Former NRL coach Shane Flanagan believes the Broncos could be in for another tough season next year due to question marks over the make-up of the club’s spine.

While it isn’t yet official, Brisbane are set to become the first defending premier in 20 years to miss the finals, with their slim finals hopes crushed with a loss to North Queensland over the weekend.

Watch every game of every round of the Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

“Very disappointing. They could’ve won this game but they couldn’t ice their chances,” NRL360 host Braith Anasta said.

“It’s the story of their season,” journalist Brent Read added.

“They haven’t aimed up all year. They have had injuries but a lot of their players back now and they couldn’t execute.

“They have a big off-season in front of them. A lot of soul searching.”

CODE Sports’ Dean Ritchie labelled the Broncos’ fall down the ladder a “travesty”.

“This is one of the big missed opportunities for a powerhouse club. They’ve really stuffed this season up,” Ritchie said.

Read went onto say that he thinks the Broncos’ expectations should be a top-four finish at least next season.

“They still have a premiership-winning squad. They still have (Reece) Walsh, (Ezra) Mam, (Kotoni) Staggs, and Mitch Barnett is coming to the club,” he said.

“If they’re not in the top four next year, it’s another disappointing season.”

‘Doueihi won’t be there next year!’ | 02:18

Unfortunately for the Broncos’ diehard supporters, there may be further pain around the corner though.

Brisbane will be without prop Payne Haas (South Sydney) and halfback Adam Reynolds (retirement) – two huge losses.

While the Broncos have the cavalry in the forward pack to limit the damage of Haas’ departure, the club’s spine is what worries Flanagan.

Jonah Pezet will join the club in the off-season but given his underwhelming 2026 campaign with the Eels, he won’t be the walk-in starter at halfback next year, as envisaged when he signed.

The Broncos’ dummy-half stocks have always appeared to be strong over the past few seasons, but young gun Blake Mozer hasn’t yet come on as expected and while there have been whispers that Billy Walters has re-signed for next year, nothing has been made official yet.

Sharks finally Premiership contenders? | 03:35

“Their halves situation with Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt and their hooker situation doesn’t look clear to me. I’m sure Madge has an idea,” former Sharks and Dragons head coach Flanagan said on Triple M.

“Their spine doesn’t look settled to me, so next year could be a bit of a not so good year for them.”

When ex-NRL hardman James Graham noted the players the Broncos still have and the X-factor of Walsh, Flanagan responded that it was tough to rely on just one player so often.

“It’s a big ask to put it into one player’s hands,” Flanagan said.

“He (Walsh) was in form last year to get them into the grand final but to ask a player of your spine to get them through, that’s a tough gig.”