The Broncos are facing a long, gruelling summer of introspection after going from pomp premiers to bottom-four battlers in the space of 12 months – and roster surgery is calling.
Brisbane certainly doesn’t have a bad roster heading into 2027 – the likes of Reece Walsh, Kotoni Staggs, Ezra Mam, Patrick Carrigan and Mitch Barnett are on the glamour club’s books – but there are warts that cannot be ignored.
Broncos coach Michael Maguire. NRL Imagery
Nine.com.au has tackled five roster issues facing Michael Maguire’s team, who managed only eight wins in 2026 and finished in 14th on the ladder.
Keep in mind the Broncos currently have 27 of a possible 30 roster spots filled next year. They have got until June 30 to add another three charges, or reconstruct the shape of their roster with a swap deal.
The loss of Haas, and shallow front-row stocks
Payne Haas’ departure to South Sydney has stripped Brisbane’s engine room of the best front-rower in the world.
The Broncos did well to snare Barnett as his replacement – another NSW State of Origin prop – but the mammoth run metres, tireless tackling and enormous inspiration Haas brings will be sorely missed.
Even with Haas in Broncos colours, Brisbane’s front-row stocks were let down by a lack of depth.
And bear in mind the Broncos have also lost premiership prop Corey Jensen, who was forced to medically retire in July, as well as 205cm, 140kg unit Ben Te Kura, who’s fled to America to chase his NFL dream.
A lot of expectation will fall on the shoulders of Barnett and 205cm, 123kg young gun Xavier Willison in 2027, and of course gun lock forward and potential captain-in-waiting Patrick Carrigan.
“Some more depth in the middle part of the field would be ideal, I think,” Broncos great Darius Boyd said on a recent episode of Wide World of Sports’ QLDER.
Back-row punch
The Broncos have bolstered their second-row stocks with the recruitment of Shawn Blore from Melbourne, and Jordan Riki is a star, but some extra punch is needed.
The Broncos also have an excellent back-rower in Brendan Piakura – but a series of concussions have clouded his future.
Aublix Tawha is promising, as is 18-year-old phenom Tupou Francis, who may well make his NRL debut in 2027, although it’s unlikely they will be ready to stamp their presence in the top flight next year.
Brisbane has recruited back-rower Shawn Blore from Melbourne. Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Roster-clogging rakes
This is where the Broncos’ roster begins to look out of whack.
They have a huge number of hookers on their books, but the quality of those rakes leaves a lot to be desired.
Provided he’s fit, Billy Walters will be the starting hooker in round one. And Kevvie Walters′ son is a terrific player.
But Cory Paix and Blake Mozer offer very little, and although the Broncos have a high opinion of 21-year-old Cameron Bukowski, he is not yet ready to shine on the big stage.
The Broncos have a fifth hooker if Ben Hunt is being counted, but he doesn’t want to play at No.9. The Queensland Origin champion wants to wear the No.7.
“There are too many hookers in their squad, and that has been the case for several years,” 9News Queensland sports reporter Adam Jackson said on QLDER recently.
“They need to reshuffle, recalibrate, whatever they want to do, and move one of those hookers on and replace them with a middle forward.
“That is where they have struggled this year, their middle forward depth, especially when Carrigan and Haas aren’t there.”
Cory Paix. NRL Imagery
The ageing Hunt and Gagai
The Broncos raised eyebrows when they locked up long-in-the-tooth champions Hunt and Dane Gagai in a matter of days in June.
Hunt turns 37 in the first month of next season; Gagai turns 36 in January.
They have carved out remarkable careers at the highest levels of rugby league, and they are sure to bring crucial leadership to the Red Hill redemption mission, but the jury is out on how influential they can be on the field well into their 30s.
At sixes and sevens
Ezra Mam is one of the NRL’s great game-breakers – think grand final day, 2023 – but the big-money Bronco is a liability in defence.
Mam chalked up 102 missed tackles this season – the most of all players in the league.
And although Jonah Pezet has big raps on him, Broncos bosses would be wishing his one season as an Eel went better than it did.
In a season hampered by injuries, the highly touted playmaker found himself stuck in NSW Cup.
With question marks hanging over Mam and Pezet, and Hunt hellbent on claiming the No.7 jersey, the Broncos could be in for some chopping and changing in the halves.
Jonah Pezet is joining the Broncos. Getty Images
The Broncos have been slammed for letting young halfback Coby Black leave to join the Raiders after the 20-year-old brained his NRL debut last week.
Retired captain Adam Reynolds is expected to remain at Red Hill in a halves coaching role.
Broncos’ 2027 gains: Jonah Pezet (Eels), Mitch Barnett (Warriors), Dane Gagai (Knights), Shawn Blore (Storm)
Broncos’ 2027 losses: Adam Reynolds (retirement), Payne Haas (Rabbitohs), Grant Anderson (Warriors), Jesse Arthars (Catalans), Gehamat Shibasaki (Bears)