The recruiting gamble that could bite the Broncos

With the Broncos looking towards experience towards next season, Robert Craddock has expressed some concerns over their signings for next season.

Their premiership defence has been an unsuccessful one, with the Broncos having lost nine of their last ten games, seeing them sit 14th on the ladder.

But with some key losses at season's end, there are worries that it could get worse for Brisbane next season.

Heading into 2027, the Broncos will miss current captain Adam Reynolds, who announced his retirement at the end of this season; reigning club best and fairest Payne Haas, who will reunite with Wayne Bennett at South Sydney; and Jesse Arthars, Gehamat Shibasaki and Grant Anderson also leaving.

So far, the reigning premiers have brought in NSW and Australian representative Mitch Barnett from the Warriors as the Haas replacement.

But beyond that, the Broncos have had question marks around some of their other recruits, such as 35-year-old Newcastle centre Dane Gagai alongside the re-signing 36-year-old Ben Hunt, which was criticised by SEN’s Corey Parker with Craddock sharing his assessment.

“No Haas, no Reynolds and Ben Hunt is existing on fumes at the moment,” Craddock said on SENQ Breakfast.

“Now, I've loved him as a player, Corey, but on this particular issue, I agree with what you said. Next season is a season too long; it really is.

“And (Dane) Gagai, we all love his competitiveness. (But) to come back at age 35 (with) what’s he got left it is a gamble.”

But as Craddock notes, the issues at Red Hill go beyond who is on the list, having faced plenty of struggles in attack this season.

“The Broncos are an interesting study,” he added.

“I still hear people say, their attackers could still be this.

“Hang on a minute, last year in attack they were ranked 2nd, now they’re 16th. Tries last year, 3rd, now they’re 15th. Post-contact metres, 17th this year.

“Here’s one, and I’ll just stop and say this slowly: line breaks last year, 1st this year, 14th.

“I mean, they’ve lost that attacking sting.”

The Broncos host the Knights at Suncorp Stadium this Saturday night.

SEN will have live coverage of the match on SENQ, SEN Track Atherton, Ingham, Rockhampton and Darling Downs and on the SEN app with Broncos Radio from 7pm AEST. Kick-off is at 7:35pm.