Johns: The player that can help the Broncos 'bounce back' in 2027

With the Brisbane Broncos' season coming to an end on Thursday night, Matty Johns has named the new addition that could help the club bounce back to the top half of the ladder.

It’s been a disappointing premiership defence by the Broncos, who finished the season with eight wins, seeing them sit in the bottom four of the ladder.

With their season now concluding following their 34-20 win over the Bulldogs, the Broncos’ attention has already turned to 2027 in what shapes as a make-or-break year for Michael Maguire.

Going into the final year of his contract, the two-time premiership-winning coach will lose 6x Paul Morgan Medallist Payne Haas to South Sydney and starting halfback and captain Adam Reynolds will be among the most notable losses.

To replace those key losses, the club has brought in NSW and Australian representative Mitch Barnett as Haas’ replacement, with former Bronco Dane Gagai returning to his former side from Newcastle for what is likely his final season in the NRL.

They’ll also have Jonah Pezet joining the Red Hill-based club.

Having signed in 2025 from the Melbourne Storm, he was viewed as the likely successor to Reynolds in the halfback position.

And if they are to jump back into finals and once again be premiership contenders, the 1997 Premiership player believes the Eels’ five-eighth holds the keys to a potential rise up the ladder in 2027.   

“One of the things he has done (is that) when they signed Dane Gagai and, to a lesser extent, Mitch Barnett, people went ‘Errr, players at that point in their career?’” Johns told SEN’s Morning Glory with Matty Johns.

“They probably need that next year. They need that bit of experience and leadership.

“The big one's gonna be Jonah Pezet. If you talk about it, how quickly can the Broncos bounce back, a lot of that is gonna do with Jonah.

“For him to go and be the player they want him to be, it's been a very difficult season this year. He hasn't been able to stay on the field a lot; he's had a lot of injuries.

“He couldn't quite find his combination with Mitchell Moses, but (it's a) big season next year for him.”

But despite being viewed as Reynolds’ replacement when his signing was announced last season, Pezet will face plenty of competition for the No. 7 jersey.

Having signed a one-year contract, Ben Hunt has expressed his desire to change roles from hooker to halfback, having played the majority of his career.

Thomas Duffy has also proven to be a capable No. 7, having taken those reins in the last couple of weeks whilst Reynolds has been out with a calf injury.

As a result, Denan Kemp is unsure whether Pezet will walk straight into a starting spot.

“Well, the thing is Ben Hunt has said that he wants the jersey,” the former Broncos winger said.

“In regard to the halves, honestly, right now it is Ben Hunt, and it is Ezra Mam.

“Duffy is (a) good back-up. He's got a lot to learn.

“Pezet for me, I've always felt that I don't wanna say overhyped (because) it's a negative kind of connotation.

“Just there was a lot of noise around him when he hadn't actually played that much first grade.”