Will EvansSeason Preview 2009 - Brisbane Broncos
March 12th 2009 08:39
Brisbane Broncos
2009 shapes as one of the most intriguing seasons in the Brisbane Broncos 21-year history - the first without mastercoach Wayne Bennett at the helm. He has left the proud club in great shape however. It has so far been a seamless transition for rookie coach Ivan Henjak, and he has one of the NRL's strongest rosters at his disposal. Despite another year of significant changes to their squad, the Broncos have recruited well and have too many big names to be discounted as a premiership contender.
Strengths: Although they will not have full use of all of their weapons from the outset due to injury, Brisbane has a backline to rival any of the Broncos line-ups of the past. The prospect of Israel Folau and Justin Hodges combining is mouthwatering, and Lockyer and Wallace's chemistry in the halves is set to blossom further this year. If that isn't enough, Karmichael Hunt is at the back, and there is a bevvy of wing talent to choose from. Despite being on the wrong side of 30, Lockyer is still in the top bracket of the game's influential players, and no-one in the NRL is better at producing the clutch play in a match's dying stages. As always the Broncos have outstanding depth - every position on the field appears well-covered.
Weaknesses: From Dowling to Lazarus, Webcke to Civoniceva and most recently Ben Hannant, the Broncos have always been able to rely on having a top-level front-rower or two to anchor their pack. Nick Kenny is first-choice prop at the club to start 2009 and is primed for a big year, but started in only two matches last season. Disappointing 2008 recruits Joel Clinton and Ashton Sims need to step up, while youngsters Dave Taylor and Aaron Sweeney have a big role to play. 2008 Player of the Year Sam Thaiday has even more responsibility this season as a forward leader.
Recruitment: For the third successive season the Broncos have been drained of a plethora of top-line talent. But they have recruited adequately to offset those losses, and in some areas seem to be stronger than last year. Darius Boyd and Denan Kemp are lamentable departures, but the signing of 19-year old megastar Israel Folau, one of the biggest in the club's history, tempers that disappointment. Tonie Carroll and Greg Eastwood are replaced in the back-row department by dynamic Queensland juniors Ben Te'o and Lagi Setu, while former Dragon Aaron Gorrell has been lured back from the Super League to cover the massive loss of Michael Ennis. Hannant is the only departure that will need to be covered from the existing squad.
Youth brigade: Brisbane's Toyota Cup squad made the grand final in 2008 (which they lost to the Raiders in extra-time), and several players from that side look set to play a major role in the 2009 NRL campaign. Utility Alex Glenn will debut off the bench in Round 1, exciting winger Jharal Yow Yeh is another NRL first-timer on the wing, while highly-rated prospect Andrew McCullough will also be used as an interchange. McCullough is a front-runner for the long-term hooking berth, while he also offers cover in the halves, as does Toyota Cup Player of the Year Ben Hunt. Unknown Roosters recruit Antonio Winterstein is another debutant on the wing against the Cowboys, ousting Under-20s graduates Josh Hoffman and Gerard Beale.
Rep drain: Traditionally one of the hardest hit sides since their inception in 1988, the Broncos are certain to have their depth severely tested once again come Origin time. Lockyer, Folau and Hodges are Queensland certainties, while Karmichael Hunt, Corey Parker, Sam Thaiday, Kenny and Steve Michaels are strong contenders for the Maroons, and Peter Wallace deserves to be considered the early favourite for the Blues No. 7 spot.
X-factor: Justin Hodges is a brilliant matchwinner and provides valuable experience to a young three-quarter line, despite being only 26. He was devastating when on the field in 2008, but two suspensions restricted him to 14 appearances and ruined his Origin campaign, before injury ruled him out of the World Cup. Six weeks personal leave followed some well-publicised personal problems, and injury will keep him out of action until Round 4. Hodges will be eager to get back on the field and reclaim his rep spots, and overcoming his recent troubles could have a major bearing on Brisbane's premiership assault.
Under pressure: The Broncos signed Clinton and Sims on good money, and the highly-rated pair owe the club after mediocre first seasons in 2008. Despite Hannant leaving for the Bulldogs, Clinton has been usurped by Kenny for the No. 1 prop spot, while Sims has a lot to prove to Brisbane fans after coughing up possession and allowing the Storm to bounce his side out of the finals with a last-gasp try. Brisbane have always selected their teams on form, not names, and there are several promising young forwards waiting in the wings if their more experienced rivals aren't cutting the mustard.
Ready to explode: Peter Wallace was superb in his first season in Broncos colours last year, and handling the extra responsibility in the absence of Lockyer. He was magnificent on Origin debut for the Blues, before losing his spot to Mitchell Pearce for the decider after coming back from a ruptured testicle. An exciting battle looms for the No. 7 NSW jumper this year and Wallace will only grow in stature and confidence the longer he spends inside Lockyer.
Predictions: Quality all over the park and several genuine superstars in the backs will put the Broncos in contention when the whips are cracking in September, barring injuries to key players. Question marks remain over the engine-room, but Lockyer and Wallace in the halves, Folau and Hodges in the centres, and Hunt at the back equals a genuine tilt at the title. Rep season is sure to provide its usual challenges, but the Broncos are the biggest threat to Manly and Melbourne.
Premiers after 3rd place finish in the minor premiership
2009 shapes as one of the most intriguing seasons in the Brisbane Broncos 21-year history - the first without mastercoach Wayne Bennett at the helm. He has left the proud club in great shape however. It has so far been a seamless transition for rookie coach Ivan Henjak, and he has one of the NRL's strongest rosters at his disposal. Despite another year of significant changes to their squad, the Broncos have recruited well and have too many big names to be discounted as a premiership contender.
Strengths: Although they will not have full use of all of their weapons from the outset due to injury, Brisbane has a backline to rival any of the Broncos line-ups of the past. The prospect of Israel Folau and Justin Hodges combining is mouthwatering, and Lockyer and Wallace's chemistry in the halves is set to blossom further this year. If that isn't enough, Karmichael Hunt is at the back, and there is a bevvy of wing talent to choose from. Despite being on the wrong side of 30, Lockyer is still in the top bracket of the game's influential players, and no-one in the NRL is better at producing the clutch play in a match's dying stages. As always the Broncos have outstanding depth - every position on the field appears well-covered.
Weaknesses: From Dowling to Lazarus, Webcke to Civoniceva and most recently Ben Hannant, the Broncos have always been able to rely on having a top-level front-rower or two to anchor their pack. Nick Kenny is first-choice prop at the club to start 2009 and is primed for a big year, but started in only two matches last season. Disappointing 2008 recruits Joel Clinton and Ashton Sims need to step up, while youngsters Dave Taylor and Aaron Sweeney have a big role to play. 2008 Player of the Year Sam Thaiday has even more responsibility this season as a forward leader.
Recruitment: For the third successive season the Broncos have been drained of a plethora of top-line talent. But they have recruited adequately to offset those losses, and in some areas seem to be stronger than last year. Darius Boyd and Denan Kemp are lamentable departures, but the signing of 19-year old megastar Israel Folau, one of the biggest in the club's history, tempers that disappointment. Tonie Carroll and Greg Eastwood are replaced in the back-row department by dynamic Queensland juniors Ben Te'o and Lagi Setu, while former Dragon Aaron Gorrell has been lured back from the Super League to cover the massive loss of Michael Ennis. Hannant is the only departure that will need to be covered from the existing squad.
Youth brigade: Brisbane's Toyota Cup squad made the grand final in 2008 (which they lost to the Raiders in extra-time), and several players from that side look set to play a major role in the 2009 NRL campaign. Utility Alex Glenn will debut off the bench in Round 1, exciting winger Jharal Yow Yeh is another NRL first-timer on the wing, while highly-rated prospect Andrew McCullough will also be used as an interchange. McCullough is a front-runner for the long-term hooking berth, while he also offers cover in the halves, as does Toyota Cup Player of the Year Ben Hunt. Unknown Roosters recruit Antonio Winterstein is another debutant on the wing against the Cowboys, ousting Under-20s graduates Josh Hoffman and Gerard Beale.
Rep drain: Traditionally one of the hardest hit sides since their inception in 1988, the Broncos are certain to have their depth severely tested once again come Origin time. Lockyer, Folau and Hodges are Queensland certainties, while Karmichael Hunt, Corey Parker, Sam Thaiday, Kenny and Steve Michaels are strong contenders for the Maroons, and Peter Wallace deserves to be considered the early favourite for the Blues No. 7 spot.
X-factor: Justin Hodges is a brilliant matchwinner and provides valuable experience to a young three-quarter line, despite being only 26. He was devastating when on the field in 2008, but two suspensions restricted him to 14 appearances and ruined his Origin campaign, before injury ruled him out of the World Cup. Six weeks personal leave followed some well-publicised personal problems, and injury will keep him out of action until Round 4. Hodges will be eager to get back on the field and reclaim his rep spots, and overcoming his recent troubles could have a major bearing on Brisbane's premiership assault.
Under pressure: The Broncos signed Clinton and Sims on good money, and the highly-rated pair owe the club after mediocre first seasons in 2008. Despite Hannant leaving for the Bulldogs, Clinton has been usurped by Kenny for the No. 1 prop spot, while Sims has a lot to prove to Brisbane fans after coughing up possession and allowing the Storm to bounce his side out of the finals with a last-gasp try. Brisbane have always selected their teams on form, not names, and there are several promising young forwards waiting in the wings if their more experienced rivals aren't cutting the mustard.
Ready to explode: Peter Wallace was superb in his first season in Broncos colours last year, and handling the extra responsibility in the absence of Lockyer. He was magnificent on Origin debut for the Blues, before losing his spot to Mitchell Pearce for the decider after coming back from a ruptured testicle. An exciting battle looms for the No. 7 NSW jumper this year and Wallace will only grow in stature and confidence the longer he spends inside Lockyer.
Predictions: Quality all over the park and several genuine superstars in the backs will put the Broncos in contention when the whips are cracking in September, barring injuries to key players. Question marks remain over the engine-room, but Lockyer and Wallace in the halves, Folau and Hodges in the centres, and Hunt at the back equals a genuine tilt at the title. Rep season is sure to provide its usual challenges, but the Broncos are the biggest threat to Manly and Melbourne.
Premiers after 3rd place finish in the minor premiership
| 78 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
