As the 2024 NRL premiership season draws closer, The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis weighs in on which player at every club needs a big 2024.
In this iteration, Carayannis looks at which players from the Brisbane Broncos and Wests Tigers are under the most pressure to perform.
Brisbane Broncos
Brendan Piakura
“He’s been among the ‘next big things’ for a while now,” Caraynnis told SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“Every club wanted to sign him a few years back.
“Last year, we saw glimpses of that potential and a consistent run of form.
“Now, with Kurt Capewell leaving the Broncos, he will start in the back row alongside Jordan Riki.
“Piakura is way more dynamic than Capewell.
“So now you have two young guys in the back row. The Broncos have invested all this time over the years for this exact moment.
“There’s no doubt that he has a ridiculous amount of talent and he can make an impact but there’s questions over whether he can do it over the season.
“Can he play 80 minutes and pump out 80 minutes regularly?
“He could compliment that Broncos forward pack who are arguably still the best in the competition.”
Wests Tigers
Jayden Sullivan
“He has come through the grades as a child prodigy and destined to be a long-term first grader,” Carayannis continued.
“Sullivan joins the Wests Tigers on the back of hamstring injuries from the Dragons.
“You speak to people from the Dragons who say that he lacked dedication and commitment to his training at times which may have contributed to those injuries.
“It may have hindered him in becoming the elite professional that he needed to be.
“The Tigers have invested heavily in him with a four-year deal worth $500,000.
“The Dragons aren’t chipping in a dollar and the shadow of Jarome Luai looms.
“The race is on now to partner Luai long-term and I don’t know if Sullivan gets first crack.
“He’s not at the crossroads yet but he’s getting to that point.
“He didn’t show he was ready to be a consistent first grader at the Dragons (but) now he has a chance.”
The Tigers have the bye in the opening round whilst the Broncos travel to Las Vegas to take on the Sydney Roosters at Allegiant Stadium.