All eyes will once again be on the Brisbane Broncos, who in season 2022 will be led by newly announced skipper and former South Sydney superstar Adam Reynolds.
The 2014 premiership winner will join a new-look Broncos side along with several fellow recruits Kurt Capewell, Brenko Lee, and Ryan James as Brisbane looks to avoid a third-straight season without a finals appearance.
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Read on for Wide World of Sports’ season preview of last year’s 14th-place finishers
BRONCOS
2021 finishing position: 14th
Gains: Adam Reynolds (Rabbitohs), Kurt Capewell (Panthers), Brenko Lee (Storm), Corey Jensen (Cowboys), Jordan Pereira (Dragons), Ryan James (Raiders), Billy Walters (Wests Tigers), Te Maire Martin (out of retirement).
Losses: Xavier Coates (Storm), Tevita Pangai Jr (Bulldogs), Brodie Croft (Salford), Anthony Milford (released), Alex Glenn (retirement), John Asiata (released), Ethan Bullemor (Sea Eagles), Isaiah Tass (Rabbitohs), Richard Kennar (released), Danny Levi (Huddersfield), Ben Te’o (released), Karmichael Hunt (released), Jesse Arthars (Warriors).
Best 17: 1. Tesi Niu, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Jamayne Isaako, 6. Tyson Gamble, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Payne Haas, 9. Jake Turpin, 10. Thomas Flegler, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Patrick Carrigan, 14. Kobe Hetherington, 15. TC Robati, 16. Corey Jensen, 17. Ryan James.
Greatest strength: One of the premiership’s biggest, most mobile forward packs. They just have lacked someone to steer them around the park and Reynolds should do that job with ease.
Biggest question mark: Schoolboy errors have plagued the Broncos in recent seasons and in many games, they haven’t appeared ready to play and were staring down big half-time deficits as a result. They need to fix those two areas.
Man under pressure: Corey Oates has been a favourite son at the club for many years but didn’t enjoy his best season in 2021 and will be playing for his future this season.
Biggest loss: Alex Glenn was a rock in defence for the Broncos for much of the past decade, doing the tackling for several of his bigger teammates. He was also one of the club’s few genuine leaders.
Predicted 2022 finishing position: 10th
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