Andrew Johns has raised concerns about Brisbane’s future talent development, particularly regarding the apparent scarcity of emerging playmakers as the Broncos consider re-signing veteran halfback Adam Reynolds. The 35-year-old is keen to prolong his playing career for at least another year. If this occurs, the Broncos would then have two playmakers over 35, with Ben Hunt already under contract until 2026, making them the oldest halves combination in the league.
Amid a recent drop in performance, there are widespread worries about how the team can recover this season and how they will fare in the future. Many are questioning the club’s strategic planning, particularly in light of younger players emerging from other teams, like the Canberra Raiders. Johns emphasised the need for the Broncos to nurture new talent, lamenting the absence of promising halves in their ranks. He noted, “Where are the next players? There isn’t any.”
Despite talents like Coby Black being mentioned as a potential successor to Reynolds, he has yet to make his first-grade debut. In addition to finding a replacement for Reynolds, the Broncos are also confronted with the task of addressing the future needs left by other senior players such as Billy Walters, Corey Jensen, and Jack Gosiewski, all aged over 30.
Former players like Brad Fittler pointed out that Queensland has a wealth of young talent; it’s a matter of the Broncos effectively utilising that potential. He commented on the club’s ability to produce top players and stressed the importance of integrating this fresh talent into the team to address their current struggles.
As it stands, the Broncos are positioned 11th on the NRL ladder and will be looking to improve their standing when they face the Titans next on Saturday.