After entering the 2016 season as red hot favourites to avenge their 2015 Grand Final loss and return the trophy to Brisbane, defeat at the hands of the Cowboys again ended their dreams.
The departure of club, state and international legend Corey Parker means the Broncos enter 2017 with one less star, just as they did in 2016 following the retirement of Justin Hodges, yet they do so hardly lacking star power.
Anthony Milford confirmed himself as one of the game’s elite playmakers after a second straight brilliant season in the halves, while Darius Boyd became the game’s best number one.
With names like Hunt, McCullough, Thaiday, McGuire, Roberts, Oates, Gillett and Glenn thrown in, this is a Broncos side perhaps capable of bettering their run in 2016 and perhaps even 2015.
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Weakness: Prop power
The retirement of Corey Parker will likely lead to Josh McGuire’s moving into the vacated lock position, leaving Korbin Sims and Adam Blair to fulfil starting front row duties.
Both players have plenty of pedigree, with youngsters Joe Ofahengaue and Tevita Pangai Jr providing the rotation, but they don’t match the likes of the Roosters, Sharks or Storm in this department.
This is not a bad prop rotation by any stretch, but neither Sims nor Blair is able to routinely blast a side apart in the mould of a Fifita or Bromwich.
McGuire will likely play like a prop from lock and may end up back in the eight or 10 by mid-season, but if there is a weakness in this Broncos outfit, it looks up the middle.
Strength: Try-scoring potential from anywhere
Opposition defences will never be able to clock off, even for a second, against the Broncos in 2017.
With the likes of Milford, Boyd, Oates and Roberts lurking, this Broncos side can blast a side to pieces from literally anywhere on the park.
The big men’s ability to create second phase play will have a big say this season, as there are few more dangerous in those conditions than the Broncos.
It’s fairly safe to say that Roberts will break away and score a lengthy try at some point in 2017, while Oates and Kahu are always dangerous. Milford, of course, can cut any side to shreds at any time.
Best Player: Anthony Milford
This is a tough call between Milford and Darius Boyd, however, Milford’s form will have the greater bearing on the Broncos fortunes in 2017.
Despite a horror start to his life in the number six, Milford has been magical in the past two seasons in his role.
In 2016 he produced 13 tries, 16 try assists, 15 line breaks and pulled the pants down of many opposition defenders whilst doing so.
If he can produce those sorts of numbers again this season, he can go a long way to putting his name alongside Michael Morgan’s in terms of replacing Thurston come seasons end at rep level.
Pressure On: Ben Hunt
The Broncos number six is in both an enviable yet unenviable position as he enters the 2017 season.
Unenviable due to the fact that he knows his future lies elsewhere after having signed a contract with the Dragons from 2018 onwards, yet enviable in that the money and security he signed to receive is eye and mouth-watering.
Broncos fans will expect nothing but the best from their number seven. If his form slips, calls will be made to dump him and focus on the future.
He is, by far, the best number seven at the Broncos, and has the experience and composure to not allow outside pressures to get to him, but even the best of players have dips in form, and any such moment for Hunt will be multiplied due to circumstance.
Prediction: 7th
For all the incredible talent on display, and there is a plethora, there are just as many questions for the Broncos.
How can they replace the output in both attack and defensive, not to mention experience and goal kicking ability, of Corey Parker?
Can Ben Hunt put a huge contract at the Dragons starting next season out of his mind and focus on 2017?
Is James Roberts able to overcome yet another off-field distraction and become the superstar player we all know he can?
What role will Benji Marshall play, if any in 2017? Are Korbin Sims and Adam Blair able to match the more fancied front row partnerships across 26 rounds?
There are too many questions to predict a top four finish, but I can’t see this side missing the finals either.
