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Can The Broncos End the 18-Season Drought and Win the NRL Telstra Premiership?

It was 1992 when the Brisbane Broncos won their first Premiership, led by Alfie Langer who had taken over as skipper when Gene Miles retired. Going back-to-back in 1993 and winning the Super League in 1997. Following up again with a Premiership in 1998 and another at the turn of the millenium in 2000 and again in 2006.

That’s 18 seasons ago. Time flies. Let’s not forget Kevvie put together the majority of the current Broncos side including bringing Reece Walsh from the Warriors, and Walters led them to a Grand Final in 2023.

Then he passed the baton to Madge.

Madge, aka “enemy numero uno” having led the Blues in a massive comeback win against the Maroons, in the 2024 Origin Series. Plenty of locals could not forget that and surely Madge kept his head down for that very reason.

The decision to appoint Maguire was brilliant! A masterclass move by the Broncos Board.

So now after quite a rollercoaster season, where at times the Broncos looked dire yet have far more often looked unbeatable. It’s only in recent weeks though that we have fully understood the resilience and sheer determination of this group.

The Broncos beat the Storm in the final game of the regular season to make the 4, 30-14, at Suncorp and after the game, skipper Paddy Carrigan spoke about the deluge of goal-line defence they had practiced in training.

That’s where their backbone has been developed, the layers of determination, and now the belief that no matter how high the mountain, it can always be climbed.

The “Mission Impossible” of coming back from 14-0 against the 4 time Premiers, now seems a walk in the park compared to the hole the Broncos were in against the Minor Premiers, but in reality both comebacks were miracles of belief and determination.

How much was Paddy Carrigan missed last week (and Billy Walters), and how much fresher will he be as a result? At the same time Payne Haas desperately needs a week off, but give us one more big one, Payne!

King & Loiero vs Carrigan & Haas – Broncos win.

In that final regular season game at Suncorp, Jahrome Hughes was coming off an injury break, and it would be fair to assume he’s now back to full capacity.

Munster & Hughes vs Hunt & Reynolds – Tough call.

Papenhuyzen + Howarth + Meaney vs Walsh + Staggs + Shibabsaki – Broncos win

Warbrick + Coates vs Karapani + Mariner – Broncos win

Grant Atkins did a great job of the Broncos-Panthers last week and is given the honours in the middle for the Grand Final.

18 seasons is a long time. It’s time to put that to bed, boys!

The Grand Final of the NRL Telstra Premiership kicks off at 6.30pm Brisbane Time, this Sunday, October 5. BE VERY CAREFUL AS DAYLIGHT SAVING STARTS ON SUNDAY!
The game will be broadcast live on Nine, Foxtel and Kayo.

Published 2-October-2025

Raiders vs Broncos – Papalii doubtful – Huge Opportunity for Broncos

Making the four was huge, but now the rubber hits the road for Madge Maguire and the Brisbane Broncos.

The win at Suncorp against the Storm 30-14, means that Melbourne hobble into the playoffs themselves, much weakened by both their recent form and the injuries they carry.

“Hunty and Billy did a great job in the halves, Jessi was able to come in and do a great job,” said Madge.

Paddy Carrigan spoke about the defensive resilience around training their goal-line defence.

“We have a group of leaders that are aligned with what we want to achieve.”

“The crowd were unbelievable, you can’t thank them enough. The flair in the attack made the crowd come alive.”

Madge is quietly confident his boys can blow the post-season apart.

Two players who have made a massive contribution to the Raiders Minor Premiership are Jamal Fogarty and Joseph Tapine.

Strong second halves have been one trend, presumably a higher level of fitness. Conversion from repeat sets is another trend that the Raiders have ridden this season, as well as defending repeat sets and causing fewer errors than their opponents consistently.

One of their biggest strengths is post-contact metres, which have been superior virtually all season against their opponents.

Josh Papalii is doubtful for the game on Sunday. Adam Reynolds is confident he will be fit to lead the Broncos at Canberra Stadium.

WHAT HAPPENED IN THE LAST BRONCOS GAME IN CANBERRA?

The Raiders got up 32-22 on March 15 at Gio Stadium.
Jesse Arthurs had three tries for the Broncos and Matty Nicholson had 2 for the Raiders
Deine Mariner had a solid game with two line breaks, running for 227 metres in the game.
Sebastien Kris for the Raiders had two line breaks, running a total of 162 metres.
The Raiders as a team had 647 post-contact metres to 565 for the Broncos.
Payne Haas had 76 post-contact metres, Deine Mariner 64 and Selwyn Cobbo 62.
For the Raiders, Hudson Young had 68 post-contact metres, Sebastian Kris had 63.
Raiders had seven line breaks to four for the Broncos, and 44 Raider tackle breaks to 35 for the Broncos.
The Broncos did win the offload battle 13-7.

A win for the Broncos will put them into a Preliminary Final at Suncorp, a loss would place them into a knock-out semi-final at Suncorp against the Sharks or the Roosters.

Published 9-Sept-2025

Massive Finale for Top 4 Spot Without Shibasaki

Photo Credit: NRL/YouTube

We knew Madge was a disciplinarian when he came to Red Hill but today, he punched that ticket pretty hard.

Gehmat Shibasaki is being dropped to the reserves after a disciplinary breach, for what has to be the biggest as well as final game of the regular season.

The viral Reece Walsh drinking from his toilet bowl incident, dismissed by the club as “poor humour” will also likely not have the Broncos star in the best mindset.

So Madge is rowing against the tide, but will send his troops out onto Suncorp in this dramatic finale against the second-placed, Storm, on Thursday night for an epic end to a rollercoaster regular season.

A team brimming with talent, where many are quiet, hard workers, can only benefit from firm guardrails to deliver their best on the field, so Madge’s authority is welcome, though demoting one of the season’s stars must have tested his principles.

His management of the Ezra Mam drama, the effervescence of Reece Walshand now the Shibaski error has appeared very sound and in his first season at Red Hill, appears to be delivering progress as noted by the push for the four. These are young, hard-working blokes desperate to please a city they are proud of, but in need of oversight and mentorship.

Last week’s win at the Cowboys in Townsville was a must-win, and the Broncos will carry plenty of attacking confidence into the game even without Shibasaki, though they were shut down in their game in Melbourne by the Storm defence only a month ago, when they lost 22-2.

Despite apparently looking for the “w”, the Storm have nothing to play for as they will finish second either way. If the Broncos can have a big first half, will Craig Bellamy keep his biggest wepons on the field? There’s no doubt they won’t want to enter the play-offs with two consecutive defeats having been rolled by the Roosters 40-10 last week.

Jessie Arthurs will be back on the wing. Deine Mariner will play in the centres. Brendan Piakura starts in the back row.

Adam Reynolds will sit out, hoping his hamstring tweak will be ready for the play-offs. Coming back too early was potentially a vital error driven by Reynolds himself, though you can’t blame him for wanting to contribute to a team straining to make the four.

For the Storm, Jahrome Hughes will be back. Will he be 100% after 6 weeks on the sidelines with a shoulder injury? It feels like a case of giving their star gametime before the playoffs rather than being confident he can deliver everything the Storm need. Surely he will be targeted to disrupt half-back flow?

The Ben Hunt-Billy Walters combo will need to be at their best against the Hughes-Munster duo. Bellamy brings back Xavier Coates, Eli Katoa, Nick Meaney and Josh King, after being rested last week. Attivalu Lisati starts at second row. Tui Kamikamica will be on the bench.

Huge game and surely the 14th man on the field, the Broncos faithful will nudge the boys over the line. Kick off is 7.30pm at Suncorp, if you can’t make it the game will be broadcast live on Channel 9, 9 Now, Foxtel and Kayo.

Published 3-Sept-2025

Sunday Sunshine at Suncorp: Broncos to Sunburn Sharks?

Photo Credit: NRL/YouTube

Brisbane footy fans, clear your schedule—because this Sunday at Suncorp Stadium, the Broncos return with intent. With a fresh squad and a big win still in their rearview mirror, Brisbane will look to tame the Cronulla Sharks in a Round 16 matchup that could reshape the top-eight conversation.

Kick-off is set for 2:00 pm, and after a well-timed bye, the Broncos are bracing for a real litmus test of their depth and form. The Titans were handled with ease in Round 14, but the Sharks will be a different beast.

Riding Momentum Back Home

Brisbane’s 42–14 thrashing of the Titans reminded fans what this squad can deliver when it clicks. Coach Michael Maguire has kept most of the winning formula intact for this clash. Jack Gosiewski returns from injury, slotting into the interchange, while Jordan Riki marks his 100th NRL game—both inclusions adding spark and experience.

Crucially, all three Origin stars—Reece Walsh, Patrick Carrigan and Payne Haas—are available and named to play. That gives Brisbane a massive boost across the spine, middle and edge, strengthening both defence and attacking rhythm.

The week off has allowed the squad to freshen up and reset—and that may be crucial with a month of heavyweight clashes still to come.

Sharks Reshuffle and Reload

Cronulla come to Brisbane with confidence and cohesion. They edged out the Dragons last week and have made a few strategic tweaks. Siosifa Talakai slides into the centres to replace the injured Mawene Hiroti, giving the backline extra punch. On the bench, Daniel Atkinson rejoins the interchange, offering utility value.

The Sharks sit comfortably inside the top five and will be aiming to continue their push toward finals consistency—even without Origin regulars Nicho Hynes and Cam McInnes.

Match-ups Worth Watching

Halves Showdown: Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam will run the Broncos’ attack. Reynolds’ control and Mam’s explosiveness offer balance and threat. Expect them to test Cronulla’s defensive edges early and often.

Middle Muscle: With Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan leading the charge, and Corey Jensen supporting through the middle, Brisbane’s pack is at full strength. They’ll meet resistance from Cronulla’s front-row pairing of Addin Fonua-Blake and Oregon Kaufusi.

Edge Impact: Jordan Riki and Brendan Piakura have a chance to do real damage on the flanks. With Talakai playing out of position, the Broncos may look to exploit mismatches with pace and footwork out wide.

Why It Matters

With just nine rounds remaining, the Broncos can’t afford to drop momentum. A win this weekend would keep them inside the top eight and send a clear message that they can compete with the league’s best—even without their marquee men.

For the Sharks, a win in Brisbane could consolidate a top-four spot and quieten critics questioning their performance against higher-ranked opposition.

Suncorp’s Sunday Surge

Gates open at 11:30 am, and fans can warm up with the NRLW trial match between the Broncos and PNG Orchids kicking off at 11:45 am. The precinct is expected to be buzzing, with family zones, merchandise stalls, and pre-game entertainment bringing back the traditional big-game feel. If history is any guide, a vocal Suncorp crowd could be the difference-maker.

Bronco Backer’s Cheat Sheet

🕑 Kick-off: Sunday, 22 June 2025 – 2:00 pm AEST
📍 Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
🔁 Key Inclusions: Jack Gosiewski returns to the bench; Jordan Riki celebrates his 100th NRL match
✅ Confirmed Playing: Reece Walsh (fullback), Patrick Carrigan (lock), Payne Haas (prop)
🧠 Watch For: Forward pack power plays, controlled halves pairing, edge threats from Riki and Piakura
🎯 What’s at Stake: A chance to solidify a top-eight spot and take down a top-five contender at home

This one’s shaping up as more than just two points on the ladder. It’s about grit, depth, and proving that Brisbane belongs in the business end of the 2025 season — no matter who’s wearing the jersey. If they bring the same fire they showed against the Titans, don’t be surprised if the Sharks leave Suncorp feeling scorched.

Published 18-June-2025

300 Reasons to Fight: Reynolds Hits Milestone as Broncos Slip Again

Photo Credit: NRL

Adam Reynolds’ 300th game should have been a celebration. Instead, it marked a season in freefall, as the Broncos endured their sixth loss in seven games.

Adam Reynolds was supposed to be the story. A veteran halfback with over a decade of elite play behind him, joining the rarefied air of the NRL’s 300-game club — a feat built on resilience, discipline, and the ability to deliver under pressure.

But as the Broncos trudged off Brookvale Oval following a 34–6 defeat to the Sea Eagles, there was no joy in the milestone. No redemption story. Just another performance that left more questions than answers, and a sobering reminder of how quickly things have unraveled.

Reynolds did his part. In his milestone match, he delivered 418 kicking metres and two forced dropouts, doing what he could to apply pressure. He made a season-high 39 tackles — nearly double his average — and kicked his 41st goal of the season. But it was nowhere near enough.

Manly ran riot. Six tries to one. A defensive collapse. Haumole Olakau’atu carved the Broncos open on the right edge, and debutant Clayton Faulalo scored twice to rub salt into the wounds. Brisbane missed 35 tackles. The effort was there in flashes — but cohesion, confidence, and composure were not.

This was supposed to be a celebration. The Broncos even issued commemorative scarves to fans and tributes poured in from across the league. But what should have been a moment of honour for their captain has instead become a microcosm of the team’s current crisis: bright individual moments overshadowed by collective underperformance.

Reynolds’ season, statistically, is holding up. Across 12 games in 2024, he’s posted 3 tries, 11 try assists, 40 goals at an 81.6% conversion rate, and remains one of the smartest tactical kickers in the game. But the pressure of carrying a faltering side is beginning to show.

He’s not alone in shouldering the load. Injuries have ravaged the squad. Reece Walsh remains out, forcing Jesse Arthars to shift to fullback. Billy Walters, normally a spark off the bench, was out with a wrist injury. But the issues run deeper than personnel. There’s something frayed in the fabric — a sense that belief is starting to slip.

Still, Reynolds fronted up after the game, as he always does. Composed, measured, but clearly frustrated. The message was clear: the group remains united, the coaching staff supported. But it’s hard to shake the sense that this team, which came so close to glory last season, is now stuck in a freefall it can’t yet arrest.

With a 5–7 record and a points differential now slipping into the red, the Broncos sit outside the top eight. The weeks ahead will be defining — not just for their season, but for the culture they claim to be building.

It’s not how Reynolds would have written this chapter. A player who gave everything to South Sydney, only to be cut loose and start over in Brisbane — where he quickly became the compass of a rebuilding side. He brought belief. Stability. Hope. And he still brings it, game after game.

But football is cruel like that. Milestones don’t guarantee moments. Loyalty doesn’t shield you from the scoreboard. And sometimes, even a player as steady as Reynolds is forced to carry more than he should.

The Broncos have time to fix this. But they need to start showing it on the field — for themselves, for their season, and for the captain who deserves better than this.

Published 3-June-2025

Ezra Mam Back as Broncos Need to Bounce Back from Being Latrelled

OK, so let’s address the elephant in the room. It’s Origin time, and 12 months ago, Madge Maguire pulled off an unexpected turnaround for the Blues with a series decider at Suncorp. Madge is 1 from 1 in Origin and has made way for Laurie Daly, maintaining the perfect record.

Now the Broncos season has got a bit rocky of late. Madge is under pressure. The new discipline which had the Broncos off to the races until a few weeks ago has given way to giving up good leads and, frankly, not looking as consistently dangerous in attack.

The game stats against the Rabbits look great on the surface. The Broncos, having 9 line breaks and 29 tackle breaks, but most of that was the first half where they dominated.

The crime last week was letting the Rabbits back into the game and not scoring in the second half. Getting Latrelled was an uncontrollable.

Is this a temporary blip or a virus slowly spreading at Red Hill?

The Dragons will be a good litmus test for whether the Broncos are genuine contenders this year. Losing their nailbiter to the Warriors last week suggests that they are competitive. Warriors are now 2nd on the ladder though the Dragons in 13th spot makes this a must win for the Broncos.

Ezra Mam returns to the Broncos side, a forced early recall to replace Ben Hunt, who’s hamstring injury rules him out at a crucial time for the Broncos. The former Ambrose Treacy College student has been slaughtered on social media for his off-the-field troubles but the Suncorp faithful will forgive everything if he can deliver on Sunday afternoon.

Xavier Willison will start. His tackle breaks are becoming valuable. Now, he just needs to learn how to offload like Kitione Kautoga of the Eels (what an offload to Inongi against the Dolphins for Dylan Brown’s try last week!).

Toby Couchman is replaced by Jack de Belin in the Dragons starting side. Blake Lawrie comes into the Interchange.

The game at Suncorp on Sunday, 18 May, kicks off at 2:00 p.m. If you can’t get there Kayo and Foxtel will broadcast the game live.

Broncos Hoping to Repeat Bulldogs First half and Knock Over Struggling Panthers

Photo Credit: NRL

The Broncos’ huge first half last week against the previously impenetrable Bulldogs defence, without Reece Walsh, was a massive momentum shift for Madge Maguire’s men in the 2025 Premiership race.

The contribution of Payne Haas, who had five offloads and ran 261m, was once again vital. Adam Reynolds controlled distribution masterfully and won’t be retiring this year, which will require some budget juggling for the Broncos. Frankly, he helped unlock one of the all-time dominant defences, and so if you can still do that at the age of 34, why wouldn’t you keep going?

Reynolds has had a tough week, with a minor shoulder injury from the Bulldogs game and an infection, but he is fit to play. He is within 3 points of taking second spot in the all-time Premiership point scoring list from Hazem Al Masri.

The Panthers currently hold the wooden spoon, hero to zero for the team that has won the last 4 Premierships. They haven’t been bottom since round 25 in 2007.

They went down 10-26 at home to the Sea Eagles last week, following their dominant win against the Roosters.

Luke Garner returns from a concussion protocol for the Panthers and replaces Casey McLean. Tom Jenkins plays on the wing. Scot Sorensen will serve a three-game suspension and be replaced by Isaiah Papali’i. Jordan Riki will return for the Broncos, and Brendan Piakura will move to the interchange.

The biggest game of the Magic Round kicks off at 4:05 p.m. on Sunday, and Suncorp will be electric. The game will be broadcast on Nine, Kayo and Foxtel.

ACTIVATIONS FOR MAGIC ROUND AT SUNCORP

In addition to the Steeden activation, we will hand out brand-new three-footies of a brand-new size in exchange for any old sports ball(basketball, netball, AFL, NRL, football—any ball).

Other activations at Suncorp include:

The Harvey Norman Hub

The Westpac Catch & Keep

Red Bull and Levels present

Youi Fan Cam & Sign Station

The Chemist Warehouse – Fan Run On and Tackle Course

The Telstra Trophy Zone

The Hisense Commentary Box

See more about the activations halfway down this page:

Published Date 03-May-2025

Broncos Without Walsh Need to End the Bulldogs Run

The visit of the currently unbeaten Canterbury Bulldogs to Suncorp on Thursday night has become a “must win” for the Broncos who are looking to regain momentum after back-to-back losses.

The 20-18 loss to the Warriors last Saturday in Auckland, was the result of leaking three tries in 13 minutes of the second-half.

Paddy Carrigan with 53 tackles and Payne Haas running 219 metres were the highlights for the Broncos but the 69% completion rate against the Warriors 84% wasn’t going to get it done.

Madge Maguire’s men will be without Reece Walsh, who has a knee injury. Selwyn Cobbo will move to fullback and Deine Marriner will play on the wing. Brendan Piakura will be on the bench after his two match suspension for a high tackle charge.

The Bulldogs are aiming for their first “7 match winning streak” since 2014, and will field the same starting 13 as last week’s win against the Rabbitohs. Harry Hayes will replace Jack Todd on the bench, Todd out with a fractured arm.

After shutting out the Knights (20-0) and the Rabbitohs (32-0) in the last two games, the Bulldogs defence is building a big reputation, partly down to their strong line speed, they concede on average only 9 points per game. Their left-edge attack is their offensive edge. Second half stamina is also proving an area of dominance, having held several teams scoreless in the second stanza this year. After seven years straight of missing the playoffs, the Bulldogs broke that run last year and in 2025 have taken their performance to a new level under Cameron Ciraldo, in his third season.

The Broncos will really need the Suncorp crowd to lift them over the line, the game kicks off at 7.50 p.m.

Published 23-April-2025

Broncos Look to Maintain Momentum at Suncorp Against Wests

The Broncos will run out at Suncorp on Saturday night, feeling they are looking like championship contenders under Madge Maguire but also knowing that there’s plenty of scope for improvement.

The 12-20 win last week against the Dolphins in front of a soggy 44,278 fans, was the result of one try for each team in the second half — Gehemat Shibasaki grabbing his second after opening the scoring in the 11th minute, Jake Averillo going over with five minutes to go for the Dolphins.

Kotoni Staggs made a big impression on his first game back, running 122 metres from 15 possessions and scoring a crucial try. Haas and Carrigan ran 142m and 114m respectively. But Shibasaki’s 158m from 17 possessions was a massive shift. Payne Haas led the tackle count with 41, Jensen 38, Paix had 36 and Carrigan had 35.

The Broncos carry a very strong record against the Wests Tigers, 23 wins with 9 losses and 1 draw over the 33 matches played, and currently sit third with a 3 wins, 1 loss record. The Wests Tigers have shown better form this season than recent years and carry a 2-2 record, including a very narrow loss last week to the Warriors, 24-26. In that game Terrell May’s try with 20 minutes left was ruled out by the bunker for dropping the ball over the line, that would have put them two scores ahead with 20 minutes left.

Wests will miss Jarome Luai who got a one match suspension from a Grade 2 careless high tackle charge against the Warriors last week. Adam Doeihi comes back after a groin injury.

Last week Terrell May ran 152 metres and delivered three offloads as well as making 48 tackles for Wests.

It’s a game the Broncos will expect to win, but Benji Marshall will feel his side have a sniff.