge and could slot straight in at the back of the scrum or Adam Blair may shift from prop to lock, but the difference in their role would only be the number on their back.

However, Bennett may instead opt to use the veteran as a starting second rower, as he did in the later matches of 2016, while pushing Alex Glenn to the bench. If Bennett does play Thaiday at second row the likes of Jai Arrow, Tevita Pangai Jr and Jo Ofahengaue all come into contention.

Arrow is the player most like Parker, a hardworking grinder who put up numbers in the Under 20s that will make SuperCoach people lick their lips, while Pangai Junior could be used in the same way North Queensland use Jason Taumalolo in terms of providing some real power with his carries. Ofahengaue seems the outsider after he slipped out of first grade last season.

Will Davd Mead get a start on the wing?

What will the backline look like?

Brisbane were cruelled by injuries in the outside backs last season and they responded by signing Tautau Moga, Mosese Pangai and David Mead, giving them far greater depth at centre and wing. Assuming Jordan Kahu starts at right centre ahead of Tom Opacic, these three new boys will compete with the Serbian Sensation and Jonus Pearson for a place on the right wing. We’ll give the early edge to Mead because of his experience in that exact spot for the Titans.

Can Bennett get some final magic out of Benji Marshall?

Can Bennett bring Benji back?

Brisbane landing Benji Marshall was already one of the stranger signings of recent times but the way Brisbane plan to use him is even stranger.

According to reports, Bennett intends to use Marshall as a utility despite the fact that Marshall has played one of his last 247 matches outside the halves.

It seems unlikely that Marshall plays more than a handful of games for Brisbane — he’s certain of at least a couple of starts around the Origin period — but his history and star power mean that the way Bennett uses him will be under scrutiny all season.

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Predicted team for Round 1, 2017

1. Darius Boyd 2. Corey Oates 3. Jordan Kahu 4. James Roberts 5. David Mead 6. Anthony Milford 7. Ben Hunt 8. Josh McGuire 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Adam Blair 11. Sam Thaiday 12. Matt Gillett 13. Jai Arrow 14. Alex Glenn 15. Kodi Nikorima 16. Tevita Pangai Junior 17. Jo Ofahengaue

Brisbane have great continuity among their squad with only a couple of minor question surrounding the makeup of their best team. Jordan Kahu could slide to the right wing if Bennett chooses to go with the impressive Tom Opacic at left centre while Arrow will have to overcome the challenge of Pangai Junior in order to secure a starting spot at lock. Ofahengaue may be pushed for the final spot on the bench by the returning Mitchell Dodds, who was a favourite of Bennett’s in 2015.