NRL 2024 scouting report: Brisbane Broncos’ best 17; Herbie Farnworth, Thomas Flelger replacements
The departure of Herbie Farnworth and Tom Flegler left two gaping holes in Brisbane’s 2024 starting line-up. TRAVIS MEYN reveals who will replace the Dolphins defectors.
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The Broncos made it back to the NRL grand final in 2023 for the first time in eight years – but it ended in another heartbreaking loss for Brisbane.
The dramatic comeback win by Penrith to clinch three straight NRL premierships ensured Brisbane’s title drought will stretch into an 18th year in 2024.
It was an agonising defeat for the Broncos and coach Kevin Walters in his third season in charge at Red Hill.
Can the Broncos bounce back and go one step further in 2024? Or have they missed their premiership window following the departure of some big name players?
2023 RICH 100 REPS: Payne Haas (28, $848,000), Adam Reynolds (34, $800,000), Kotoni Staggs (59, $700,000), Tom Flegler (65, $675,000), Kurt Capewell (98, $550,000)
FREE AGENCY WRAP
The Broncos have been one of the least active clubs in the NRL recruitment market, opting to put a focus on retention.
In a significant blow, however, they have lost four grand final players, who all had exceptional 2023 seasons – Herbie Farnworth and Tom Flegler to the Dolphins, Keenan Palasia to the Titans and Kurt Capewell to the Warriors, despite having a year to remain on his Brisbane deal.
The Broncos have only replaced them with unproven NRL performers in Fletcher Baker (Roosters) and Jaiyden Hunt (Dragons).
Instead, they have emphasised retaining top talent like Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam, Pat Carrigan, Payne Haas and Deine Mariner.
RATING: C
COACH STATUS
Kevin Walters (contracted to 2025) went into the 2023 NRL season with major question marks around his future after missing the finals in his first two years in charge of the Broncos. He was rewarded with a two-year contract extension before the season started and put those doubts to bed by guiding Brisbane to its first grand final since 2015. The Broncos fell agonisingly short of snapping the club’s 17-year title drought with a heartbreaking loss to Penrith in the decider. But Walters proved he is an NRL coach and won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
SAFETY RATING: A
LIKELY DEBUTANT(S)
Ben Te Kura, Israel Leota. The Broncos have got an established squad and good depth across the park, so don’t expect to see too many debutants in 2024. Young hooker Blake Mozer played one NRL game last season and could see more game time while the likes of Deine Mariner and Xavier Willison should become NRL regulars. Queensland under-19 representatives Ben Te Kura and Israel Leota will be pushing for NRL debuts as the season progresses.
WHO TAKES THE NEXT STEP: DEINE MARINER
Herbie Farnworth had a sensational 2023 season and developed into one of the NRL’s elite centres. His move to the Dolphins opens up a spot on Brisbane’s left edge and Mariner is the next in line. Mariner has freakish talent and has long been tipped for big things and now he gets his opportunity.
BURNINGS ISSUES
1. The scars
How will Brisbane’s gutting grand final loss affect the club? It’s the great unknown. The Broncos surrendered a 24-8 lead in the final 20 minutes of the decider to lose 26-24 to the Panthers. The defeat could either galvanise and spur on the Broncos for redemption, or leave them a shattered mess. Only time will tell.
2. The cap
The Broncos lost four top performers in Capewell, Farnworth, Flegler and Palasia this year and there may be more to come. With improving players comes salary cap problems and the Broncos face a tough juggling task to keep this team together for a title tilt. Keeping the likes of Ezra Mam, Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo, Kotoni Staggs, Adam Reynolds, Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan won’t be easy, but reluctantly allowing Capewell to depart was a strategic move designed to help with their other priority players.
3. The skipper
How many more years of top flight football does Adam Reynolds have left in him? Reynolds produced an excellent 2023 campaign to guide the Broncos to the grand final. But he will be bitterly disappointed with his performance in the decider and there are now questions over how much longer Reynolds can be an elite halfback. Time is running out for him to deliver the Broncos a title.
CRYSTAL BALL
The Broncos will be premiership contenders again in 2024 but they haven’t replaced the quality players they have lost and are banking on incumbent talent to get the job done. The next generation of Broncos need to take a big step forward and Adam Reynolds has to stay fit and firing if Brisbane is to feature in the grand final. They should make the top four but may have missed a golden opportunity.
FINISH THE LAST FIVE YEARS
2023: 2nd (runners-up)
2022: 9th
2021: 14th
2020: Last
2019: 8th (eliminated first week of finals)
2024 ODDS
Premiership: $4.50
Minor premiership: $4
Top four: $1.60
Top eight: $1.15
To miss top eight: $4.75
To miss top four: $2.10
Most losses: $201
Originally published as NRL 2024 scouting report: Brisbane Broncos’ best 17; Herbie Farnworth, Thomas Flelger replacements
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