NRL 2023 Season Review: Brisbane Broncos
For a 10-minute period in the grand final, Brisbane appeared to have ended their 17-year premiership drought thanks to a brilliant Ezra Mam hat-trick against the Panthers. However, what followed was a devastating end to a fantastic season for the Broncos, with a masterclass from the ages from Nathan Cleary ending their title hopes, coming back in historic fashion to win 26-24 in the decider.
Despite the pain of the loss, it was a fantastic year for the team, demonstrating the extraordinary reversal of fortunes under head coach and premiership legend, Kevin Walters.
Brisbane came from outside the top-eight to win the Provan-Summons Trophy after a wooden spoon in 2020 and another bottom-four result in Walters’ first season in charge.
With several promising young stars in the backline and some of the greatest strikers in the competition at their disposal, the team currently appears to be well-positioned to become a serious force for the rest of this decade.
In 2022, did the Brisbane Broncos over-deliver or under-deliver?
While our own pre-season forecasts had them set for a strong year, the general rugby league fanbase did not anticipate the Broncos to reach the heights that they did, therefore it’s safe to say they OVER-DELIVERED.
After missing the finals for three years in a row, including a disastrous 16th-place finish under Anthony Seibold, Brisbane have built one of the better rosters in the NRL, balancing youth and experience.
Their overwhelming Week 1 finals victory against the Storm was one of the best performances in the club’s illustrious history, and their prelim victory over the Warriors was equally spectacular.
While they might have fallen agonisingly short of lifting the trophy at Accor Stadium on the October long weekend, their entire squad can hold their heads high after what was a tremendous season at Red Hill.
When did it fall apart for the Brisbane Broncos in 2023?
Leading by 16 points heading into the back-end of the NRL decider against Penrith, it looked as though the Broncos were cruising towards a drought-breaking victory.
Unfortunately, the heroics of Cleary in the final 18 minutes on Sunday night, which saw him set up two tries before crossing for the match winner under the posts with four minutes remaining, was the stuff of legend.
While the praise will undoubtedly be heaped onto the Panthers captain, the game-management in the dying stages from the Broncos was extremely disappointing.
Adam Reynolds, who was brought to the club to instil a calming influence in the No.7 jumper, came up with some disappointing plays and failed to get the Broncos over the line, while some others missed their assignments.
“If the Broncos get to the grand final and win, they have justification there and Reynolds has been unbelievable this year,” Braith Anasta said on NRL 360.
“If you actually do watch the game, one or the other halfback had to stand up and Adam didn’t.”
After the damaging extra-time defeat against the Cowboys in the 2015 grand final, Brisbane fans deserved this result to go their way after so many years of heartache.
Mam’s scintillating three tries were all in vain and it will be a long off-season for Walters and his squad to overcome the mental demons that come with such a result.
The best period to be a Brisbane Broncos fan in 2023
It’s hard to single out any period in particular for the Broncos this year, with their entire campaign full of highlights thanks to the likes of Mam, Reynolds, Reece Walsh, Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan leading the charge.
However, their two finals victories gave a glimpse into what premiership success could taste like.
In the first weekend of September, Brisbane were able to blow off a long-standing heavyweight in Melbourne off the park with a 26-0 shutout at Suncorp Stadium, taking it to the side like few others have done for the past 20 years.
After earning a week off, the side got off to a shaky start in their grand final qualifier against the Warriors but were able to overcome the emotional rise of Andrew Webster’s side to secure the 42-12 win in front of a raucous crowd.
Shining light: Reece Walsh
As difficult a task as it might be to single out any one player from the Broncos following their 2023 season, the performances of new recruit Walsh in the fullback role were incredible.
The 21-year-old returned to the Broncos on a cut-price deal considering his enormous potential and played well above his wage, helping orchestrate a top-four finish and grand final berth for the side.
Walsh’s mix of pace, toughness and playmaking ability made him a threat across the park, tearing opposition defence’s apart at will throughout the 27 rounds and finals series.
The speedster also shone in the State of Origin arena, forcing his way into the Maroons lineup and dominating the Blues across the first two games.
While there is still plenty of upside for Walsh and his best football ahead of him, the fullback has become a genuine superstar in the space of 12 months and will now be the marquee man for the Broncos over the next decade.
