The Brisbane Broncos have been criticized for overpaying young players based on their potential, which has left the team with significant gaps in their roster, especially among veteran forwards. Barry Maranta, one of the club’s founding directors and a former chairman, believes the Broncos need to take inspiration from Wayne Bennett’s recruitment strategy and bring in more experienced, tough forwards. Maranta argues that relying too heavily on young players is a flawed approach and that the team needs to strike a balance by adding veterans with proven track records, especially in the forward pack.
Maranta, in an interview with AAP, highlighted that the Broncos’ current strategy focuses too much on players who are 20 or 21 years old, which is not enough when competing against more seasoned 28 or 29-year-olds. He suggested that Brisbane may have spent too much money on young players with potential, rather than investing in veteran players who have the experience to lead the team in high-pressure situations. Maranta reflected on his own experiences owning both the Broncos and the London Broncos, admitting that while there is always a temptation to pay for potential, successful teams usually invest in players with proven resumes. According to him, the Broncos need to prioritize recruiting veteran players who have the grit and toughness to win premierships, rather than banking on younger players who are still developing.
The Broncos’ roster includes several promising young forwards such as Ben Te Kura (20), Brendan Piakura (22), Jordan Riki (24), and Xavier Willison (22), along with more established players like Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan. However, Maranta believes the team lacks intimidating figures like the club’s former legends such as Tonie Carroll, Peter Ryan, Trevor Gillmeister, Glenn Lazarus, Shane Webcke, Gorden Tallis, and Brad Thorn. While current player Kurt Capewell fits the mold of a “hard head,” Maranta feels that there aren’t enough players like him in the squad. He emphasized the need for the Broncos to recruit players who can bring an intimidating presence to the field, much like the key forwards Bennett used to assemble during his time with the team.
Maranta also praised Bennett’s recent efforts with the Dolphins, where the coach has managed to put together a forward pack of veteran players despite initial skepticism about his recruitment choices. According to Maranta, Bennett’s success with the Dolphins serves as an example for the Broncos to follow. He lamented the loss of Herbie Farnworth, a talented player who left the Broncos, calling it one of the team’s biggest mistakes. Bennett, who managed to sign Farnworth for the Dolphins, succeeded partly because he had the financial resources to do so. Maranta believes that if the Broncos want to replicate Bennett’s success, they need to be willing to invest in veteran players rather than focusing solely on potential.
Despite these criticisms, Maranta expressed confidence in the Broncos’ current coach, Kevin Walters, stating that he believes Walters is capable of turning things around. However, he stressed that Walters needs to surround his young players with seasoned veterans to complement their talent. Maranta remains optimistic about the future of the Broncos but reiterated that the team needs to adjust its recruitment strategy to achieve long-term success.
Walters, on the other hand, seems less concerned about the team’s roster composition. When asked about potential offseason recruitment, he expressed confidence in the talent already present within the squad. Walters believes the Broncos have enough skilled players and that the challenge lies in getting them to work together effectively. He pointed out that the team had been missing five starters, amounting to $4 million in sidelined talent, which impacted their recent performances. Walters acknowledged the need for improvement but remained hopeful that the team could bounce back by working more cohesively.
However, Brisbane’s issues may run deeper than just recruitment. The Broncos’ poor defensive performance has drawn criticism from analysts like Matty Johns and Nathan Hindmarsh, particularly after their 50-12 defeat to the Melbourne Storm. Johns pointed out that the team’s defensive efforts appeared lazy at times, with players lacking focus and energy in crucial moments. Hindmarsh echoed this sentiment, stating that the Broncos’ defensive problems stem from individual attitudes rather than coaching. He emphasized that players need to take personal responsibility for their defensive efforts, noting that fundamental errors, such as poor positioning and footwork, were contributing to their struggles.
Despite the heavy criticism, some analysts believe that the Broncos’ struggles can be partly attributed to injuries and the toll of having several players involved in State of Origin duties. Nathan Hindmarsh suggested that these factors have contributed to the team’s decline but expressed optimism that they would recover once their key players return to full fitness. Bryan Fletcher, another commentator, also pointed out that the Broncos’ defensive issues have been a recurring problem throughout the year, and that they need to address these concerns if they hope to return to form.
If Walters does decide to make changes to the squad, it will likely involve prioritizing a tougher defensive mindset and bringing in experienced players who can lead by example. While the team has shown flashes of brilliance, their inconsistency and defensive lapses have left them vulnerable in key moments. For the Broncos to compete at the highest level, they will need to find a way to blend their youthful potential with the hard-nosed experience that has traditionally been the foundation of premiership-winning teams.
