London Broncos 2024 season preview
2023 recap
The Broncos defied all the odds to make their way back into Super League in 2024, after an incredible second half of the season in the Championship.
A 5th-placed finish meant they had to do it the hard way in the play-offs with three back-to-back away fixtures, but a comprehensive 42-0 demolition of Sheffield Eagles set the tone, and their semi-final win over Featherstone Rovers was probably the shock of the season. If it wasn’t, then the 18-14 win over Toulouse Olympique in the final certainly was.
2023 position: 5th in Championship (promoted)
Key signings
Sadiq Adebiyi (Keighley Cougars), Gideon Boafo (Newcastle Thunder), Jack Campagnolo (South Logan Magpies), Rhys Kennedy (Hull KR), James Meadows (Batley Bulldogs) Hakim Miloudi (Limoux), Josh Rourke (Batley Bulldogs), Robbie Storey (Keighley Cougars)
Key departures
Corey Norman, Paul Ulberg, Dean Whare (Contract expired)
Players to watch
Keep your eyes peeled for Emmanuel Waine. The Papua New Guinea international is a human wrecking ball who was recently described by one RL journalist as his ‘new favourite Super League player’ for his lack of self-preservation and ability to flatten everyone with and without the ball.
Look out for Dean Parata, too. The veteran forward has played in two World Cups for Italy, and was named Championship Player of the Year in 2023.
Young gun
Bill Leyland picked up the Young Championship Player of the Year award in 2023 for his impressive performances at Hooker, but sadly he’s been ruled out for the whole of 2024 with an ACL injury.
So, step forward Jensen Monk – the Bromley-born academy product made three appearances off the bench in 2023, and will be looking to stake his claim for a regular start in the halves.
Our Prediction – 12th
Anything higher than 12th would be an unbelievable achievement for the Broncos. It’s a minor miracle they made it back to Super League in the first place and with a handful of part-timers in their squad, it’s hard to see how they can compete against the established teams in the division.
Even if they can avoid finishing bottom of the table, the IMG gradings mean they’re destined to play in the Championship in 2025 anyway, so this year feels like they’re on a bit of a hiding to nothing.
If nothing else though, it’s a good opportunity for the homegrown players to show how much talent there is in the south, and it’s a chance for everyone to put themselves in the shop window for 2025.
