For the upcoming season I plan to do a season preview for every team on The Roar ,I thought best way to get a great understanding of each teams prospects is from the fans that themselves. Happy to accept multiple answers from fans to get a range of perspectives.
Sounds awesome. Wish you luck, the comments are always brutal on roar. Nonetheless this sort of effort to have a great review is commendable. Sure many people would love for you to post a link once it’s out
From being up 16 points in the Grand Final in 2023 to finishing 12th in 2024 and having your coach was sacked. My question is what on earth happened in the space of a year and was Kevin Walters hard done by being let go?
Many things. Obviously we have a mentally fragile group who didn’t handle that loss well. I think in that back half of the year we really didn’t play traditionally premiership winning football, however we defended like one and that was key. However key systems and platforms were missing in games we were just so much bigger, stronger, faster, more confident, more complete than every other team. 2024 we had bad habits, a shortened preseason, drama galore, injuries and a bad attitude. Additionally there seemed to just be a very poor standard set everywhere within the joint. Obviously a very toxic nature in the club, when they turn it TURNS.
Michael Maguire is now in charge does his style of coaching provide something the Broncos need and is it weird that NSW coach from last year now coach of Queensland biggest club?
Didn’t Craig Bellamy coach NSW? He has been pushed as being a broncos coach for an eternity. His coaching performance was QLD like. Anyone who can make billy look silly, who looked untouchable the first 2 series, and win a series decider at Suncorp with that traditionally pea hearted lot south of the border, you have earned the right to coach the Brisbane Broncos, add a premiership to that and you can most definitely coach my club.
What is the plan for Ben Hunt long term, he will play in the halves until Ezra Mam returns but he will join a plethora of hookers it unsure who will get the dummy half role?
Well 6 for the foreseeable future. Likely hooker upon Mams return but he could be to good to move. Halfback at the end of Reyno’s career into his own retirement. Absolutely no question if he moves from 6 that he is the starting dummy half. For now Paix seems likely at 14 but Mozer needs to be in the team once he gets fit and going. Unclear as to when that will be if at all this year.
Do you feel in attack Brisbane are too reliant on Reece Walsh and at times it can be a bit predictable to shut down with his sweeping plays?
Maybe last year cause Mam was a dear in headlights without Reynolds (as all young halves who rely on there running game would be) and Walsh had it all on his shoulders. But in 2023 there was just to many threats. We all know what’s coming, but you got to stop it. Teams had to put him on the sideline to stop him. With Reyno, Hunt and Mozer and Ezra to add to the mix he is just gonna be a decoy all day every day. Gonna be very hard to stop. Strip his amount of touches right back and they won’t have a clue what hit them. I think at times last year for a fullback from time to time he controlled some sets quite well for his age and his experience with plenty of touches. Every now and then I would give walshy a set and say go nuts but to begin with just nice dimples and structured. Run hard, tackle hard and put walshy in to space. Whether he gets it or not doesn’t really matter it will be a nightmare for the opposition.
Looking at your predicted bench looks like a lot of unproven players are you confident the team won't go forward won't dramatically fall off once Patrick Carrigan and Payne Haas leave the field?
I couldn’t disagree more if I tried. Name me a better bench and I’ll wait. Walters, Jensen, Willison and one of BTK/Piakura/Gosiewski. Jensen so underrated and so good, Willison one of the best young props in the game, brings mobility, size and is old enough that he isn’t dense in the head and riddled with errors.
Who is a player's that is due to have a breakout season and what rookie can debut which can make an impact?
Not to many youngsters in our team. Everyone needs to return to form which is more so where we are focused on in terms fo improvement. Willison to get even better, Kobe renaissance and BTK and Mozer (if he can get on the field for long enough) to really break out and make an impact. BTK nearly the best player all pre-season imo, really impressive. Has earned a bench spot imo but sadly for him Willison and Jensen have earned the right to be in that side and we really do need second row cover in this side so the 17 jersey isn’t necessarily his to be had.
Who is best addition to the squad and who is the biggest loss to the squad?
Hunt obviously. Sailor biggest loss especially with Perhams recent injury. Very handy bloke to have cover Reece. Lot of pressure on Latrell to do well when he has to do that role some time this season.
What is the biggest weakness in the team heading into the season? Can you it improving?
Second Row still. Riki hasn’t performed that highly, Piakura is very over albeit the potential is there. Gosiewski and Hunt have improved over the offseason from what we have seen but they are merely just now reliable first graders as depth (for Gosiewski case seemingly starting) which is handy. However in our actual 17 Second Row.
How is the squad depth do you feel comfortable the team can cover to an injury to a key player?
I guess after your Reggie’s team smashes a very handy titans side you say yes. Fullback looks very skinny. There’s definitely quality options at back up almost everywhere it’s just how deep they go. A lot of halves and hookers in the squad which means you run a bit short in the forwards and backs. Big shortcoming from us last year.
What is the strongest 17?
1. Reece Walsh
2. Selwyn Cobbo
3. Kotoni Staggs
4. Deine Mariner
5. Jesse Arthars
6. Ezra Mam
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Pat Carrigan
9. Ben Hunt
10. Payne Haas
11. Jordan Riki
12. Brendan Piakura
13. Kobe Hetherington
14. Blake Mozer
15. Corey Jensen
16. Xavier Willison
17. Ben Te Kura/ Jack Gosiewski (tactically)
What will be considered a pass for this year and what will be considered as a failure for 2025 and lastly what is your prediction for this year ?
Top 4 is the only pass mark. The team should be wanting to win it. Melbourne is very strong but I think Brisbane is the next strongest. Penrith will fall off just enough to fall slightly below those 2. Sharks, Dogs and Manly another drop below Penrith. It’s between them. Melbourne vs Brisbane Grand Final. Can’t say at this stage you can back against Melbourne winning the comp though.
