The Mole: 'Question marks' hanging over Kevin Walters as Broncos look to reverse 'disaster'
The Broncos have the speed and fire power to blast through the 2024 season - but there are two massive question marks hanging over the club.
The first is the elephant in the dressing room - how they lost the unlosable grand final in the final 20 minutes last season, crumbling to a late Penrith onslaught.
And the second is how they will fare having lost four of their most consistent players - Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Keenan Palasia (Titans), Tom Flegler (Dolphins) and Kurt Capewell (Warriors).
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The club has brought just one established player in to boost their ranks - fringe first grader Fletcher Baker (Roosters).
Brisbane will have to move past the loss of key players and the grand final defeat. Getty
Coach Kevvie Walters looks set to move the brilliant Selwyn Cobbo from wing to centre to fill the big shoes of Farnworth - one of the NRL's best centres in recent seasons.
While Cobbo will get first crack at the spot, highly-regarded Deine Mariner is likely to get a go in the centres at some stage of the season.
The Broncos have some fine up-and-comers and Walters will be looking for them to step up to fill the spots vacated by the four departees - and that could be a gamble.
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The consistent Capewell is a big loss but the Broncos have huge raps on youngster Brendan Piakura and the 21-year-old looks to have the back-row spot covered.
Three players will fight it out for the two wing spots - Jesse Arthars, Mariner and veteran Corey Oates.
Oates has done the job for many years but has the two youngsters nipping at his heels.
Overall, the squad has 'top four' written all over it - but again it all comes down to how they react to the grand final disaster and whether they can get their heads over that devastating defeat.
2024 gains: Fletcher Baker (Roosters), Jaiyden Hunt (Dragons)
2024 losses: Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Keenan Palasia (Titans), Tom Flegler (Dolphins), Kurt Capewell (Warriors).
BRONCOS' BEST 17
1. Reece Walsh 2. Deine Mariner 3. Selwyn Cobbo 4. Kotoni Staggs 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Payne Haas 9. Billy Walters 10. Corey Jensen 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Xavier Willison 17. Fletcher Baker
