2016 NRL Preview - Brisbane Broncos

The aura is well and truly back at Red Hill.

There were no guarantees the good old days would be recaptured when Wayne Bennett returned to Red Hill in 2015. His presence however certainly marked the beginning of the revival.

Brisbane were the ladder leaders for the majority of last season and only the rampaging Sydney Roosters jumped them in the later rounds. Come finals time the Broncos eliminated the Roosters in the preliminary finals to set up an epic grand final encounter with the North Queensland Cowboys.

This season opposing teams will be taking note of their Broncos matchups knowing it will feature top competition. Fans from all across Australia and New Zealand will be waiting in anticipation for when the Broncos come to town.

2015 Dally M centre of the year James Roberts left the Gold Coast Titans and signed with Brisbane for below market value, due to the lure of winning a grand final. New Zealand test halfback Kodi Nikorima signed a one year extension despite having two superstar halves keeping him on the Broncos bench.

There appears to be another special season ahead.

That said, the draw has thrown up a bevy of tough matches for the Broncos. Throughout the season they will play two games against the Cowboys, Roosters, New Zealand Warriors, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Canterbury Bulldogs.

Clean sweeping the origin period will be staggeringly harder this season as they face the Warriors, Canberra Raiders, Bulldogs, Melbourne Storm and Souths between rounds 13-19.

Josh McGuire will return to the starting 13 after his 2015 season was cut short due to injury. He made his State of Origin debut before his season was ended prematurely, and his presence will further bolster the Brisbane pack, likely sending Matt Gillett to the bench.

WHY THEY'LL WIN IT
The playing roster has become even better over the offseason. No disrespect to Justin Hodges, his retirement left a gaping hole at centre which Dale Copley was earmarked to fill, but the addition of Roberts entering his prime makes the entire backline more potent.

The heartache and emotions those players felt after one of the greatest grand finals in history should act as an intense motivator and as a fantastic teaching tool for this young squad. All things considered, the Broncos should be carrying a win or bust mentality.

WHY THEY WON'T
Any grand final winning side will tell you a team needs some luck to become the premiers. Brisbane certainly earned the luck they received to qualify for the grand final - they were one of the hardest working and fittest teams in the competition, however there were minimal injuries amongst the squad which kept the important 1, 6, 7 and 9 spine together.

The Broncos are also down one assistant coach as Kevin Walters took up the head coaching position with the Queensland Maroons. He too came with Bennett in 2015 and being the attack coach Walters heavily influenced the makings of the Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford combination.

Last year the Origin period brought the Broncos unprecedented success, as an eight game winning streak was built. If this were to be replicated in 2016, it would be astounding.

KEY PLAYER/S

Anthony Milford
Expectations for Milford will only increase based on what he displayed last season. He was arguably Brisbane's best player in the grand final and Milford's ability to strike a lethal combination with Hunt so early on in his switch from fullback to five-eight will have many thinking he can be better in 2016.

Ben Hunt
Hunt is the traffic controller for this team. He's once again got to be the rock because without him Milford's ability to break the line is nullified. Until Milford turns into a reliable long distance kicking option Hunt must be playing well for Brisbane to be at their best.

Adam Blair
Last season started with the front rower being labelled "Teddy Blair" by the Courier Mail after he recorded one hit up in a match against the Cronulla Sharks. Fast forward to the end of the season and many thought Blair was the best front rower in the comp as he recaptured the career best form which went missing when Blair left the Storm. There's no question his intangible qualities will be required for another big Broncos season.

ROOKIE TO WATCH

Carlin Anderson
Brisbane won't want to change too much from the side that came within one win of grand final glory, let alone bring in a rookie, but Anderson may get an opportunity. Lachlan Maranta is expected to be out for 10-12 weeks due to injury and it may mean his vacant wing position is to be filled by Anderson. He is named to play at the Auckland Nines and many from his state team the Ipswich Jets think he's got a bright future ahead in the NRL.

PLAYER MOVEMENT IN
James Roberts (Titans)
Carlin Anderson (Ipswich - ISC)
Caleb Timu (Mormon mission)
Salesi Funaki (Wests Tigers)
Sam Scarlett (Panthers)

PLAYER MOVEMENT OUT
Justin Hodges, David Stagg (retired)
Dale Copley, Jayden Nikorima (Roosters)
Ashley Taylor (Titans)
Matt Parcell (Sea Eagles)
Jordan Drew (Sharks)
Todd Lowrie (Knights)
Mitchell Dodds (Warrington - ESL)
Daniel Vidot (Salford - ESL)
Mitch Garbutt (Leeds - ESL)

BEST SEVENTEEN
1. Darius Boyd
2. Corey Oates
3. Jack Reed
4. James Roberts
5. Lachlan Maranta
6. Anthony Milford
7. Ben Hunt
8. Josh McGuire
9. Andrew McCullough
10. Adam Blair
11. Alex Glenn
12. Sam Thaiday
13. Corey Parker

14. Matt Gillett
15. Joe Ofehengaue
16. Jarrod Wallace
17. Kodi Nikorima