'Fractured relationship' tested by big Broncos call
Michael Maguire appears to have made a key decision with his spine ahead of Brisbane's trial match.
Moderated by Tomas Kauer 
The fractured relationship between the Broncos and former favourite son Kevin Walters could take another hit before round one.
Mail out of the Broncos camp is that new coach Michael Maguire is set to leave Walters' son Billy out of his 17-man team for the start of the premiership.
This comes just months after Kevvie was shown the door by the Broncos following the club's disastrous fall from grand finalists to also-rans last season.
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The inside mail is that Maguire will go with two hookers in his squad - likely Blake Mozer and Cory Paix - with Billy, who was the club's starting hooker for much of last season, left out in the cold.
Mozer is battling an injury and if he's unfit for round one, Tyson Smoothy is also in the mix.
The fact that Walters was named at five-eighth in a second-string Broncos team to meet the Titans on Sunday only adds weight to the theory.
Maguire is just what the Broncos need to turn the club around - an old fashioned hard-head who will see them spending more time doing laps of the oval and less on Instagram.
The players won't like it - but when the results start to come, they will realise why Maguire takes the hard line.
On paper, the Broncos have as much strike power as the likes of Penrith and Melbourne but need to deliver after the calamity of 2024.
The team is chock full of internationals and Origin players and has a great balance across the park.
Ben Hunt's arrival will also be a huge boost, especially if Adam Reynolds again misses a large chunk of the season through injury.
Up front, the Broncos have the men to get them pushing the opposition backwards in Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan and Jordan Riki.
There are few weaknesses in the squad and anything less than a top four finish would be seen as a failure.
2025 gains
Ben Hunt (Dragons), Hayze Perham (Bulldogs)
2025 losses
Tristan Sailor (St Helens), Corey Oates (retired), Jordan Pereira (retired)
Best buy
Ben Hunt set up 32 tries in a pretty average Dragons team last season - he could double that number at the dynamic Broncos and I rate him the buy of the year.
It's a big season for
The brilliant Reece Walsh struggled last year for consistency and form - although injuries made his task harder. If he fires, the Broncos will be well on their way to redemption.
Biggest question mark
Can the coach and the players get on the same page? Maguire will push them much harder than the easy-going Walters did - whether they get with the program or push back will be interesting to watch.
Predicted finish: 5th
Sportsbet odds to win comp: $8.50
Predicted 17 for round one
1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Blake Mozer 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Xavier Willison 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Ben Te Kura
