Ins
John Asiata (North Queensland Cowboys, 2021), Dale Copley (Gold Coast Titans, 2021), David Mead (Catalan Dragons, 2021), Isaiah Tass (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 2021)
Outs
Jack Bird (St George Illawarra Dragons), Darius Boyd (retired), David Fifita (Gold Coast Titans), Sean O'Sullivan (New Zealand Warriors), Joe Ofahengaue (Wests Tigers), Izaia Perese (rugby union)
In two words; not good. In one word; Awful! The Broncos 'enjoyed' their worst season in the club's existence in 2020. In fact the only positive for the former super club comes in that the season was only 20 rounds and the pain was over sooner than it could have been.
The Anthony Seibold era at the Broncos can best be described using the Benny Hill theme music. The fact this was allowed to drag on for so long is laughable. Finally the Broncos made the decision we all knew was coming for many months, allowing the club to move forward.
All the Broncos big stars (not named Payne) undelivered. Milford was a shell of his former self, Boyd tried hard but played one year too long, Teo returned a shell of himself and Jack Bird couldn't even get on the field.
The less said about last year the better.
Whenever you lose a player with the potential and ability of David Fifita, recruitment talk is always going to be negative. The Broncos lost their future superstar to their 'little brother' and I still don't entirely understand how or why.
Throw in former Origin prop Joe Ofahengaue, club captain Darius Boyd and former Origin utility Jack Bird and that's a collective loss that is going to sting.
That said, Bird and Ofahengaue weren't justifying their pay packets (for various reasons) and Boyd's best days were well behind him. The Fifita loss, however, will be felt for many years to come.
John Asiata is probably the only signing of any great note. He'll find his way into plenty of Game Day squads in 2021 but is hardly the signing that will cool fans following the big loss. Copley and Mead return to the squad as filler. Isaiah Tass has 18 minutes of NRL to his name but looks a talent.
See Zero Tackle's own Dan Nichols over at Rugby League Outlaws
No stand-out fullback option: The predicted line up for the Round 1 Broncos seems to feature a different fullback depending on the day. With Boyd retiring and Jack Bird moving on, the fullback role is up for grabs. Unfortunately for Kevin Walters there doesn't seem to be a host of candidates banging down the door either.
Tesi Niu is the option I'd like to see run out in the number one first up, however Jamayne Isaako is supposedly winning the race. Xavier Coates is another option, however looks to be a weapon on the wing after his efforts for Queensland.
It's not ideal to be a month out from kick off and you're yet to have a standout number one.
Can Milford bounce back?: I went on record in early 2020 in saying that Milford would have a huge season and return to the Origin arena. Unfortunately for the Broncs he was more suited for QLD Cup than QLD representation after a horror season.
Milford has all the tools to return to his match-winning best this year. He looks in incredible shape in pre-season training photos and all reports are he's focused and chomping at the bit. As one of the most entertaining players in the game, I hope he can re-find his form.
For the Broncos, if they're any chance of making an impression this year, their star number six MUST be back at his brilliant best.
New coach, new fortunes?: I've said it before and I have no qualms saying it again here; the Seibold saga descended into an absolute farce in 2020. The club allowed the situation to take over and ruin their season instead of making a decision and moving on.
Kevin Walters, a Broncos legend, is now at the helm which ends any speculation, and excuses. The Broncos are now united and have a vision moving forward under the former Origin coach.
This can only be a positive moving forward.
16th
Nothing about this Broncos side screams "Top Eight". If anything the side has less quality than it did in 2020, while Payne Haas will be on the sidelines for the opening three weeks.
Kevin Walters has a monster job ahead of him. He was a brilliant footballer but I worry the task at hand may be beyond him. His walking out of a tense press conference earlier this month signalled alarm bells for a coach who is likely to be under pressure from day dot.
Don't get me wrong, there is a ridiculous amount of talent within this squad. Milford should be in the competition's elite but had a woeful 2020. Fans will hope the fact this is a contract year might see him re-find the form that made him must watch.
Issako, Coates, Niu, Turpin and Farnworth are all super exciting prospects. Throw in the returning Andrew McCullough and the monster Tevita Pangai Jr and this side should be one which is going places.
That said, they don't have a standout option at one, their halves enter 2021 with more questions than answers, McCullough looks set to move to the Dragons, their bench looks thrown together and I'm not sure Walters is the right choice.
I'm always happy to be wrong but I'd be downright shocked if the Broncos play finals footy in 2021. I see 15 better sides than them.