Brisbane Broncos roster rated: Rookie Selwyn Cobbo ready to explode in 2022
The Broncos offloaded the wooden spoon in 2021, but that was only mild consolation for another forgettable campaign. Who is fighting for their career?
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The Broncos offloaded the wooden spoon in 2021, but that was only mild consolation for another largely forgettable campaign.
While Brisbane finished the season promisingly with four wins from their final nine games, the reality is a 14th placing is unacceptable for the NRL’s richest club, which has a stated objective to make the top four every year.
Brisbane’s awards night on Thursday was an insight into a second consecutive failed season.
Superstar prop Payne Haas was so dominant he won four gongs, including the Paul Morgan Medal for the third straight year.
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Incredibly, he won the player-of-the-year award by a record margin, tallying a whopping 107 points. Jake Turpin was miles behind in second with just 39 votes. It underlined not only Haas‘ brilliance, but the lack of consistency from his Broncos teammates.
Our end-of-season rankings are proof of Brisbane’s struggles.
While Haas, Turpin and Herbie Farnworth were easily Brisbane’s top three, there was daylight to the other 33 players who turned out for the Broncos this season.
Kotoni Staggs, Brisbane’s most lethal outside back, barely scraped into the top 20 due to an injury-ravaged season in which he played just four games.
But the rankings surge of boom rookies Jordan Riki, Tesi Niu and Kobe Hetherington, who all finished in the top 10, is evidence of the talent that could make Brisbane a finals contender next season.
1 Payne Haas. Age: 21. Season games: 20 (61 total). Status: Signed 2024.
Another incredible season from the tireless prop who won Brisbane’s player of the year award in a canter for the third straight season. Haas is so far ahead of the rest at the Broncos it’s scary.
2 Herbie Farnworth. Age: 21. Season games: 20 (41 total). Status: Signed 2022.
Outstanding season from the emerging English flyer. Played 20 games and while he only managed three tries, he was a constant line-breaker with his size and pace. Named Brisbane’s best back.
3 Jake Turpin. Age: 24. Season games: 22 (45 total). Status: Signed 2022.
The gutsy hooker was named Brisbane’s most consistent player after registering a team-high 22 games. He gives it his all on the field but needs to improve in some key areas of the game.
4 Xavier Coates. Age: 20. Season games: 17 (32 total). Status: Joining Storm.
Brisbane’s leading tryscorer with 11 from 17 games. Scored some excellent long-range tries and again tasted Origin with the Maroons. Brisbane could rue his development at the Storm next year.
5 Jordan Riki. Age: 21. Season games: 18 (23 total). Status: Signed 2024.
Still very raw defensively but produced some blockbusting charges in the second half of the season. Signed a new three-year deal and can develop into a matchwinning back-rower.
6 Tesi Niu. Age: 20. Season games: 16 (22 total). Status: Signed 2023.
Started the year with patchy form at centre before being dropped for two months and then returning at fullback. Showed glimpses of brilliance in the No. 1 to prove he is a player of the future.
7 Tom Flegler. Age: 22. Season games: 20 (56 total). Status: Signed 2023.
Started the season slowly but his shock Origin selection triggered a late-season form burst. Tough as nails and can hurt in defence but must watch his discipline. Ready to step up in the engine room.
8 Alex Glenn. Age: 33. Season games: 18 (285 total). Status: Retired.
The retiring captain battled away courageously all year as his body started to let him down. Gave it his all until literally the very last minute of his career despite carrying a calf injury into his final game. A great role model.
9 Tyson Gamble. Age: 25. Season games: 13 (16 total). Status: Signed 2023.
Debuted for the Broncos in the Round 8 win against Gold Coast and brought plenty of energy that the team needed. Improved as the year went on and will be a handy halves option in 2022.
10 Kobe Hetherington. Age: 22. Season games: 14 (14 total). Status: Signed 2023.
The forward discovery of the season. The son of Maroons legend Jason relishes the tough stuff and plays above his weight. Brisbane’s rookie of the year is a major threat to Pat Carrigan for the No. 13 jumper.
11 Matt Lodge. Age: 26. Season games: 12 (83 total). Status: Released to Warriors.
Was arguably one of Brisbane’s best players before being released to the Warriors after the Round 15 loss to Souths. Finished fifth in the player-of-the-year voting despite only making 12 appearances.
12 Jamayne Isaako. Age: 25. Season games: 18 (76 total). Status: Signed 2022.
Started the season at fullback before being dropped, was recalled to his best position on the wing then got axed again. Six tries from 18 games wasn’t his best return.
13 Corey Oates. Age: 26. Season games: 14 (170 total). Status: Signed 2022.
Brisbane’s cult figure has become rocks or diamonds on the wing. His kick returns are heroic and brutal but Oates needs to improve his handling, particularly under the high ball.
14 Tevita Pangai Jr. Age: 25. Season games: 15 (100 total). Status: Joining Bulldogs.
Was his usual inconsistent self before being released to join Penrith late in the season. Could be one that got away from Brisbane or may never realise his potential. Time will tell.
15 Albert Kelly. Age: 30. Season games: 8 (118 total). Status: Signed 2022.
Great NRL fightback from Kelly. The former Titans halfback arrived on a train-and-trial deal and clinched a full-time contract after carving up the Roosters in round 11. A handy backup for Adam Reynolds.
16 Anthony Milford. Age: 27. Season games: 13 (193 total). Status: Joining Souths.
Was outstanding in the final month but by then it was too little, too late. Again failed to live up to his $1 million price tag and it ultimately cost him his Broncos career.
17 Kotoni Staggs. Age: 22. Season games: 4 (51 total). Status: Signed 2025.
Hard to judge given the explosive centre missed most of the season as he recovered from a knee reconstruction but made a cracking return to prove how good a player he is. Suffered another knee injury after four games but will be a huge inclusion next year.
18 TC Robati. Age: 19. Season games: 10 (10 total). Status: Signed 2024.
Here comes Tropical Cyclone Robati. The Kiwi relished his debut against Melbourne in round 12 and runs like his life depends on it. Could be a damaging bench weapon next season.
19 Selwyn Cobbo. Age: 19. Season games: 7 (7 total). Status: Signed 2023.
Hard not to get excited about Cobbo. The Indigenous rookie has the physical look of Latrell Mitchell and produced some fine displays at centre in the final month. Ready to explode in 2022.
20 Rhys Kennedy. Age: 26. Season games: 16 (38 total). Status: Signed 2022.
Was a serviceable middle forward option off the bench for the Broncos. Has the potential to improve next year.
21 David Mead. Age: 32. Season games: 12 (171 total). Status: Signed 2022.
The journeyman winger was in and out of the team for much of the year but rarely let them down when he got a chance.
22 Ethan Bullemor. Age: 21. Season games: 17 (25 total). Status: Joining Manly.
Made solid progress this season, highlighted by his excellent solo try against Penrith. Great leg speed for a middle forward but the Broncos could not compete with Manly for his signature.
23 Jesse Arthars. Age: 23. Season games: 11 (29 total). Status: Signed 2023.
The backline Mr Fix It didn’t feature until Round 8 and then managed 10 straight games. A crucial part of the squad who has secured a two-year extension.
24 John Asiata. Age: 28. Season games: 10 (138 total). Status: Unsigned.
Started the season well and was part of Brisbane’s forward rotation, only for a neck injury to limit his opportunities. Unwanted for next season, a victim of Brisbane’s posse of younger forwards.
25 Keenan Palasia. Age: 24. Season games: 9 (11 total). Status: Signed 2022.
Has had an injury-ravaged career but showed some promising signs in the back end of the season when he transitioned to the front row. Earned a new deal and could be a big improver next year.
26 Brodie Croft. Age: 24. Season games: 12 (65 total). Status: Joining Salford.
High hopes for Croft but was another victim of Brisbane’s halfback poisoned chalice. Never took control of Brisbane’s offence and was given an early release to link with Salford next season.
27 Pat Carrigan. Age: 23. Season games: 8 (46 total). Status: Signed 2022.
The reliable forward was probably below his best and then suffered a season-ending knee injury after eight games. Will be hoping for a better season next year.
28 Danny Levi. Age: 25. Season games: 9 (112 total). Status: Unsigned.
Did well to fight his way into the Broncos top squad after arriving in pre-season at feeder club Norths Devils. Held his own when filling in for the injured Jake Turpin. On the lookout for a new home in 2022.
29 Tom Dearden. Age: 20. Season games: 5 (34 total). Status: Released to Cowboys.
Was overlooked for the No. 7 jersey to start the year then got four straight appearances at halfback before being axed and released to North Queensland. A sad end to his Broncos career for a highly-rated talent.
30 Cory Paix. Age: 21. Season games: 4 (17 total). Status: Signed 2023.
Clinched a new two-year contract late in the season and was impressive in Brisbane’s final game against Newcastle. Still developing as a hooker and has the pace and utility value to be a clever No. 14.
31 Ben Te’o. Age: 34. Season games: 5 (173 total). Status: Retired.
Played the first five games of the year off the bench before a serious biceps injury ended his career.
32 Xavier Willison. Age: 19. Season games: 3 (3 total). Status: Signed 2023.
Handed a shock debut in round 20 and showed some nice touches, only to rupture his ACL in his third NRL game. The teenager faces a lengthy rehabilitation but time is on his side.
33 Karmichael Hunt. Age: 34. Season games: 2 (127 total). Status: Retired.
Made a stunning comeback to the NRL after 12 years out of the game but was no longer up to the level. Provided some much-needed experience at Red Hill.
34 Richard Kennar. Age: 26. Season games: 2 (31 total). Status: Unsigned.
Played back-to-back games in rounds five and six but never really part of Kevin Walters’ backline plans and was not seen again for the rest of the season. Fighting for his career in the NRL.
35 Brendan Piakura. Age: 19. Season games: 1 (1 total). Status: Signed 2024.
Made his NRL debut late in the season and was sin-binned within minutes. Didn’t get the opportunity this year but is a bright prospect who will be one to watch in 2022.
36 Dale Copley. Age: 30. Season games: 3 (148 total). Status: Released to Roosters.
Pointless signing. Returned to Brisbane in pre-season but was rarely sighted and ultimately released to the Roosters late in the year. Ridiculously injury-prone and is better off retiring for his long-term welfare.
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