The Broncos entered the 2016 season as red hot favourites to capture NRL glory.
They came oh so agonisingly close in 2015 when a Johnathan Thurston field goal in golden point extra time sealed one of the most dramatic Grand Finals of all time.
Just moments before, the Broncos looked set to return to premiership glory, only for the Cowboys to level the scores just seconds before the fulltime siren sounded.
Given the heartbreak of 2015’s decision, and the addition of former Titan’s flyer James Roberts, most predicted the Broncos would almost run away with the title in 2016.
Although they did have yet another brilliant season under Wayne Bennett, ultimately they were again beaten by the Cowboys and fell two games short of a second straight Grand Final appearance.
With club, Origin and Kangaroos legend Corey Parker retiring, combined with another year in the legs of the likes of Sam Thaiday, and the fact that Ben Hunt has already decided that his future lay away from the club, has the Broncos premiership window shut?
The short answer is no, but I can’t see the Broncos having a better chance to capture the title than they did coming into 2016.
They had the players, the tactician coach, and the motivation and to run over all who stood in their way, but they fell just short.
That’s not having a go at the Broncos by any stretch. They took the Cowboys to the limit in a second week semi-final in a game they very easily could have won. From there, anything can happen.
Although, as previously mentioned, Ben Hunt has signed with the Dragons from 2018 onwards, there is close to no chance that Wayne Bennett will allow his number seven to focus on anything other than leading another Broncos title tilt.
His halves partner, Anthony Milford, is one of the most exciting and talented players in the game.
With Johnathan Thurston retiring from rep football at the end of the World Cup, Milford is behind perhaps only Michael Morgan in the race to take over the soon-to-be vacant number six jumper at state and national level.
That motivation, combined with another pre-season at five-eighth will make Milford an even more dangerous player, which is frightening.
Darius Boyd is playing the best footy of his career. After a few lean years at the Knights, Boyd’s return to the Broncos has coincided with the ultimate career revival.
He has now overcome Greg Inglis as the number one choice at number one for both the Maroons and Kangaroos.
Although Inglis’s ability to play in the centres makes it a far easier decision, Boyd is the genuine first choice option. He also has an outstanding record at rep level playing on the wing.
James Roberts, who probably had an underwhelming 2016, should be chomping at the bit to return to the footy field as soon as possible. He will play in the nines competition, which is a huge surprise, although given his off-field troubles, a return to footy is probably the best option.
He is joined by close friend David Mead, reuniting their successful partnership that saw Roberts become a star on the Gold Coast.
Jordan Kahu and Corey Oats will form an all-representative partnership on the opposite flank, giving the Broncos two very dangerous avenues to attack from.
Josh McGuire has become a first class prop forward, while Adam Blair has himself has a career revival under Wayne Bennett in Broncos colours.
Sam Thaiday seems to have the keys to Neverland and refuses to age. Matt Gillett is probably the most underrated second rower in the world.
Andrew McCullough didn’t exceed expectations in 2016 but remains a very good player. I expect him to return to his best going forward.
Across the park, the Broncos are in good shape to launch another title raid. The bookies tend to agree, with the Broncos within the top three of four favourites across the major sites.
Their trump card may very well be the man sitting in the stands calling the shots. He will have to be at his crafty best as the Broncos look to cover the loss of the super inspirational Parker.
You’d be crazy, or far braver than myself, to write the Broncos off in 2017, but given the improvements in the likes of the Raiders, and Panthers, and the loss of Parker, the path to the title seems to be littered with far more roadblocks than there was heading into 2016.
