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.
5. Deine Mariner
Deine Mariner has long been viewed at Red Hill as a genuine future star. His sharp footwork, acceleration and ability to turn half chances into tries make him a nightmare for opposition edges. In 2025, that attacking potency earned him representative honours for Samoa national rugby league team, confirming the high regard in which he's held.
Mariner brings speed and strike power every time the Broncos give him clean ball. He's one of the club's most natural finishers and has the instincts to punish defensive lapses with minimal space.
Why his role is so important if Brisbane want to go back-to-back
- His speed and footwork make him a lethal finisher capable of swinging momentum.
- His ability to capitalise on half chances adds an extra edge to Brisbane's attack.
- His continued development adds reliability and punch to the Broncos' edge game.
- Confidence, defensive maturity and aggression will be key as teams target him more heavily.
Key areas of focus for 2026
- Sharpening defensive reads and one-on-one tackling, especially late in games.
- Building physical aggression to match his attacking flair.
- Continuing to mature as a week-to-week performer.
- Maintaining top-end speed and durability across the season.
- Developing aerial and contested ball skills to round out his game.
If Mariner continues to evolve in these areas, he can elevate from a dangerous young finisher to one of the most feared wingers or centres in the NRL — and a key figure in Brisbane's push for back-to-back titles.
