The Brisbane Broncos ended a 19-year premiership drought by clinching the 2025 NRL Grand Final.

But winning one is one thing. Maintaining dominance is another. To defend their title and stay at the top, several key players will need to take their performances up another notch. These are five Broncos whose individual improvement will be vital to Brisbane's 2026 campaign.

3. Brendan Piakura

Brendan Piakura is one of the most aggressive edge forwards in the competition. His enforcer mentality has made him a crowd favourite at Suncorp, with some of the biggest hits of the 2025 season coming from his edge. That aggression gives Brisbane a genuine intimidator in their forward pack, something every premiership contender needs.

But for Piakura to take the next step, timing and technique will be crucial. His willingness to put his body on the line has resulted in several head knocks over the last two seasons. If he can maintain that aggression while improving his control, he could become one of the most feared edge defenders in the game.

Why his role is so important if Brisbane want to go back-to-back

  • Piakura's aggression sets the tone for the Broncos' defensive line. When he's flying out of the line with control, the entire defensive unit lifts.
  • He can physically dominate opposition edges, creating pressure and forcing errors.
  • A disciplined, fitter Piakura adds balance to a pack that already has elite middle strength through Patrick Carrigan and Payne Haas.
  • His presence makes Brisbane's right edge far more dangerous both with and without the ball.

Key areas of focus for 2026

  • Improving tackle timing and technique to reduce the risk of head knocks and penalties.
  • Maintaining his elite line running and physical presence but doing it more consistently.
  • Staying on the park for longer periods and avoiding time out through injury or HIA protocols.
  • Bringing more controlled aggression to create pressure without overcommitting defensively.
  • Increasing his carries and impact when Brisbane need to win field position on tough sets.

If Piakura hits his full potential, the Broncos become even more potent. His controlled aggression could turn him into the kind of edge forward that shifts momentum in big games.