Round 1 Predicted Teams: Broncos

As part of a series profiling the expected Round 1 sides for all 17 NRL clubs in 2024, it’s time to see how Brisbane are tracking after replacing Kevin Walters with Michael Maguire.

Michael Maguire has shown he can be a very good coach when he has a talented roster at his disposal.

He enjoyed success when at the helm of St Helens, South Sydney, New Zealand and NSW but struggled when he was at Wests Tigers with a roster mostly devoid of top-line talent.

Maguire has been brought in at Brisbane to get their star-studded squad firing after they went backwards big time last year under Kevin Walters following their 2023 grand final heartbreak.

One star Bronco who won’t be on deck when they start the season is Ezra Mam, who has been banned for nine games after being found guilty of driving offences and testing positive to cocaine following his head-on crash in October.

Maguire has recruited Ben Hunt to offset Mam’s absence and has the nucleus of last year’s team at his disposal so anything short of a top-four finish will be considered an under-achievement for the NRL powerhouse.

Here’s how their team is shaping up for Round 1.

Who’s new?

The Broncos will slot Hunt in at five-eighth with Mam unavailable and the veteran halfback will be forced into a secondary playmaker role alongside Adam Reynolds.

For Round 1 it may not be as straightforward as that with Reynolds suffering a neck injury at training last week and undergoing minor surgery. He is likely to be out of action from pre-season training for a month and is in doubt for their season opener against the Roosters on March 6.

Hunt could end up at hooker later in the season when Mam returns despite resisting all attempts to shift there at club level at the Dragons even though he has been successful in the role for Queensland and Australia.

Brisbane’s salary cap is tight given the galaxy of stars already under contract so their only other signing with NRL experience is utility back Hayze Perham, who will provide cover out wide and at fullback if Reece Walsh is sidelined.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Adam Reynolds of the Broncos is injured during the round nine NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium, on May 03, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Adam Reynolds. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Who’s gone?

Kobe Hetherington had been agitating for an early release but he is now settled at Red Hill.

Back-up fullback Tristan Sailor has jetted off to St Helens while veteran wingers Corey Oates and Jordan Pereira have retired.

Key spots to unlock?

Hooker and five-eighth are key decisions for Maguire.

If Hunt works well in tandem with Reynolds in the halves, does Mam become a bench utility when he returns from suspension?

Of does he switch Hunt to dummy-half with Billy Walters losing his starting spot?

Blake Mozer is considered Brisbane’s long-term hooker so he will also be expecting to make the No.9 jersey his own in 2025.

Where to play Selwyn Cobbo is another dilemma for Maguire.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 12: Selwyn Cobbo of the Broncos dives over to score a try during the round six NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium, on April 12, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia.

(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Cobbo was hot and cold at centre last season and then missed several weeks due to an off-field matter.

Young gun Deine Mariner has been a standout at centre coming through the junior representative ranks so he could get the nod, sending Cobbo back out to the wing.

The Broncos are likely going to have to choose between re-signing Cobbo and fellow representative centre Kotoni Staggs due to their salary cap squeeze.