The Brisbane Broncos

With the return of Wayne Bennett and a roster full of veteran stalwarts and budding talents, Brisbane had the look of an NRL contender. The Broncos had a swagger that matched their name and carried an aura of superiority.

Among their young stars is Reece Lightning, a whiz kid who has taken the NRL by storm. He is off-contract at the end of 2025, but will likely sign another deal with the club.

Origins

The NRL team Brisbane broncos first season of existence in the premiership went reasonably well, as they sat comfortably inside the top 4 for most of the year and finished 3rd. The club also unearthed a couple of future club legends in rugged prop Shane Webcke and winger Darren Lockyer.

Leading into 2006, Brisbane retained a similar squad from the previous season and once again had a good start and mid-season to their campaign. However, a second “Post-Origin Slump” cost them dearly and they would end up finishing in 8th after losing their Qualifying Final against the Cowboys. It was also the final season for coach Norm Griffin, who was replaced by Wayne Bennett.

History

The Broncos play their home games at Lang Park (also known as Suncorp Stadium) which is considered the home of Queensland rugby league. The club’s logo is based on the Queensland flag and features gold colouring, which also appears on the team jerseys.

The year 2002 was another strong season for the Brisbane Broncos, with the club finishing in 3rd position. The Broncos lost in the Preliminary Final to the eventual premiers, Sydney Roosters, with the Roosters winning 16-12 at Suncorp Stadium.

2003 was one of the worst “Post-Origin Slumps” in Brisbane history, with the club finishing in 8th position despite captain and five-eighth Darren Lockyer returning to action in Round 19. The Broncos’ horrific performances were the first time the club had missed out on a finals appearance since 1999.

Roster

Brisbane’s roster is meticulously curated to incorporate both experienced players and budding talents. They have several key players who contribute to their success in the NRL. These include Corey Parker, Sam Thaiday, Darius Boyd, and a host of other stars.

In 2021, the Broncos were still feeling the pain of a grand final defeat but they had a promising future ahead of them. They had legends Corey Parker and Sam Thaiday, rep players Ben Hunt and Alex Glenn, and an exciting young squad led by Anthony Milford.

However, a major blow came when star fullback Greg Inglis was released by the Melbourne Storm following a salary cap saga. The Broncos struggled without him and finished the season in 3rd place. They fought their way through the Minor Semi-final to qualify for the Preliminary Final against Manly.

Sponsorships

The Broncos were one of the original NRL clubs and have a large following across Australia. They have an extensive sponsorship portfolio, with Kia being their major partner. The Broncos’ mission of changing lives through rugby league aligns well with the brand values of Kia Australia.

The 1995 season went fairly smoothly, with Brisbane sitting in the top four for most of the year. They finished 3rd and unearthed two future club legends in rugged prop Shane Webcke and backrower Darren Lockyer.

The next season started poorly, with a slew of injuries and player misbehavior that tarnished the game’s image. The club lost eight of their first 10 games, and owner Peter Chegwyn defended his refusal to lower the $1 million asking price for naming rights.

Matches

Brisbane Broncos play their home games at the 52,500 capacity Lang Park (now renamed Suncorp Stadium). They are one of the most successful clubs in Australasia’s elite National Rugby League competition, winning six premierships and never receiving a wooden spoon.

It was a ferocious encounter between two competition heavyweights. Queensland teammates Pat Carrigan and Harry Grant wrangled early, and the middle section of the Brisbane defense proved to be a brick wall throughout the contest.

It was a memorable victory for Wayne Bennett, as he won his 800th match. But for the Broncos, it was also a case of “one that got away”. They would end the season in 3rd position but would lose their Preliminary Final to the Sydney Roosters. The loss of Lockyer to a knee injury in this game was a major blow for the club.