Dynasty architect: Five reasons Brisbane Broncos can win 2026 NRL premiership

A Kings Cross nightclub is not the safest place to be for an NRL team, but amid the booze and revelry as Brisbane players celebrated the club’s first premiership in 19 years, the Broncos were in good hands.

Why? Because their coach Michael Maguire was on the periphery of the action, one eye on his shimmering premiership ring, the other already on back-to-back NRL titles in 2026.

It had barely been five hours since the Broncos smashed their title curse by beating Melbourne 26-22, but the cogs in Maguire’s high-octane brain were already turning.

The NRL’s mad coaching scientist whispered to a colleague something about being up for the fight again in 2026; how this is only the tip of the iceberg for a golden age at the Broncos.

Last year, I led with my (glass) chin before round 1 and said Brisbane would make the top four. I wasn’t convinced they could go all the way - I tipped Melbourne to knock off the Broncos in the decider - but this time, the crystal ball is getting another workout.

Here are the five reasons why the Broncos will win back-to-back premierships in 2026.

1. ROSTER STABILITY

Under Maguire, CEO Dave Donaghy and recruitment chief Simon Scanlan, the Broncos have cultural and roster stability. The newly-minted premiers will lose just two players, Wakefield-bound Tyson Smoothy and Manly recruit Kobe Hetherington, from the top 17 which beat the Storm in the NRL decider.

And while the club would have preferred to keep the truly gifted Selwyn Cobbo, who joins the Dolphins next season, the Broncos have a slew of backline options to cover for his departure.

In terms of age, Brisbane’s roster is in the ultimate sweet spot. Big guns Payne Haas (25), Reece Walsh (23), Ezra Mam (22), Pat Carrigan (27) and Kotoni Staggs (26) can dominate for another eight to 10 years.

Meanwhile, rising props Xavier Willison (23) and 205cm monster Ben Te Kura (21) are still so young. They could be anything in the game.

The jury will be out on ageing halves Ben Hunt and Adam Reynolds, who both turn 36 next year, but Brisbane’s depth and flexibility is unrivalled. They used 27 players this year. It’s some squad that can have a fit Cobbo and Jesse Arthars waiting in the wings.

2. MAD SCIENTIST MADGE

Maguire chuckles when you suggest the coach has a touch of madness about him. It’s the way he likes it. ‘Maniacal Madge’ will keep Broncos players on their toes in pre-season. There will be no room for slackers or egomaniacs drunk on premiership success.

Maguire learnt lessons from his last premiership win at Souths in 2014. The hunters became the hunted. He took the Rabbitohs to the holy grail but along the way Maguire pushed his men to breaking point. “We got to the summit, but we had nothing left. Madge got every last drop out of us,” one former Rabbitoh told me.

Maguire won’t make the same mistakes this time around. He has already gleaned cultural buy-in from a leadership group that will grow in confidence from the belief of a premiership ring. The spew buckets may even return.

None of Brisbane’s chief title threats will make major surges. The Storm could be mentally broken by consecutive grand final losses. The Broncos ended Penrith’s dynasty and beat minor premiers the Raiders on their turf in the finals in Canberra. Madge’s Marauders will fear no side in 2026.

3. THE DEFENCE RESTS

Assistant coach Ben Te’o is the silent assassin of the Broncos’ title revival. Brisbane’s Minister for Defence has played a critical role in the defensive structures that swept the Broncos to this year’s title.

Broncos players have lauded the input of Te’o, an NRL premiership winner, dual international and former hit man who has been a trusted right-hand man for Maguire. He is an NRL coach in the making. Players have enjoyed not only his technical knowledge, but his direct, no-nonsense style. If he has feedback, Te’o has the respect to hit players between the eyes.

Te’o has injected the harder edge that former Broncos defence coach Peter Ryan brought to Brisbane’s 2006 premiership side.

Te’o has worked hard on Brisbane’s contact and wrestle. It’s nerdy football one-percent science but it wins titles. Brisbane aren’t the finished article yet. It’s one area where Brisbane can really improve next season. The Broncos conceded 508 points at 21 per game this year but relied on their desperation and scramble to stay in games. Even in the grand final, they conceded 22 points. In his second season next year, Te’o will turn the screws and make Brisbane a more proficient defensive machine.

4. WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

Quality spines and champion enforcers win premierships. Brisbane have both on their books, not to mention the most lethal, unpredictable attacking system in the league.

Reynolds and Hunt may be regarded as over-the-hill by some, but they share three premierships between them and have an unmatched 664 games of first-grade experience to steer the Broncos around the park.

The X-factor is Ezra Mam, whose speed and direct style shakes up the tempo of matches, as evidenced by his outstanding injection off the bench in the grand final.

The danger with Brisbane is they are never truly contained. Even when trailing by 16 points, they have the strike across the park - hello Kotoni Staggs - to unleash 20 minutes of magic to blow teams off the park.

Throw in Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan in the midfield, bolstered by the formidable rise of Willison, who is a 199cm athletic specimen, and few teams can match their fusion of speed, power and forward muscle.

5. REECE LIGHTNING

Reece Walsh. Say no more. Brisbane’s grand final Superman can be the NRL’s No.1 player for the next decade and the scary thing for NRL rivals is that he has the hunger and work ethic to match his indefensible raw talent.

Maguire has weaponised Walsh. Everyone knew he had rare attacking gifts, but Maguire and Brisbane’s coaching staff, including Te’o, have worked hard on Walsh’s decision-making and positioning in defence. His three trysavers in the grand final were no fluke.

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History shows great fullbacks help their sides win multiple titles. In the past 30 years, Darren Lockyer, Billy Slater, James Tedesco and Dylan Edwards all won more grand final. Walsh will win several premierships for the Broncos.

Bookmakers have Brisbane favourites to win back-to-back titles in 2026.

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