On the back of a Grand Final appearance last year and a number of returning players in key positions, the Broncos were the early favourites to take out the title in 2015. A strong start to the year put the side into the top three with Penrith and North Queensland, with the three teams moving away from the rest of the pack by mid-season. They lost Jayden Nikorima for the year after the Roosters-bound five-eighth injured his shoulder in the Under 20s Origin game.
The young Broncos limped into the finals, ending the regular season with losses to last-placed South Sydney and to Melbourne at home. Ashley Taylor injured his finger during his NRL debut in Round 26 and would miss the final series, severely denting Brisbane’s title hopes. Without their halves pairing, Brisbane faced an uphill battle in the finals. They nearly pulled off a massive upset in Week 1, getting within six points of the Cowboys after trailing 20-6 at half time, before losing by 12 points. An injury to fullback Paul Byrnes put the nail in Brisbane’s season. They were knocked out a week later in a 35-point loss to the Warriors.
Standout Players
Ashley Taylor contributed 27 try assists and 17 line break assists in 2015 and was dearly missed in the finals. Jai Arrow was the competition’s biggest workhorse. The lock topped the club’s tackle count, ran for 3,506 metres (averaging 159 a game) and had 51 offloads. Paul Byrnes and Jayden Nikorima were valuable contributed who both had seasons troubled by injuries.
Top Pointscorer
Ash Taylor finished the year as the Broncos and the NYC’s top pointscorer. He scored nine tries, 83 goals and one field goal for 203 points. In Round 15’s 74-6 demolition of Melbourne, he kicked a club record 11 goals.
Top Tryscorer
Jordan Drew was an NYC veteran in 2015 and it showed as he scored 19 tries for the Broncos. Drew made his NRL debut back in 2013 and will hope to break into Brisbane’s strong first grade side in 2016.
Best Win
Round 15 – defeated Melbourne 74-6 at AAMI Park.
It’s hard to go past Brisbane’s record breaking 68-point win over Melbourne. While they weren’t playing strongest opposition, it was a complete masterclass by the Broncos. Ash Taylor and Joe Ofahengaue returned to the side and they lead 44-6 at half time. By the full time siren, they had run in 13 tries.
Graduates
Daniel Alvaro (2011-2012 – 28 games, 1 try, 4 points)
A Queensland under-18 representative while at Brisbane, Alvaro moved to the Eels in 2013 and made his NRL debut for them this year.
Kodi Nikorima (2012-2014 – 67 games, 40 tries, 8 goals, 176 ponts)
A mainstay in the Brisbane’s NYC side for three years, Nikorima has been the Broncos’ x-factor off the bench in the NRL this season. May win a Grand Final in his rookie season.
Joe Ofahengaue (2013-2015 – 58 games, 6 tries, 24 points)
Played just 7 NYC games in 2015, spending the majority of the year in the NRL. The recently turned 20-year old may join Nikorima with a premiership ring in his rookie year.
Ashley Taylor (2012-2013 – 47 games, 22 tries, 124 goals, 1 field goal, 337 ponts)
Recently named the 2015 NYC Player of the Year, Taylor had a tough debut in which he fractured his finger against Melbourne. Will join the Gold Coast Titans in 2016.
Players to Watch in 2016
Both players spent the majority of the year in the NYC but 17-year old Jaydn Su’A and 18-year old Keegan Hipgrave are set for ever bigger 2016 seasons. The Queensland under-18 representatives are two of the brightest forward prospects in the competition and will look to lead the Broncos’ pack next year.
Representative Honours
Jai Arrow – Junior Kangaroos, Queensland under-20s
Alex Barr – Queensland under-20s (1 try, 4 points)
Jayden Berrell – Junior Kangaroos, Queensland under-20s
Paul Byrnes – Queensland under-20s
Lindsay Collins – Queensland under-20s
Jordan Drew – Junior Kangaroos, Queensland under-20s
George Fai – Queensland under-20s
Keegan Hipgrave – Queensland under-18s
Lachlan Lanskey – Queensland under-18s
Sam Lavea – Queensland under-20s
Michael Molo – Queensland under-18s
Jayden Nikorima – Junior Kangaroos, Queensland under-20s
Joe Ofahengaue – Junior Kangaroos
Keenan Palasia – Queensland under-18s
Jayden Su’A – Queensland under-18s (1 try, 4 points)
Ashley Taylor – Junior Kangaroos, Queensland under-20s (2 goals, 4 points)
18TH MAN 