Broncos 2023 preview: Expect troughs and peaks alike for Brisbane youngsters

At Red Hill, the great Brisbane Broncos rebuild rolls on. The return of Reece Walsh and a re-up for Kevin Walters both mark the next stage of the recovery for the titanic NRL club struggling to find its place in the new 2020s era, but will it be enough to make the finals?

The end of last season was a heartbreaker for the Broncos players and fans alike, with Kevvie’s outfit getting pipped at the post by the Raiders right at the death to miss out on postseason footy.

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At the very least though, it gives the squad something to build on again.

There’s every chance they go one further this time too. Prodigal son Reece Walsh, who split from the club amid COVID-19 protocols to find playing time with the New Zealand Warriors, is back in maroon and ready to light up Suncorp Stadium. Ezra Mam continues to look better and better beside Adam Reynolds, and the young list has another year of experience under the belts in the big leagues.

Hope is the keyword for the Broncos. After a brutal wooden spoon season in 2020, they climbed to 14th, then nearly back to finals. One step further can be the bellwether that confirms the rebuild is well on its way.

Last year’s finish: 9th, 13 wins and 11 losses

Last ten NRL campaigns: 9th, 14th, Spoon, 8th (Qualifying), 5th (Qualifying), 3rd (Prelim), 5th (Semi), 2nd (Runners Up), 8th (Qualifying), 12th

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Predicted Round 1 lineup

1. Reece Walsh
2. Corey Oates
3. Kotoni Staggs
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Selwyn Cobbo
6. Ezra Mam
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Tom Flegler
9. Billy Walters
10. Payne Haas
11. Kurt Capewell
12. Jordan Riki
13. Pat Carrigan
14. Kobe Hetherington
15. Cory Paix
16. Keenan Palasia
17. Corey Jensen

Coach: Kevin Walters

Biggest losses: Tesi Niu, Te Maire Martin Biggest gains: Reece Walsh, Martin Taupau

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How 2023 is looking for Brisbane

The Broncos will be looking to their number one jumper this year to make a difference. Reece Walsh has been away from the Brisbane system for some time but considering he’s done it all at Red Hill before he should slot into the fold quite easily.

If he can, expect Walters’ squad to come out roaring after the sting of 9th last season.

That said, it’s still a young squad and there’s no doubt about that. Walsh is being heralded as a missing piece to the greater whole but he’s still just 20 years old, and other major cogs like Ezra Mam (20), Herbie Farnworth (23), Selwyn Cobbo (20), Pat Carrigan (25), Kotoni Staggs (24), and even Payne Haas (23) are all very young.

The squad is full of future superstars that can all break games open on their day, but—like we often saw last season—it’s not going to happen every week. Reynolds is there to put them on the right track, but like with any young team, there will be dips as well as peaks.

For the Broncos, let’s just hope there are a few more peaks this year. Adding a starlet fullback should be enough to take them one spot higher on the ladder, but don’t be surprised if they slide back slightly instead.

Predicted 2023 finish: 8th

First five: Panthers (A), Cowboys (H), Dragons (H), Dolphins (A), Tigers (H)

TopSport odds: Premiers $21, Make Top 4: $4, Make Final 8: $1.72, Miss The Top 8: $2.05

Pass mark: Make finals after narrowly missing out last year.

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