2024 review: Brisbane Broncos

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Andrew Jackson assess a year in which Brisbane went from losing Grand Finalists to also-rans in a flash.

They say nothing in life is guaranteed and, in the case of making grand finals, never to take it for granted - just as the Brisbane Broncos and, specifically, Kevin Walters.

He was a few minutes away from being a premiership-winning coach, from lifting the Provans Summons Trophy. 

And sure, even if that happened what unfolded this season would have been a disappointment. But it would have surely granted him even a little bit more leeway. 

Perhaps enough, in the end, to save him his job. Instead, Walters was dismissed after Brisbane failed to make the finals, finishing in 12th position.

Adam Reynolds and Reece Walsh were both sidelined for almost half of the season due to injury while Payne Haas also had his setbacks and was sorely missed in the games he didn't play.

It just wasn't meant to be for the Broncos, proving just how hard it is to sustain success in the modern NRL and, with that in mind, also underlining just how impressive Penrith's four straight premierships are. 

Turning Point

You have to go to Round 9 and that 40-12 loss to the Roosters.

Before that game the Broncos were fifth and level on wins with the Panthers, having claimed three games in a row.

They were right in that game against the Roosters too, even after Reynolds went off injured, getting back to 18-all before the Tricolours ran in four unanswered tries to seal the victory.

It was a sombre Suncorp Stadium that night, with it later confirmed that Reynolds had ruptured his biceps and would be sidelined for an extended period.

The Broncos rallied to win their next two games but then collapsed against the Titans to lose 36-34 before the bye, dropping five more in a row to well and truly tumble down the ladder without Reynolds.

When Reynolds did return against the Knights in Round 20, a 30-14 win on the road renewed optimism the Broncos could go on a late-season run to sneak into the finals. 

But then came another turning point as Brisbane suffered back-to-back heavy losses to the Bulldogs and Titans, falling 41-16 and 46-18 in proof that Reynolds alone could not save them.

What worked?

Not much, but if there was one clear game plan that worked for the Broncos it was getting early ball to their explosive outside backs.

Mariner, Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo all finished inside the top 20 centres for tackle busts in the NRL.

Obviously Cobbo and Mariner didn't spend all of 2024 in the centres but whichever position they were playing, getting their hands on the ball in space was a recipe for success.

The only problem was that all three struggled at various points in defence, so you had to take the good with the bad, but any time they got the ball there was always a chance they could create something out of nothing.

What didn't work?

A lot, and while injuries to key players obviously crippled Brisbane's season, the numbers also speak to a young team that lacked discipline and defensive resolve. 

The Broncos averaged the second-most penalties conceded at 4.9 and were awarded 4.3, which was the least in the league - speaking to just how much of an issue discipline was. 

They also conceded the most metres (1525) and made the third-fewest (1352), which is hardly a recipe for success given how important field position is to dominating games. 

Then you add in the fact they ranked second-worst in completion rate (77.8 per cent) and worst in handling errors per game (9.8). 

This may seem like a lot of numbers being spat out at you and it is, but it is all to illustrate how there wasn't one single area that the Broncos struggled in - it was a multitude of problems which, when combined, led to such a steep fall-off from last year's heights.

Oddly enough, Brisbane actually ranked fifth best when it came to missed tackles, but maybe that is because at times they weren't even making tackles, letting players through gaping holes to score untouched. 
By the end of the year it was clear this was a team that was ready for the season to be over, conceding 38 points per game in the final four rounds.

2024 week-by-week

Best Players

It was another stellar campaign from captain Patrick Carrigan, who took home player of the year honours at Brisbane's awards night after another dependable season which saw him average 138 metres and 32.1 tackles per game.

Corey Jensen also deserves a shout-out because while he may not be a name many people go to when they think of the Broncos, he was the only Brisbane player to suit up in all 25 games and averaged career-high numbers across the board (112 meters, 30.8 tackles).

On the flashier side of the spectrum, Deine Marine impressed in his first full season in the NRL.

While he had a few mistakes in his game, which is to be expected of a player with his lack of experience, Mariner's speed made him a weapon on the outside and produced plenty of highlights in an otherwise down year for the club.

Xavier Willison was another player who was a touch raw entering this year but really started to emerge as a key piece in the forward pack.

He only averaged 37 minutes but that was already well up from the 18 minutes he saw the season prior and there was no drop-off in efficiency from Willison, who averaged 96 metres.

Rookies

Blake Mozer showed flashes deputizing at hooker and could form a nice tandem with Billy Walters given he likely isn't ready just yet to take on more of a workload in defence.

Meanwhile, Ben Te Kura is another one who still has plenty of growth left in him - which is a scary prospect given he is already 205 centimetres and 122 kilograms at 20 years old.

Now primarily that was growth in terms of his application in games as opposed to anything physical, because the frame he already has is enough to make him a handful to bring down.

At this stage he is suited to short spurts off the bench, as was the case in 2024, averaging 21 minutes in three appearances.
He didn't play this year and may not be ready next season either but given Reynolds is getting on in age, Coby Black is another one to keep an eye on in Queensland Cup.

2024 player record

Season snapshot

Coaches: Kevin Walters
Captains: Adam Reynolds (13), Patrick Carrigan (9), Kotoni Staggs (2)

Biggest home crowd: 46,224 (vs. Dolphins in round 6)
Average home crowd: 39,873

Top pointscorer: Reece Walsh (102)
Top tryscorer: Deine Mariner (17)

Club awards

Paul Morgan Medal - Player of the Year - Pat Carrigan
Cyril Connell Award - Rookie of the Year - Blake Mozer
Kevin Walters Award - Most Consistent - Corey Jensen
Allan Langer Award - Best Back - Kotoni Staggs
Shane Webcke Award - Best Forward - Pat Carrigan
Wally Lewis Award - Play of the Year - Jesse Arthars (Round 5 Try v Storm)
Gary Balkin Award - Players' Player - Pat Carrigan

Potential 2025 team

based on current signings at the time of writing

1. Reece Walsh
2. Jesse Arthars
3. Deine Mariner
4. Kotoni Staggs
5. Selwyn Cobbo
6. Ezra Mam
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Xavier Willison
9. Billy Walters
10. Payne Haas
11. Brendan Piakura
12. Jordan Riki
13. Patrick Carrigan

14. Blake Mozer
15. Corey Jensen
16. Kobe Hetherington
17. Ben Te Kura