2026 preview: Brisbane Broncos

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Will the Broncos go back-to-back for the first time in almost thirty years?

Brisbane's 2025 campaign was one filled with determination, grit and defiance. They were written off more times than one could count across the season, and many thought they weren't the real deal. But when push came to shove, they fought till the dying minutes and showed something we haven't seen from the Broncos in a long time.

2025 really laid all the cards on the table for the premiers, from embarrassing losses and big wins, to last minute ones, which saw them make their way to fourth place by the end of Round 27. From there, they won every game in their finals campaign. Despite injured players and hard match-ups, Brisbane dug deep and found a spark to push them all the way to their first premiership since 2006.

Brisbane start their 2026 season at home, taking on the Panthers and Eels, which are both challenging matchups. But if 2025 is anything to go off, they really can do the impossible. They then head down south to take on their archnemesis the Storm, but can you really keep that title after the 2025 Grand Final?

The next three weeks sees a triple head of QLD derbies: Dolphins at home, Titans away from home and the Cowboys back at home. Brisbane then play away from home for the majority of the next month, before taking on the Warriors for Magic Round and then getting their first bye of the season during Round 12.

The Broncos then get a nice two months of matchups-mostly playing from home against the Dragons, Titans, Roosters and Sharks, spotted with their two remaining byes. Round 20 sees the Broncos take on the Panthers away from home, before the remaining QLD derbies against the Dolphins and Cowboys.

The run home for Brisbane is a slight challenge, taking on the Bulldogs and Raiders away from home, along with the Storm at the cauldron.

Overall, Brisbane have a challenging draw, though some things ease the pain. They play premiership "heavy weights" like the Storm, Roosters, Bulldogs and Panthers twice, but they are at home 12/24 times (excluding Magic Round and Dolphins home game).

Why They'll Win It

2025 proved that the Broncos roster is full of talent, which can get the job done. It also proved that the team has the ability to dig deep in times where almost all hope is lost. If they carry that mentality into 2026, I think they'll be unstoppable. After today's news regarding Payne Haas, there'll be added incentive to send the big prop out a winner, too.

Also, it's the Year of The Horse, SOOOOO.

Why They Won't

We saw it in the first half of 2025-sometimes the Broncos lapse and drop out of touch for what they are fighting for. Though, it seemed their mindset really did shift in the back half of the 2025 season.

The development of younger players in the spine as the senior players move towards the end of their careers is also a challenge for the Broncos, but I think they are well prepared to make the eventual transition.

2026 fixtures

Key Players

Reigning Clive Churchhill medalist, Reece Walsh, stepped up during the 2025 Grand Final when the Brisbane side were without Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt, fighting each minute to secure the premiership.

Walsh sometimes can be considered a rocks and diamonds player, but deep down he has the ability to turn games around and make something out of nothing when it counts. As a younger spine player in the Broncos, he is a weapon for years to come.

Rookie

(So, RIP Coby Black you will be missed dearly. Not dead, just signed with a rival team.)

Joining the Broncos on a train and trial in June 2025, and making his debut against the Bulldogs in Round 18, Ben Talty is an excellent addition to the Brisbane side, having recently inked a two year extension with the club. Although an older-age 'rookie' at 27, Talty was a monumental part in the side that made the journey to the Grand Final. I'm looking forward to seeing what heights he goes to in 2026, considering he already scored a try in his second ever NRL game.

Player movement

GAINS: Grant Anderson (Melbourne), Tom Duffy (North Qld), Aublix Tawha (Dolphins)

COACH: Michael Maguire
CAPTAIN: Adam Reynolds

2026 CONTRACTED LIST: Adam Reynolds, Aublix Tawha, Ben Hunt, Ben Talty, Ben Te Kura, Billy Walters, Blake Mozer, Brendan Piakura, Corey Jensen, Cory Paix, Deine Mariner, Delouise Hoeter, Ezra Mam, Gehamat Shibasaki, Grant Anderson, Jack Gosiewski, Jaiyden Hunt, Jesse Arthars, Jordan Riki, Josh Rogers, Josiah Karapani, Kotoni Staggs, Patrick Carrigan, Payne Haas, Reece Walsh, Tom Duffy, Xavier Willison

LOSSES from 2025: Tyson Smoothy (Wakefield), Selwyn Cobbo (Dolphins), Jock Madden (Wests Tigers), Fletcher Baker (Canterbury), Kobe Hetherington (Manly), Martin Taupau (retired), Israel Leota (rugby union), Coby Black (Canberra)

Predicted / Best 17

1. Reece Walsh
2. Josiah Karapani/Grant Anderson/Jesse Arthars (how many wingers does one club need)
3. Kotoni Staggs
4. Gehamat Shibasaki
5. Deine Mariner
6. Ezra Mam
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Corey Jensen
9. Ben Hunt
10. Payne Haas
11. Brendan Piakura
12. Jordan Riki
13. Pat Carrigan

14. Billy Walters
15. Xavier Willison
16. Ben Talty
17. Aublix Tawha