Act of Squad: Broncos predicted Round 1 team and 2024 overview
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Success such as the Broncos' rise to the 2023 grand final often means letting go of several stars, with Herbie Farnworth, Thomas Flegler, Kurt Capewell and Keenan Palasia all heading out the door ahead of the start of the 2024 campaign.
The Broncos signed Roosters forward Fletcher Baker in a bid to fill the void left by the Dolphins-bound Flegler but the club has placed a big focus on retaining the nucleus of their squad, with coach Kevin Walters pinning his faith on the next generation of talent with just two new signings for 2024.
Capewell’s experience and leadership will be missed after his switch to the Warriors, with 21-year-old Brendan Piakura likely to get first shot at the vacant back-row position after stringing 13 games together last season. Young gun Xavier Willison will be eager to nail Titans-bound Palasia's spot on the bench.
Walters has already confirmed plans to move Selwyn Cobbo from the wing to the centres to fill the spot made vacant by Herbie Farnworth's departure to the Dolphins, which should leave Jesse Arthars to play on one wing and Deine Mariner and veteran Corey Oates to fight it out for the other spot.
Losing three star forwards and a Dally M Centre of the Year will certainly take some adjusting but with star fullback Reece Walsh locked in until the end of 2025 and grand final hat-trick hero Ezra Mam looking set to remain at Red Hill, the Broncos' top 17 stacks up alongside the best in the NRL.
NRL Fantasy club by club: Broncos
Predicted Round 1 team
- Reece Walsh
- Deine Mariner
- Selwyn Cobbo
- Kotoni Staggs
- Jesse Arthars
- Ezra Mam
- Adam Reynolds
- Payne Haas
- Billy Walters
- Fletcher Baker
- Brendan Piakura
- Jordan Riki
- Patrick Carrigan
- Cory Paix
- Kobe Hetherington
- Xavier Willison
- Corey Jensen
Key Changes
Ins: Fletcher Baker (Roosters), Jaiyden Hunt (Dragons).
Outs: Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Keenan Palasia (Titans), Tom Flegler (Dolphins), Kurt Capewell (Warriors).
Health Watch
Jordan Riki (shoulder, Round 1).
Positional battle to watch
While youngster Deine Mariner had appeared the natural fit to take over from Farnworth in the centres, Walters' pre-season bombshell that it'll likely be Cobbo who gets the nod there means attention now turns to the wing.
The same group of players remain in the mix, with Jesse Arthars all but assured of being on one side thanks to a strong 2023 campaign and Mariner and Oates set to dual for the other spot.
Mariner started three of his four games last year on the wing, while Oates has done it all in that spot, but was overlooked for much of 2023 in favour of younger options. Jordan Pereira is the other player who could come into consideration, but at this stage he is a step down in the pecking order.
