Broncos superstar Reece Walsh is adamant the best is yet to come from Brisbane’s star spine in an ominous warning to the rest of the NRL ahead of their season opener against the Panthers.

Ezra Mam will return to the starting side at five-eighth this season, with Ben Hunt moving to the bench utility role, while Walsh and Adam Reynolds hold their spots at No.1 and No.7.

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Speaking to Code Sports, Walsh said the Broncos showed glimpses of their best on route to a drought-breaking tititle last season, but there is still so much improvement in them

“I just think our connection’s probably our biggest strength,” Walsh said.

“To be honest, I don’t think we even scratched the surface with what we can do as a spine.

“If we can all continue to grow and gel as much as we can and get on the same page, it’s exciting for us as a team, for sure.

“Us connecting together as a spine and like I said, I don’t feel like we’ve mastered that yet.

“So it’s pretty scary.

“If we all get in that mindset where we’re connected and we’re flowing and we’re directing this team around, it’s exciting for what’s ahead.”

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Walsh put in a finals series for the ages to win the Clive Churchill Medal last year, but his critics still feel he needs to cut out the errors in his game.

However, the 23-year-old believes he is an easy target and just wants to continue to improve his game over the next few seasons.

“I think I get targeted every year, mate, so it’s nothing new,’’ Walsh said

“It’s exciting and it makes me want to do my best.

“There’s definitely a standard that the good fullbacks hold themselves to and I think it’s just knowing my standard and not trying to drop below that level.

“I’m not always going to get it right, but I’m trying to get better every day.”

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Despite announcing himself asd one of the best players in the game last season, Walsh doesn’t feel he has reached his peak and wants to continue to challenge himself to improve areas of his game. Before an incredible form surge at the end of the season, his consistency was still being criticised.

“I’m a work in progress,” Walsh said.

“I’m not going to get everything right, but if I can continue to touch on those areas where I need to get better and you can always get better at your defence no matter how good you are.

“That (defence) is not too strong in my game that I want to try and get better at and I think it starts with training and starts with the mindset.

“I’m trying to grow as a player and as a person and probably those things that don’t come too natural to me, I’m just trying to work on and iron those things out.’’

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The Broncos will face plenty of pressure this season trying to defend their title, but Walsh denied they will become the hunted as opposed to the hunters.

“I wouldn’t say we’re the hunted, I think we’re the hunters, so we’re going after it,” Walsh said.

“We know everybody’s going to bring their best, so I think if you flip the mindset of we’re going after them, it’s going to be a good challenge.”

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No Broncos team has gone back-to-back since their star-studded 1993 side, but Walsh is confident the 2026 team can break the drought.

“Of course we can. We’ve got an amazing roster,” Walsh said.

“We know we’re not going to get everything right all the time, but as long as we keep our standards where they are and don’t let them drop, that’s important.

“I think we proved it last year. It’s not always about being perfect every single week, but it’s having that mindset of trying to get better every day and believing in each other.

“We will keep each other honest and accountable.”