Following each round of the NRL Premiership and Intrust Super Cup, each contracted Broncos player’s season-to-date performance is analysed and ranked against their internal competition.

This analysis process initially categorises players into four positional categories (with some players considered in multiple positional categories due to their perceived versatility):

• forwards;
• centres and wingers;
• halves and hooker; and
• fullback.

Once categorised, each player’s output in defined key performance indicators (KPIs) for their respective positional category is then considered, using data sourced from the NRL and QRL.

Different weightings are then assigned to the KPI data considered for each positional group based on the assumption that the cornerstones of the Broncos’ tactical approach is as follows:

• To have minimal missed tackles (<2 missed tackles per player per game) in all positional categories.
• To generate 100+ run metres and multiple offloads per game from each player in the forward positional group (to create second phase play for the halves, hooker and/or fullback to individually break the opposition’s defensive line or create line break opportunities for the centre and winger positional group).
• To generate 100+ run metres and multiple line breaks per game from each player within the centre and wing positional group.
• To generate 100+ kicking metres and multiple line breaks, line break assists, and forced drop outs per game from each player in the halves and hooker and fullback positional groups.

The findings provide an invaluable insight as to:

• how each player ranks against their internal competition within their positional category; and
• which 17 players make up the Broncos’ most productive team.

Internal player rankings

Following Round 7 of the NRL and Round 5 of the Intrust Super Cup, the player rankings are as follows:

Round 8 line-up

Based on the above analytical comparison, and with Te’o, Glenn and Staggs recovering from injury, the 17 players which comprise the Broncos’ most productive team for Round 8 of the 2021 NRL season would appear to be as follows:

Freddie08

Following each round of the NRL Premiership and Intrust Super Cup, each contracted Broncos player’s season-to-date performance is analysed and ranked against their internal competition.

This analysis process initially categorises players into four positional categories (with some players considered in multiple positional categories due to their perceived versatility):

• forwards;
• centres and wingers;
• halves and hooker; and
• fullback.

Once categorised, each player’s output in defined key performance indicators (KPIs) for their respective positional category is then considered, using data sourced from the NRL and QRL.

Different weightings are then assigned to the KPI data considered for each positional group based on the assumption that the cornerstones of the Broncos’ tactical approach is as follows:

• To have minimal missed tackles (<2 missed tackles per player per game) in all positional categories.
• To generate 100+ run metres and multiple offloads per game from each player in the forward positional group (to create second phase play for the halves, hooker and/or fullback to individually break the opposition’s defensive line or create line break opportunities for the centre and winger positional group).
• To generate 100+ run metres and multiple line breaks per game from each player within the centre and wing positional group.
• To generate 100+ kicking metres and multiple line breaks, line break assists, and forced drop outs per game from each player in the halves and hooker and fullback positional groups.

The findings provide an invaluable insight as to:

• how each player ranks against their internal competition within their positional category; and
• which 17 players make up the Broncos’ most productive team.

Internal player rankings

Following Round 3 of the NRL and Round 2 of the Intrust Super Cup, the player rankings are as follows:

Round 4 line-up

Based on the above analytical comparison, and with Staggs recovering from injury, the 17 players which comprise the Broncos’ most productive team for Round 4 of the 2021 season would appear to be as follows:

Freddie08

Following each round of the NRL Premiership and Intrust Super Cup, each contracted Broncos player’s season-to-date performance is analysed and ranked against their internal competition.

This analysis process initially categorises players into four positional categories (with some players considered in multiple positional categories due to their perceived versatility):

• forwards;
• centres and wingers;
• halves and hooker; and
• fullback.

Once categorised, each player’s output in defined key performance indicators (KPIs) for their respective positional category is then considered, using data sourced from the NRL and QRL.

Different weightings are then assigned to the KPI data considered for each positional group based on the assumption that the cornerstones of the Broncos’ tactical approach is as follows:

• To have minimal missed tackles (<2 missed tackles per player per game) in all positional categories.
• To generate 100+ run metres and multiple offloads per game from each player in the forward positional group (to create second phase play for the halves, hooker and/or fullback to individually break the opposition’s defensive line or create line break opportunities for the centre and winger positional group).
• To generate 100+ run metres and multiple line breaks per game from each player within the centre and wing positional group.
• To generate 100+ kicking metres and multiple line breaks, line break assists, and forced drop outs per game from each player in the halves and hooker and fullback positional groups.

The findings provide an invaluable insight as to:

• how each player ranks against their internal competition within their positional category; and
• which 17 players make up the Broncos’ most productive team.

Internal player rankings

Following Round 2 of the NRL and Round 1 of the Intrust Super Cup, the player rankings are as follows:

Round 3 line-up

Based on the above analytical comparison, and with Haas suspended and Lodge and Stagg recovering from injury, the 17 players which comprise the Broncos’ most productive team for Round 3 of the 2021 season would appear to be as follows:

Freddie08

Following each round of the NRL Premiership and Intrust Super Cup, each contracted Broncos player’s season-to-date performance is analysed and ranked against their internal competition.

This analysis process initially categorises players into four positional categories (with some players considered in multiple positional categories due to their perceived versatility):

• forwards;
• centres and wingers;
• halves and hooker; and
• fullback.

Once categorised, each player’s output in defined key performance indicators (KPIs) for their respective positional category is then considered, using data sourced from the NRL and QRL.

Different weightings are then assigned to the KPI data considered for each positional group based on the assumption that the cornerstones of the Broncos’ tactical approach is as follows:

• To have minimal missed tackles (<2 missed tackles per player per game) in all positional categories.
• To generate 100+ run metres and multiple offloads per game from each player in the forward positional group (to create second phase play for the halves, hooker and/or fullback to individually break the opposition’s defensive line or create line break opportunities for the centre and winger positional group).
• To generate 100+ run metres and multiple line breaks per game from each player within the centre and wing positional group.
• To generate 100+ kicking metres and multiple line breaks, line break assists, and forced drop outs per game from each player in the halves and hooker and fullback positional groups.

The findings provide an invaluable insight as to:

• how each player ranks against their internal competition within their positional category; and
• which 17 players make up the Broncos’ most productive team.

Internal player rankings

Following Round 1 of the NRL, the player rankings are as follows:

Round 2 line-up

Based on the above analytical comparison, and with Haas suspended and Stagg recovering from injury, the 17 players which comprise the Broncos’ most productive team for Round 2 of the 2021 season would appear to be as follows:

Freddie08

Following each round of the NRL Premiership and Intrust Super Cup, each contracted Broncos player’s season-to-date performance is analysed and ranked against their internal competition.

This analysis process initially categorises players into four positional categories (with some players considered in multiple positional categories due to their perceived versatility):

• forwards;
• centres and wingers;
• halves and hooker; and
• fullback.

Once categorised, each player’s output in defined key performance indicators (KPIs) for their respective positional category is then considered, using data sourced from the NRL and QRL.

Different weightings are then assigned to the KPI data considered for each positional group based on the assumption that the cornerstones of the Broncos’ tactical approach is as follows:

• To have minimal missed tackles (<2 missed tackles per player per game) in all positional categories.
• To generate 100+ run metres and multiple offloads per game from each player in the forward positional group (to create second phase play for the halves, hooker and/or fullback to individually break the opposition’s defensive line or create line break opportunities for the centre and winger positional group).
• To generate 100+ run metres and multiple line breaks per game from each player within the centre and wing positional group.
• To generate 100+ kicking metres and multiple line breaks, line break assists, and forced drop outs per game from each player in the halves and hooker and fullback positional groups.

The findings provide an invaluable insight as to:

• how each player ranks against their internal competition within their positional category; and
• which 17 players make up the Broncos’ most productive team.

Internal player rankings

Based on 2020 season, the player rankings are as follows:

Round 1 line-up

Based on the above analytical comparison, and with Haas suspended and Stagg recovering from injury, the 17 players which comprise the Broncos’ most productive team for Round 1 of the 2021 season would appear to be as follows:

Freddie08

The Broncos have confirmed that Ben Te’o has re-signed with the Broncos for 12 months.

The 33 year old New Zealander had a poor season in 2020, averaging only 68 metres per match, where he played at least 40 minutes, as well 2 missed tackles and no offloads per game.

Te’o retention seems like a waste of precious cap space, and a some what inept recruitment and retention decision in light of the Broncos’ concurrent decision to cut the more productive and younger Queensland forward in Ofahengaue.

Freddie08

The Brisbane Broncos have the fan that Queensland forward Joe Ofahengaue Has left the club to take up a contract opportunity with the West Tigers.

While the big forward didn’t have the best of seasons in 2020, in that he averaged two missed tackles per game and zero offloads, he still managed to average more than 100 metres per game, where he played at least 40 minutes.

Those numbers meant that overall, he finished the 2020 season as the 10th most productive forward out of the Broncos 16 forward options.

That said, as a Queensland born and bred player, and far more productive than the likes of Alex Glenn, Ben Teo and recently recently sign New South Welshman, John Asiata, it was disappointing to see the Broncos cut loose Ofahengaue, whose retention, along with some additional Queensland born recruits, could have helped start the process to restore the cultural identity of the Broncos.

Instead, the same failed recruitment and retention strategy that has plagued the Broncos in recent years and degraded the club’s cultural identity looks set to continue.

Freddie08

The NRL have confirmed that Rhys Kennedy has re-signed with the Broncos for a further 12 months, following the expiry of this contract at the end of the 2020 season.

While the big forward wasn’t afforded a great deal of playing time in the past season, and failed to average 100 run metres and less than 2 missed tackles in those matches where he played at least 40 minutes, he was one of the few Broncos forwards who produced 2 or more offloads per match.

Overall, he finished the 2020 season as the 9th most productive forward out of the Broncos 16 forward options.

With the return of the Instrust Super Cup next season, its hoped Kennedy will get some more game time and along with it, the opportunity to stake his claim in the Broncos top 17.

Freddie08

The Broncos career of half and hooker option Sean O’Sullivan has come to an end, with the player joining the New Zealand Warriors following the expiration of his contract with the Broncos.

A much publicised recruit from the Sydney Roosters, O’Sullivan suffered a cruel ACL injury part way through season 2019, and at a time when his on field performances for Norths were warranting his selection in the Broncos’ senior side. Unfortunately for O’Sullivan, when he recovered in 2020, his on field performances weren’t the same .

In terms of his comparative value to the squad, O’Sullivan ranked 9th out of the Broncos’ 10 half and hooking options in 2020.

I was hoping the Broncos would not resign O’Sullivan, and I am not disappointed to see him go. Hopefully, his departure will afford greater opportunities for Gamble, should he re-sign with the Broncos, and/or lead the Broncos to consider alternatives such as Marshall, Ahern, Templeton or Rowe.

Freddie08

The Broncos career of half, hooker, centre, wing and fullback option Jack Bird has come to an end, with the player being granted an immediate release from his contract to join the St George Dragons.

A high priced recruit from the Cronulla Sharks, Bird had a horrific three seasons at the Broncos with injuries decimating his impact on the field.

In terms of his comparative value to the squad:

• Bird ranked 10th out of the Broncos’ 10 half and hooking options in 2020

• Bird ranked 11th out of the Broncos’ 13 centre and wing options in 2020.

• Bird ranked 7th out of the Broncos’ 17 fullback options in 2020.

While I was hoping the Broncos would retain Bird as a fullback option and given his positional versatility, his proposed retention was more for depth purposes than as a starter. That said, given the estimate $950,000 in salary cap space Bird was occupying and his lack of on field performances over the past three seasons, it is understandable why the Broncos have severed ties now with the player.

Freddie08