The Brisbane Broncos should come into the 2026 NRL season as one of the most settled squads, having taken out the premiership last season.
But ‘should' is the operative word in this instance.
With youngsters banging the door down, a key injury, and veterans heading towards the end of their careers with fitness questions lingering, there are still plenty of big issues for Michael Maguire as he looks to create his own dynasty at Red Hill.
Here are the big selection questions which will shape the pre-season at the Broncos.
» Broncos current Best 17, 2026 squad
What happens in the outside backs?
The Broncos outside backs were a real question mark at times throughout the course of the 2025 campaign, although things were settled throughout the finals series.
That magical four-week run for the Broncos saw Jesse Arthars totally fall out of the picture, while Josiah Karapani, Gehamat Shibasaki, Kotoni Staggs and Deine Mariner became the four wingers and centres.
Arthars isn't out of the mix for 2026 though. His try-scoring form early in 2025 was outstanding.
The equation becomes trickier too with the arrival of Grant Anderson from the Melbourne Storm, with the fringe first-grader able to play either centre or wing, and impressing during his time in the Victorian capital.
Shibasaki and Staggs are, without doubt, going to be featuring, and both likely in the centres, while the wing spots are far more up in the air.
Maguire is likely to stick with the players who got the job done in the finals, but pressure will be on performance early in the campaign.
Not being a Queenslander, I’ve never taken any real interest in the Bronco’s squad.
It’s an eye-opener to see the problems facing Madge.