Squad Game: Broncos 2022 roster changes and best 17

Here is all you need to know about the Brisbane Broncos ahead of the 2022 Telstra Premiership season.

The Lowdown

Overview

There were plenty of signs in the closing stages of 2021 that the Broncos are ready to turn a corner and with Adam Reynolds coming on board they have the ideal opportunity to return to finals action. The calming hand of the premiership-winning playmaker will ensure the Broncos’ gifted crop of youngsters get the guidance they need to emerge as real superstars of the game and give the Suncorp Stadium faithful plenty to cheer about.

Possible best 17

1. Tesi Niu, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Jamayne Isaako, 6. Albert Kelly, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Payne Haas, 9. Jake Turpin, 10. Thomas Flegler, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Patrick Carrigan, 14. Kobe Hetherington, 15. TC Robati, 16. Corey Jensen, 17. Keenan Palasia.

Key changes

Kevin Walters must have been tearing his hair out at times in 2021 as he shuffled his halves like deck chairs on the Titanic. The club legend heads into his second season in charge with one of the game’s most accomplished halfbacks in his stable in Adam Reynolds, and that should allow Kevvie to sleep much easier. Kurt Capewell is a solid pick-up from Penrith while veteran prop Ryan James and winger Jordan Pereira add depth. Xavier Coates’ tryscoring ability will be missed but the Broncos have a host of exciting young backs capable of filling the void.

Health check

Pat Carrigan's rehab from an ACL injury is on track for him to return in time to play trial games early next year. He is hopeful of being available for the round one blockbuster against Souths. Powerhouse centre Kotoni Staggs only made it back from an ACL injury in round 16 and was gone again a month later after suffering a medial ligament injury. He will be raring to go by round one, as will prop Payne Haas, who had surgery on both ankles at the start of the off-season. "Kotoni and Payne have returned from their off-season injuries in good shape and are now in full training," said head of performance Dave Ballard. Forwards Jordan Riki and Keenan Palasia are also both on their way back after having shoulder surgery while Xavier Willison (ACL) is four months post-operation and "doing everything that's required" according to Ballard. Thomas Flegler copped a four-match ban in round 24 for a high shot on Shark Jack Williams so he will miss the first three games.

Biggest question mark

Adam Reynolds turns 32 in July so it’ll be interesting to see how his body holds up but it’s worth remembering Cooper Cronk was 34 when he left Melbourne for the Roosters and went on to win back-to-back premierships. Reynolds has been extremely durable in the past four seasons, playing 97 of a possible 104 games, so there’s every reason to believe he’ll give great value for money at Red Hill.

Opening month

After a huge round one home clash against beaten grand finalists South Sydney, Brisbane get three games against three of last year's lower-finishing sides. With three of four opening month games in the Brisbane area, there is a chance for the Broncos to start 2022 strongly.

Toughest stretch

Straight after that the Broncos head into a tough patch with the Roosters, Panthers, Sharks and Rabbitohs in a five-game spell from round five that also include a potentially tricky game against a Bulldogs side likely to be much stronger than last year.

Make it count

Towards the end of the Origin period, Brisbane enjoys a five-game run that includes the Cowboys, Dragons, Titans, Eels and Wests Tigers. The trip to CommBank Stadium to face Parramatta in round 19 looks tough but the other four games are all in Queensland against teams not widely tipped – other than perhaps the Titans – to feature in the 2022 finals.

• Full NRL 2022 draw

NRL Fantasy: Broncos 2022 prices

Payne Haas: MID, $782,000
Tyson Gamble: HLF, $614,000
Adam Reynolds: HLF, $613,000
Kotoni Staggs: CTR, $600,000
Jake Turpin: HOK, $596,000
Patrick Carrigan: MID, $588,000
Jordan Riki: EDG, $571,000
Herbie Farnworth: CTR/WFB, $559,000
Albert Kelly: HLF, $550,000
Kurt Capewell: EDG, $511,000
Tesi Niu: WFB/CTR, $468,000
Corey Jensen: MID, $462,000
Thomas Flegler: MID, $450,000
Jamayne Isaako: WFB, $450,000
Selwyn Cobbo: CTR, $450,000
Ryan James: MID, $423,000
Keenan Palasia: EDG, $416,000
Rhys Kennedy: MID, $400,000
Brenko Lee: CTR, $400,000
TC Robati: EDG, $392,000
Corey Oates: WFB, $379,000
Kobe Hetherington: MID/HOK, $376,000
Jordan Pereira: WFB, $327,000
Cory Paix: HOK/HLF, $323,000
David Mead: WFB, $318,000
Xavier Willison: EDG/MID, $240,000
Billy Walters: HLF, $240,000
Brendan Piakura: EDG, $240,000
Ezra Mam: HLF, $220,000