BY CURTIS WOODWARD

Brisbane Broncos
Coach: Wayne Bennett
Pre-season: Auckland Nines February 4th and 5th, v Cowboys February 11th, v Sea Eagles February 18th

 
What they’ll get right: It won’t be hard for the Broncos to find momentum considering their ridiculous Thursday/Friday night bonanza. They usually start and finish the season well and that should see them sneak into the playoffs again. Whether they’re high enough on the table to have a real crack at the title is anyone’s guess.

What they’ll get wrong: James Roberts should be sacked immediately if the latest reports are correct. Enough is enough. That also means there’s another spot in the backline but you’d be a brave man to throw Benji Marshall straight in the deep end at centre. I have fears Benji’s career hangs on whether or not he can handle centre. Best off playing him from the bench and use him sparingly.

It’s a big year for: People in Sydney say Bennett doesn’t want Ben Hunt, everyone else says Hunt is Bennett’s guy. He still needs a big season to put the nightmares of 2015 behind him with a Dally M season.

Ben Hunt's at it this morning! #bronxnation pic.twitter.com/HK1cI676Ud

— Brisbane Broncos (@brisbanebroncos) January 6, 2017

Most improved: Tom Opacic

MVP: Anthony Milford

Most consistent: Darius Boyd

Broncos player James Roberts has returned to training despite the NRL investigation over an alleged assault. @NatJohnWallace9 #9News pic.twitter.com/SNxumMmmWF

— 9News Gold Coast (@9NewsGoldCoast) January 18, 2017

 
Prediction – 7th
Always a heavyweight contender for the premiership but there’s plenty of teams that have improved and surpassed the Broncos since they appeared in the 2015 grand final.

 
Possible team:
1 Darius Boyd
2 Corey Oates
3 Jordan Kahu
4 Tom Opacic/James Roberts
5 David Mead
6 Anthony Milford
7 Ben Hunt
8 Josh McGuire
9 Andrew McCullough
10 Sam Thaiday
11 Alex Glenn
12 Matt Gillett
13 Adam Blair

14 Joe Ofahengaue
15 Benji Marshall
16 Jai Arrow
17 Tevita Pangai Jnr

@woodward_curtis