Brisbane Broncos 2026 season preview
2025 recap
Last season saw the Broncos claim their first Premiership since 2006, as they showed remarkable resilience in the Finals to get over the line.
Brisbane finished 4th in the regular season, but when it came to Finals time, they shone – mostly led by superstar fullback Reece Walsh.
The Broncs recovered from double digit deficits against the Raiders, Panthers and Storm to win their fourth Premiership in the NRL era, and cap a remarkable season for coach Michael Maguire.
2025 position: 4th (NRL Premiers)
Key signings
Grant Anderson (Melbourne Storm), Tom Duffy (North Queensland Cowboys), Aublix Tawha (The Dolphins)
Key departures
Tyson Smoothy (Wakefield Trinity), Selwyn Cobbo (The Dolphins), Jock Madden (Wests Tigers), Fletcher Baker (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Kobe Hetherington (Manly Sea Eagles), Martin Taupau (Retired), Israel Leota (Rugby union), Coby Black (Canberra Raiders)
Players to watch
Aublix Tawha is an interesting arrival from the Dolphins. The prop is something of a late bloomer at 26, and with just nine NRL games under his belt from last year. He was named in the 17 for the WCC against Hull KR though, so it suggests we’ll be seeing plenty of him in first grade this year. And with Payne Haas off at the end of 2026, someone needs to step up in the forwards for Brisbane.
Cory Paix will start the season as first-choice hooker with Billy Walters still ruled out with an ACL injury. Paix comfortably slotted into the side last season to play 23 games, and the challenge for him is to keep his spot when Walters is fit again.
Young gun
Jamal Shibasaki joins older brother Gehamat at the Broncos in 2026. Shibasaki the younger managed only two apperances for the Cowboys, but at 20-years-old, he has a long career ahead of him and he’s another player who may be eyeing up Payne Haas’ jumper for 2027 and beyond.
Our prediction – 3rd
I’ve got the Broncos down to finish higher than last year, although I can’t see them making it back-to-back Premierships. Of course, they’re the team to beat in 2026, and they should be there or thereabouts, but I think they’re relying on a lot of things to go their way if they’re to claim another crown.
