I reckon the Broncos are in the box seat to make Suncorp Stadium a fortress again after the NRL released the 2022 season draw this week...
From the ultimate blockbuster which sees the Broncos’ marquee signing Adam Reynolds up against his former club Souths in round one, to a Sunday afternoon Queensland derby against the Cowboys in round three, the football gods have smiled on Brisbane fans.
In fact, five of the Broncos’ first eight games of the season will be played at Suncorp Stadium. Which is not to say Kevin Walters and his players will have an easy time of it, with their draw arguably the toughest of any club in the competition. They are scheduled to play against last season’s top 8 sides 14 times – more than any other team – and will face bottom 8 and bottom 4 teams less than any other side.
It all adds up to making the most of home ground advantage even more crucial for Kevvie and the boys.
This week Courier-Mail league writer Chris Honnery highlighted clashes against the Sea Eagles, Titans and Eels as the games that could make or break the Broncos’ season. It is no surprise that all three of those matches will be played at Suncorp Stadium – the Sea Eagles in Magic Round (round 10), Titans round 12 and Eels round 24.
Having made some astute buys on the players market and with a year under his belt as an NRL coach, Kevvie is on the cusp of reaching his goal of making the Broncos a top-four team again.
I reckon harnessing the power of a packed Suncorp Stadium in those key games could be the difference between getting there or not.
What do YOU reckon?
Agree: Opposition teams used to hate coming to Suncorp Stadium with the crowd so close and the wall of noise making it impossible for them to think. Once the Broncos get on a roll next season it will be just like the good old days.
Disagree: Whoever came up with this draw was obviously not a Queenslander. They’ve done the Broncos no favours. It won’t matter where the games are played, taking on the Rabbitohs, Roosters, Storm and Eels twice is a huge ask.