Brisbane Broncos 2024 season review
Overview
2024 couldn’t have been much worse for the Broncos after an outstanding 2023 season when they reached the Grand Final.
They started 2024 with a 20-10 loss to the Roosters in Vegas, and their stop-start form saw them with a 2-3 record after the opening five games. Things looked as though they were starting to click after that, but one win in nine games between rounds 12 and 22 left their finals hopes hanging by a thread.
They briefly looked as though they’d gatecrash the top eight after an impressive 18-42 win over the Cowboys in round 23, which they followed up with an unconvincing 30-24 win over the Eels in round 25.
The following week, their destiny was still in their own hands, but a 40-6 hammering by the Dolphins effectively ended their season, and they finished off with another heavy defeat in round 27, as the Storm smashed them 12-50 at Suncorp.
Highs
The Broncos saw off their Queensland rivals, the Cowboys, pretty convincingly on both occasions this year. A 38-12 win at Suncorp was followed up by an 18-42 win in Townsville.
A run of five wins in six games between rounds six and 11 was another highlight, and suggested they were on the ascendancy, but it was short-lived.
Lows
The 40-6 loss to the Dolphins in round 26 stands out, especially as a Broncos win would have put them in the driving seat for a place in the top eight.
That defeat was one of six by 20 points or more, as Brisbane’s defence was battered throughout the season.
There was plenty of off-field drama, too, with rumours of fall-outs among the players, question marks over coach Kevin Walters, and Selwyn Cobbo being hauled in for questioning by police after allegations of a domestic disturbance.
Injuries didn’t help Brisbane’s chances of a 2023 repeat either. Captain Adam Reynolds missed more than half the season with injury, superstar full-back Reece Walsh was also missing for 13 games, and Ezra Mam’s season came to an abrupt halt in round 22.
All in all, far more bad than good for Brisbane this year.
Reasons to be positive in 2025
Although they haven’t confirmed any player arrivals for 2025, the Broncos have already had a shake-up of backroom staff ahead of next year, and maybe some new voices will give the team a boost.
Assistant coaches John Cartwright and Lee Briers are both heading to Super League, with Trent Barrett set to come in as one of the new faces.
On the playing side, if Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam can stay fit, the Broncos have one of the best halves combinations in the NRL. Throw in a fully fit and firing Reece Walsh at full-back, and Brisbane should definitely bounce back and be among the finals contenders again in 2025.
My 2024 prediction – 2nd
Final 2024 position – 12th (-10)
This turned out to be a shocking prediction! Injuries took their toll on the Broncos, but that’s no excuse for the dramatic drop-off, and a top eight finish was still well within their grasp, despite the absences. I still think they’re better than their final position suggests, but clearly top two was unrealistic, especially looking at the level of the Storm and the Panthers in 2024.
