Queensland NRL power rankings: One man will make or break Broncos’ season; Cowboys still No. 1

The 2023 season is sure to be a make or break one for two coaches of Queensland based NRL clubs. We reveal the state power rankings ahead of the upcoming season.

Qld power rankings: Coach under pressure

The battle for rugby league supremacy in Queensland has never been so cut throat. Here we rate the strengths and weaknesses of the Broncos, Cowboys, Dolphins and Titans in our exclusive 2023 NRL power rankings.

And while it is shaping up as a make-or-break year for the head coaching futures of Kevin Walters at the Broncos and Justin Holbrook at the Titans, Todd Payten looks well on target to take the Cowboys to their first grand final in six years.

Meanwhile, soon-to-be 73-year-old Wayne Bennett is also facing what could be his toughest ever season in his return to coaching at the Dolphins.

We dissect the good, the bad, and the unknown for each Queensland club in the countdown to the Christmas break, identifying key strengths and weaknesses, while giving an overall rating out of 10 and what would be considered a pass or fail for each club in 2023.

Let us know what you think.

BRISBANE BRONCOS: STATE OF PLAY

Let’s not beat around the bush here. Kevvie Walters is coming into his third season as Broncos’ head coach. So if he doesn’t at least get them into the finals he can’t expect to keep his job at a club that was once the benchmark of not just Queensland rugby league but the entire NRL.

There is no denying Walters took over a club in chaos, but it’s time to prove he is the man to lead this club for the long haul. Last year’s capitulation to completely crash out of finals contention was just unacceptable. A further concern is that the Broncos have a tough draw to kick off the season, taking on premiers Penrith first up away followed by the Cowboys, Dragons, then it’s the grudge match in the making showdown with Bennett’s Dolphins. It’s crucial the Broncos hit the ground running or the pressure on the coach could become unbearable.

Pressure is on Kevin Walters to steer the Broncos into the finals. Picture: Zak Simmonds

QLD POWER RANKING (2ND)

Forwards: 7.5 out of 10

Backs: 8 out of 10

Spine: 7 out of 10

Overall: 7.5 out of 10

THE GOOD

This is one of the most talented rosters across the 17 clubs on paper and well and truly capable of fighting for a top four finish. Just look at the names starting with the back five of Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo, Herbie Farnworth, Kotoni Staggs and Corey Oates. That’s a five-star line up. Then you have Adam Reynolds and the electric Ezra Mam in the halves, and a pack overflowing with talent led by Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan and Kurt Capewell. If they don’t make the finals at a minimum they will have underachieved.

THE BAD

There’s not many more exciting players to watch than Reece Walsh with the ball in hand. But some of his defensive efforts at the Warriors last season just weren’t up to NRL standard. It’s no secret it was singled out as the reason why Stacey Jones grew frustrated with him, and for that reason it must be something of a concern for everyone at the Broncos. You have to remember Walsh is still only 20, so you’ve got to give him some leeway. But while he has all the talent in the world, he’ll never match the champion fullbacks like James Tedesco and Billy Slater if he doesn’t put as much focus on his defence as his attack.

Reece Walsh is a key link man in the Broncos’ backline. Picture: Lachie Millard

THE UNKNOWN

So much depends on Reynolds’ fitness, and that scare the veteran skipper sent through camp recently when he went down with a minor leg injury at training is just a taste of what’s to come.

For all the talent and youth, there is also still an obvious lack of experience in the spine. As mentioned, Walsh is 20, Mam 19, while there’s still a question mark hanging over who will get the No. 9 jumper out of 28-year-old Billy Walters or 22-year-old Cory Paix.

TAB PREMIERSHIP ODDS:$15

COWBOYS: STATE OF PLAY

This time last year they were the overwhelming favourites among the expert tipsters to finish with the wooden spoon. Now the TAB has the Cowboys fourth favourites behind the Panthers ($4), Roosters ($6) and Storm ($7.50).

Tom Gilbert and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow are the highest profile departures, while former premiership-winning prop James Tamou returns and Jack Gosiewski adds further depth.

Coach Payten also has a favourable draw, especially to start the season with three of their first four games at home, while overall they have 10 match ups against 2022 finalists and 14 against teams that finished outside the eight.

North Queensland Cowboys coach Todd Payten supervises a Castle Hill run. Picture: North Queensland Cowboys

QLD POWER RANKING (1ST)

Forwards: 8

Backs: 8

Spine: 8

Overall: 8

THE GOOD

The premiership window is officially open. On paper this is a roster that doesn’t really have a weakness, with a tremendous blend of youth, experience and depth. Stability is another key factor, as well as a super exciting spine that will only get better with age.

While Chad Townsend is the elder statesman, turning 32 in January, Scott Drinkwater is 25, Tom Dearden 21 and Reece Robson 24. Throw in the likes of boom youngsters Jeremiah Nanai, Reuben Cotter, Murray Taulagi and Heilum Luki, and that’s what you call the foundations to one hell of a future.

THE BAD

While there is no obvious downside here, the Cowboys need look no further south than Brisbane to see how easily it can all fall apart when a few talented youngsters start getting carried away with their own hype. You wouldn’t expect that to happen with men like Payten and defensive coach Dean Young watching over, but it’s always a danger with boom young players.

The other issue when you have this many exciting young guns can be keeping them together under a salary cap environment, knowing rivals will be offering massive overs. That can easily lead to unrest if not handled professionally at all levels.

Young Cowboys superstar Jeremiah Nanai. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

THE UNKNOWN

Expectation can be the biggest burden in professional sport. Now the Cowboys have shown what they are capable of they will be expected to not only challenge for the top four but potentially go one step further from last year’s grand final qualifier. While that prelim final was a disappointing way to finish an otherwise outstanding season, perhaps the greatest positive to take out of the season was that they went from conceding 31-plus points a game in 2021 to just 15 per game in 2022.

TAB PREMIERSHIP ODDS: $11

DOLPHINS: STATE OF PLAY

The fact no one expects the Dolphins to finish in the top eight doesn’t alleviate any of the pressure. In fact, it adds to it. While finishing better than bottom four should be considered a good year, claiming the spoon would be disastrous.

The reason Bennett was put in charge is because of his resume and his ability to attract players. The fact the Dolphins, as yet, have not been able to jag a marquee player has got everyone at the higher levels of the game a little nervous.

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett talks to his troops in Redcliffe. Picture: NRL Imagery

QLD POWER RANKING (4TH)

Forwards: 7

Backs: 5

Spine: 5.5

Overall: 5.5

THE GOOD

Bennett’s coaching record speaks for itself. Throw in a core group of senior leaders including Jesse and Kenny Bromwich, Felise Kaufusi and the underrated Mark Nicholls, and you’d be a fool taking the short odds for them to finish last. Recruitment boss Peter O’Sullivan has also put together a pretty hot list of youngsters led by former Panthers gun Isaiya Katoa, who is considered the best young playmaker coming through. The addition of Tongan and former St Helens coach Kristian Woolf as Bennett’s assistant is also a huge asset for the future. The Dolphins just have to get through some early growing pains and they should have a solid foundation for years to come.

THE BAD

There is no hiding from the fact they are really missing some star-power in the backs. With the exception of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s there is a real lack of that X factor type player that can put the opposition in two minds. Landing someone like Herbie Farnworth or Dylan Brown for season 2024 would be huge boost. But they still need to build for 2023, and it is hard to see where the star power will come from at this late stage.

Dolphins recruits Mark Nicholls and Tom Gilbert. Picture: Steve Pohlner

THE UNKNOWN

How will the untested spine of Tabuai-Fidow at fullback, Anthony Milford and Sean O’Sullivan in the halves, and Jeremy Marshall-King at dummy half aim up is the biggest question that will decide how well the Dolphins go in their maiden NRL season.

Milford’s form will be crucial. He turns 29 next year and previously played his best footy under Bennett. But it’s been a long time between drinks for the player who was unlucky not to win the Clive Churchill Medal in 2015.

TAB PREMIERSHIP ODDS: $67

TITANS: STATE OF PLAY

There was a period this year when reports emerged that Justin Holbrook could be sacked within days mid-season. While that never eventuated, he simply can’t afford another underperforming season or he will be gone next time. And taking that into account, the first four rounds could be crucial. The Titans take on wooden spooners Wests Tigers first up, followed by the Dragons, then it’s the Storm and Cowboys followed by the bye. They have a squad capable of making the play offs, but another bottom four finish just won’t cut it.

Titans coach Justin Holbrook is building a good squad but knows his side must aim up in 2023 otherwise he could be in the firing line.

QLD POWER RANKING (3RD)

Forwards: 7

Backs: 6.5

Spine: 7

Overall: 6.5

THE GOOD

You could argue the Titans now have a stronger spine than the Broncos with the recruitment of Kieran Foran and Sam Verrills delivering much needed experience in two of the most important positions on the park. Verrills is a quality dummy half who rarely gets the credit he deserves. He is also due for a change of luck on the injury front, and if he gets that he is a rep quality No 9 in the making. Meanwhile, Foran has managed 49 games in the past two seasons, missing just two, so he is well and truly back on track after a horrendous injury run.

THE BAD

It’s time for the real David Fifita to stand up. When you get paid a $1m-a-season it comes with some responsibility, and you’ve got to at least look like you want to be out there giving it your all. Hopefully the arrival of Foran also gets Fifita better ball and more involvement. All this talk about Fifita’s future and the interest coming from Canberra might also help with his confidence. Whatever eventuates on that front, he just owes the Titans a big 2023.

Kieran Foran adds much-needed experience to the Titans spine. Picture: Titans Digital

THE UNKNOWN

It will be interesting to see who Holbrook partners Foran with in the halves, with AJ Brimson tipped to edge out youngsters Toby Sexton and Tanah Boyd, with Jayden Campbell at fullback.

While there is no question young Campbell is a star on the rise, there is also no denying Brimson is a better fullback than he is a five-eighth. So would the Titans be better off partnering Sexton or Boyd with Foran in the halves at this point, and putting the focus on developing their playmaking skills? It’s a high stakes question that Holbrook needs to get right.

TAB PREMIERSHIP ODDS: $41

Originally published as Queensland NRL power rankings: One man will make or break Broncos’ season; Cowboys still No. 1