Brisbane Broncos 2009 season preview
February 23rd 2009 05:37
The lowdown
Greg Inglis is a beloved Queenslander, but he was the most hated man in Brisbane last year after he scored a try right on the siren for Melbourne to break the hearts of 50,000 Broncos supporters in the 2008 NRL semi-final.
With victory literally in their grasp, the Broncos were pipped at the death by a Storm unit who just kept concentrating that little bit longer.
In a regular season that saw off field controversy and plenty of fantastic performances, the Broncos just fell short of a preliminary final birth against the Sharks the following week.
With Wayne Bennett now heading to Sydney for the first time in his career, the Broncos begin a new era under rookie coach Ivan Henjak and superstar recruit Israel Folau.
2009 Prospects
Brisbane finished fifth last year and played well enough to consider themselves genuine title threats in 2008.
The Broncos had the equal second best home record in the NRL last season with 9 wins and just 3 losses next to their name.
Some of those victories at home were nail biters, beating the Titans in golden point and defeating the Eels with seconds remaining.
One of their rare losses at home however was against eventual wooden spooners, the Bulldogs. A loss that threatened to once again derail their finals campaign.
But the Broncos remained strong and their consistency in tight matches allowed them to get home on most occasions last season.
But with a host of experienced players having left Brisbane at the end of 2008, the Broncos will find it difficult to maintain their high level of professionalism on the paddock in 2009.
Key players Darius Boyd, Denan Kemp, Ben Hannant, Tonie Carroll, Michael Ennis and Greg Eastwood have left the Broncos with a gapping hole in their player roster that needs to be stitched up quickly if they are to overcome any potential injuries.
Even with the exodus of player talent, the Broncos still boost a tremendous side on paper, particularly in the backline with Karmichael Hunt, Darren Lockyer, Justin Hodges, Peter Wallace and Israel Folau all gifted attacking players.
If Brisbane’s forwards can aim up in season 2009, no doubt the Broncos have the necessary arsenal to tear opposition sides to shreds.
Prediction
Despite the loss of Wayne Bennett and a host of established players, the Broncos should once again make the finals and possibly challenge for a premiership.
Although their player roster is thinner than on previous occasions, their best side still has the potential to go all the way next season.
With lockyer still on deck, the Broncos still boost one of the finest match winning players the NRL has seen in a long time.
No doubt if the rest of Brisbane’s backline stays injury free, they will be a finals force and a genuine threat for a title this coming season.
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