Why Broncos are perfectly placed for a title, and to be picked apart

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Broncos founding father Barry Maranta famously offered Brisbane’s inaugural first-grade side an unprecedented $1500 per-man, per-game win bonus in 1988.

It was more than double any other going in the old NSWRL competition, but came with a miniscule $50 pay packet if his team lost.

“That will pay for petrol to get you to training and give you a strong incentive to win next week,” Maranta said 35 years ago.

The rock-star reception at Red Hill and clamour for Kevin Walters’ side earlier this week in Brisbane was said to be unlike any seen in the club’s success-laden history.

And why not? While Penrith make their own bid for a rare slice of NRL history, Brisbane boast an equally young, vibrant roster fit to burst with talent and title-winning potential.

But just like Maranta’s old win bonuses, the incentive to make the most of it right here, right now is plain.

Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam: On the rise and set to cash in accordingly.Credit: NRL Imagery

Brisbane’s roster is already being eyed off by 16 NRL rivals with the best part of $2 million in contract upgrades for Payne Haas, Patrick Carrigan, Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam either already signed off on, or in the works.

Even with the NRL salary cap rising to $11.25 million next year ($11.65 million including various allowances), a cap crunch looms.

More than a few good judges see Brisbane in a similar position to Penrith at the start of their now annual grand final roll-up. Since 2020, the Panthers have lost at least two key figures from each grand final they’ve played in, with their standing and stature increasing each time.

Josh Mansour and James Tamou leaving three years ago morphed into Matt Burton and Kurt Capewell, then Api Koroisau and Viliame Kikau – 2022’s best hooker and back-rower.

Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu follow after one more game for their junior club, while Jarome Luai continues to weigh up his options, and potentially, life beyond Penrith after 2024.

In the past four seasons, Panthers football boss Matt Cameron has led the same delicate salary-cap dance Brisbane are already staring down.

The difference though, is the healthy extensions looming for Walsh and Mam, two of this year’s best-value-for-money players across the entire competition.

Walsh earns about $450,000 this year. Talks around a lengthy extension have been flagged for the post-season, and Brisbane will be getting the game’s most marketable star for a steal if they can keep his price around the $1 million mark.

Mam, too, is looking at a wage – about $320,000 this season – that more than doubles when brought into line with a $700,000-$750,000 market value.

Haas and Carrigan are both in the final year of their previous deals, with around $400,000 bump-ups for each star forward to roll over next year after signing until the end of 2026 (Haas) and 2028 (Carrigan).

Until a lucrative extension for next season, Dylan Edwards was arguably the best value-for-money player in the NRL.Credit: Getty

While the Broncos are at the start of a potential regular run at the title, Penrith have bagged two premierships before their own best bargains in Dylan Edwards ($500,000) and Liam Martin ($400,000 until last season) earned significant upgrades for 2024.

Brisbane have already lost Herbie Farnworth and Tom Flegler to cross-city rivals the Dolphins for next season.

Star halfback Adam Reynolds is being lined up for an extra season in 2025 before potentially shifting into coaching, while Jordan Riki and Brendan Piakura (both off-contract in 2024), Selwyn Cobbo, Kotoni Staggs and highly rated young prop Xavier Willison (2025) make up their next slew of potential poaching targets.

While Staggs is one of the highest-paid centres in the game, Cobbo, Riki and Piukora are all stars on the rise that Brisbane have already fought off rivals for during their last contract talks.

Cobbo especially can expect to have the fullback position dangled in front of him just as Canterbury did to lure Crichton to Belmore next season.

Just like Penrith, Brisbane’s grand final side has been sourced in its own backyard, with 14 of the game-day 17 graduating from the club’s academy.

Just like Penrith, though, keeping as many as possible, and winning premierships at the same time, is a challenge all on its own.

Watch the NRL Grand Final Exclusive Live and Free on Channel 9 and 9Now.

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