The Broncos come into 2025 under the tutelage of Michael Maguire — and considering what Brisbane may have been missing was some steel, he could be the perfect man for the job.
Let’s remember, this is a star-stacked team that came within a freakish Nathan Cleary takeover of winning a grand final right in the middle of the Penrith Panthers dynasty; they have the players to get the job done. Perhaps what evaded them in 2023 was grit, determination, and just some hard rugby league.
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Madge has always been a coach that injects real resilience and edge to his teams. That, combined with the fluid and energised attack that young guns like Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo, Jordan Riki, and Kotoni Staggs (injured for the time being) bring, puts Brisbane’s biggest team right back in their premiership window and as one of the best contenders to dethrone the Panthers.
There is only one real concern for the Broncos — beyond them not taking to Madge’s teachings — and that’s the Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt pivot. Both are incredible players, but there’s 68 years between them and an injury or two may derail whatever could be building in Red Hill before it’s even begun.
(Worth remembering, Ezra Mam is still to return after his nine-match suspension for his drug-driving charges.)
Round 1 side: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Deine Mariner 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington Bench: 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Xavier Willison 17. Brendan Piakura
Coach: Michael Maguire (first year)
Biggest loss: Corey Oates Biggest gain: Ben Hunt
First five: Roosters (A), Raiders (A), Cowboys (H), Dolphins (A), Tigers (H)
Last year’s finish: 12th
Predicted 2025 finish: 4th
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TopSport odds: Premiers: $8, Top 4: $2, Final 8: $1.28, Most Losses: $61
