Broncos Roster, Signings and Rumours Discussion 2026

Just an idea.

I am pretty sure Cam McInnes is off contract next year. He was picked in Madges Blues side.

Patty and X at Prop. Cam McInnes at Lock.

Just until we can find a replacement for X off the bench.

However, this could be solved if, Big Ben, Aublix or Talty or someone from development, produce a solid 2026 year. 100+ metres and 95% TE off the bench. Obviously, we will have CJ who can produce good numbers, but he needs an impact partner to make the rotation work, where our starters can get a rest.

Another option could be Sam McIntyre from the Cowboys. He is solid, and last year and 2024 played lock, prop and a bit of centre.
Im not super keen on more undersized middles.

Whenever Kobe and/or Talty were on Patty was doing the kick off returns... so he was basically doing prop runs and then also the lock ball playing.

Would be great to find another big middle... I think at the moment we'd be heading into 2027 with X and Jensen as big body props. BTK and Semu are also there, but not exactly jumping out.

Tawha is the size of a 2nd rower, but has the aggression to play middle.

Riki is another one that I've speculated, but hard to move the only edge we have that can consistently play 80mins

Adding another big middle like MoFo, Kerr, Flegs, etc. is where I'd be looking... not saying I want those guys, but someone that is bigger whilst also being mobile.

There's a few out there and we dont need a superstar there considering we have Patty and Willison was looking like he's ready to make the jump.

We could take a look at someone like Toby Rudolf. He's a bit up and down with form, but he gives his all. He played at Redcliffe in juniors so Qld isnt foreign to him.
 
It’s either a really good thing where we bring in a bunch of quality forwards as replacements or we bring in Fletcher bakers and our questionable forward back this year loses having the best forward in the game
 
Im not super keen on more undersized middles.

Whenever Kobe and/or Talty were on Patty was doing the kick off returns... so he was basically doing prop runs and then also the lock ball playing.

Would be great to find another big middle... I think at the moment we'd be heading into 2027 with X and Jensen as big body props. BTK and Semu are also there, but not exactly jumping out.

Tawha is the size of a 2nd rower, but has the aggression to play middle.

Riki is another one that I've speculated, but hard to move the only edge we have that can consistently play 80mins

Adding another big middle like MoFo, Kerr, Flegs, etc. is where I'd be looking... not saying I want those guys, but someone that is bigger whilst also being mobile.

There's a few out there and we dont need a superstar there considering we have Patty and Willison was looking like he's ready to make the jump.

We could take a look at someone like Toby Rudolf. He's a bit up and down with form, but he gives his all. He played at Redcliffe in juniors so Qld isnt foreign to him.
You'd still have CJ on the bench, as well as possibly BTK, plenty of size in development. My angle is that we also need someone that is able to play lock, especially if Patty is to move to prop, or is on Origin duties.

Patty is the only guy who has shown he is a link man in the middle. Smoothy was too (Albeit small, immense vs Penrith when Patty was out mind you), but he gone.

The best on the market for next year is Cam or Sam. And Sam Mcintyre is the same size as CJ. I can understand from your point that Cam would be smaller though and not really what we want, IF one of our development big boppers can't produce.
 
Agreed. Tupou Francis is the guy but he isn't going to be that guy in the next year or two and potentially longer. Horne is not of the elk of a Francis.

Signings needed to boost the middle and edge forward regions. We have the money to spend so lets get some blokes in...

@1910 Any reason for the Francis omission in the emerging squad?
Francis is only 17, his time will come next year
 
nrl_hero_260210_gt_0021.jpg


Billy Walters confirmed as captain.

*Runs and hides while laughing maniacally*
Nepotism !
He went to Vegas as the Broncos/ NRL rep pre the 1st Vegas games too .
Photogenic ?
 
You'd still have CJ on the bench, as well as possibly BTK, plenty of size in development. My angle is that we also need someone that is able to play lock, especially if Patty is to move to prop, or is on Origin duties.

Patty is the only guy who has shown he is a link man in the middle. Smoothy was too (Albeit small, immense vs Penrith when Patty was out mind you), but he gone.

The best on the market for next year is Cam or Sam. And Sam Mcintyre is the same size as CJ. I can understand from your point that Cam would be smaller though and not really what we want, IF one of our development big boppers can't produce.
I think it's almost a make or break year for BTK this year... broncos need to see if he can hang in the middle in this 6 again world.

We know that Willison can and Jensen can but he's getting older. A lot of the other guys in the squad are smaller (Talty, Tawha, Jhunt)... and there's other young guys to watch as well (Semu, Francis, Beni, Horne, etc.)

I think if we're looking for a lock then the best place to start is potentially hooker and halfback.

A lot of the smaller locks nowadays started out as hookers, halfbacks or somewhere in the spine (see below), but couldn't cut it at the position. Their coaches realised they were robust enough and strong enough to hold their own in the middle and if they can do that then suddenly you have a middle that at some point played in the spine.

I look at guys within our existing squad who might be able to play lock.

- Bhunt plays 15mins or so at lock for Qld, but unlikely to be appropriate for a full 20+ season
- Paix former halfback turned hooker... his defence improved over last year and was playing 80mins at times. He also stayed at broncos despite all signs from Kevvie telling him to leave, so potentially we can keep him at a lower cost
- Billy ... his defence is rock solid in the middle and is probably our best defender at hooker. Former halfback/five eight so to me would be a great substitute for Patty.
- Bukowski... I haven't seen much of him, but I thought there was talk about him playing some lock maybe in Meninga... if that's the case then there's a chance he could double as a hooker and lock... something that would come in handy if Mozer kicks on as it fits both in the team.


Locks with former lives as a spine player ... I've most likely missed a ton as well

McInnes (hooker)
McIntyre (hooker)
BSmith (hooker)
Erin Clarke (hooker)
Hayward (half)
Smoothy (hooker)
Connor Watson (half/five eight/fullback)
Plath (five-eight)
Donoghoe (five eight)
Dylan Walker (five eight / centre)
Kurt Mann (five eight/fullback/centre)
Chris Randall (hooker)
Kobe (hooker)
Ray Stone (hooker)
Crossland (halfback)
Salmon (five eight)
Siliva Havili (hooker)
Hame Sele (hooker?)
 
I think it's almost a make or break year for BTK this year... broncos need to see if he can hang in the middle in this 6 again world.

We know that Willison can and Jensen can but he's getting older. A lot of the other guys in the squad are smaller (Talty, Tawha, Jhunt)... and there's other young guys to watch as well (Semu, Francis, Beni, Horne, etc.)

I think if we're looking for a lock then the best place to start is potentially hooker and halfback.

A lot of the smaller locks nowadays started out as hookers, halfbacks or somewhere in the spine (see below), but couldn't cut it at the position. Their coaches realised they were robust enough and strong enough to hold their own in the middle and if they can do that then suddenly you have a middle that at some point played in the spine.

I look at guys within our existing squad who might be able to play lock.

- Bhunt plays 15mins or so at lock for Qld, but unlikely to be appropriate for a full 20+ season
- Paix former halfback turned hooker... his defence improved over last year and was playing 80mins at times. He also stayed at broncos despite all signs from Kevvie telling him to leave, so potentially we can keep him at a lower cost
- Billy ... his defence is rock solid in the middle and is probably our best defender at hooker. Former halfback/five eight so to me would be a great substitute for Patty.
- Bukowski... I haven't seen much of him, but I thought there was talk about him playing some lock maybe in Meninga... if that's the case then there's a chance he could double as a hooker and lock... something that would come in handy if Mozer kicks on as it fits both in the team.


Locks with former lives as a spine player ... I've most likely missed a ton as well

McInnes (hooker)
McIntyre (hooker)
BSmith (hooker)
Erin Clarke (hooker)
Hayward (half)
Smoothy (hooker)
Connor Watson (half/five eight/fullback)
Plath (five-eight)
Donoghoe (five eight)
Dylan Walker (five eight / centre)
Kurt Mann (five eight/fullback/centre)
Chris Randall (hooker)
Kobe (hooker)
Ray Stone (hooker)
Crossland (halfback)
Salmon (five eight)
Siliva Havili (hooker)
Hame Sele (hooker?)

I think Billy to lock rotation makes a lot of sense but he isn’t back until late in the year.

I really hope we can somehow get Smoothy back, he’s way too good to be lost to the NRL.
 
He's excelled at lock thus far, but his body's still a got a lot of growing to do and he could end up anywhere in the pack. Definitely would like him to continue at lock though, it's where we need the depth.

I thought so. Happy for him to play lock considering we have the luxury of Pat being very effective at prop as well.
 
We’re the Premiers and de facto favourites for this year. We have money to spend and club management isn’t insane. We’re going to get a good prop, it’s just a question of how good.
Exactly.
I also think we shouldn’t sleep on BTK (could be anything IF he can stay fit) and Talty. Really liked what I saw from him last year. Neither are Haas, but both can be right for the TEAM.
 
Unless a prop is breaking their contract to come to us we might need to have a chat to some English Forwards to see if they have any interest in coming to Brisbane. There isn't much available for 2027.
Ata Mariota could help the middle forward rotation and Michael Molo has some size but there's not much quality there.

Minchella and Bachelor from Hull KR, Matty Lees from St Helens if we want ready made players. Junior Nsemba or Harvey Wilson if we want potential.
 
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