2019 Season Preview: Brisbane Broncos

A new coach will lead the Broncos into 2019.

Can he take an incredible crop of young forwards to the promised land?

2019 Gains

Thomas Dearden (2019), Shaun Fensom (North Queensland Cowboys, 2019), Thomas Flegler (2019), Sean O'Sullivan (Sydney Roosters, 2020), Myles Taueli (2019)

2019 Losses

Josh McGuire (North Queensland Cowboys), Tom Opacic (North Queensland Cowboys), Jonus Pearson (St George Illawarra Dragons), Marion Seve (Melbourne Storm), Korbin Sims (St George Illawarra Dragons), Sam Thaiday (retired)

2018 Recap

The Broncos had an up and down 2018 but ultimately qualified for the finals by a comfortable margin having finished in 6th position.

What happened in the Suncorp hosted contest against the Dragons will surely have shocked nearly everyone after they were played off the park to the tone of a 48-18 loss.

The thumping loss brought an end to a season where the Broncs probably underperformed. It also brought to an end the reign of Wayne Bennett as head honcho at Red Hill.

Star signing Jack Bird failed to justify his price tag, although the Broncos unleashed a crop of young forwards who could dominate the landscape for the next decade.

Best Recruit: Anthony Seibold

With all due respect, the Broncos incoming players aren't likely to challenge the status quo in terms of a run on spot. Fensom may snag a bench spot down the line and Sean O'Sullivan has loads of potential.

The Broncos biggest signing comes in the form of incoming coach Anthony Seibold.

Brisbane played finals footy last season but were never really in the Premiership race discussion.

Wayne Bennett, for all his achievements, became a distraction in 2018. The constant speculation surrounding his future became farcical at times.

Seibold's arrival provides a new vision, one I believe the Broncos will benefit from greatly.

Brisbane Broncos in 2019, where do they finish?

— 🍍 Fkn Haaaaiiillll 🍒 (@suthodan) January 10, 2019

Future Star/One To Watch: David Fifita

This could be any one of a list of young forwards such as Payne Haas or Jayden Su'A but for mine, David Fifita is the cream of a very talented crop.

The 18-year-old burst onto the scene in a big way in 2018 justifying the massive hype that his efforts in the lower grades have generated.

At only 18 year's of age, Fifita will be pushing 110 kilos of muscle when he comes off the bench in the Broncos opening game of the season.

The first player to debut after being born in the 2000s, Fifita is set for a break out 2019 to say the very least.

Star Player: Anthony Milford

The Broncos run on 13 contains some serious talent. Darius Boyd is a genuine star, while their centres Bird and Roberts have try-scoring talent in spades.

Their forward pack is the most talked about in the game, headlined by Matt Gillett and Pangai Jr, but it is their star number six who will again be required to be the club's main man.

Milford's overall game continued to develop in 2018, with his kicking game producing a massive improvement. He now looks, in every aspect, a genuine star half.

Milford and Nikorima's partnership will be key to any success the Broncos enjoy in 2019, with Milford looked upon to produce the highlights and points.

There are few more exciting players in the game and given the rate he continues to get even better, there are soon to be few bigger stars either. I have a feeling 2019 will be his year.

Recruitment Grade: C-

The Broncos have their starting 13 and then some from their 2018 squad. Truth be told they didn't really need to recruit big and they haven't.

Fensom is a clever signing and will provide an experienced head in a young forward pack. He won't have any trouble putting in the hard yards either when called upon.

Sean O'Sullivan is a future star and could play a big role at some stage, however early on there doesn't seem to be a whole lot coming in that will feature in the top 17 in the early rounds.

Prediction: 4th

The Broncos have a side capable of challenging for the Premiership in 2019. I don't see any reason why they won't be in the top four race or better this year.

Seibold's arrival ends any off-field distractions that may have had an effect in 2018. There are no excuses.

Milford is a genuine megastar of the game. He will play behind one of the game's elite forward packs and has a backline chock full of try-scoring ability.

The returning Matt Gillett makes this side even more dangerous. He will lead a pack containing the names Lodge, Glenn, Pangai Jr, Su'A, Fifita, Haas and Ofahengaue. Scary stuff.

Jack Bird is fit and looks in far better shape than at any time during 2018. If he finds his 2016/17 form, he and Roberts are the game's most dangerous centre pairing.

Kodi Nikorima shapes as a key. If he plays his best footy, the Broncos will challenge for the top four.

With the future of the club decided and a side packed with talent, I can't see anything other than a very comfortable top-eight finish, with a serious push for a top-four spot.