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2005 SEASON REVIEW -
Played: 26,
won 15,
lost 11,
drew 0,
byes 2,
for 621,
against 542 (3rd on the ladder)
Qualifying finals: lost to Melbourne Storm18-24
Semi-finals: lost to Wests Tigers 6-34
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DEEGAN'S 2005 PLAYER OF THE YEAR -
Shane Webcke
Standing down from representative rugby league was a blessing in disguise for the Brisbane Broncos as Webcke produced on his best seasons for the club. A knee injury suffered in round 24 versus Penrith saw Webcke limp into the playoffs which was detrimental in Brisbane?s go forward in the finals. Webcke proved in 2005 that we was not letting go of the 'World's Best Prop' mantle without a fight.
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2005 IN SHORT -
The Brisbane Broncos once again saved their worst rugby league for the end of season losing their last seven games and were bundled out of the finals series with relative ease. Bronco supporters were left scratching their head after a sizzling start to the season which saw Brisbane win ten games in a row after the embarrassing 46 point loss to Melbourne. The Brisbane Broncos were a tired club at the end of the 2005 season which is becoming an all too familiar trend for the former rugby league kings.
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2006 SEASON PREVIEW -
Darren Lockyer: The Brisbane Bronco captain should
expect and even tougher 2006 season. Is the Brisbane
juggernaut coming to a grinding halt?
Gains: Michael Ennis (Dragons), Ben Hannant (Roosters)
Losses: Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (Raiders), Darren Mapp (Sharks), Stuart Kelly (retired), Berrick Barnes (QLD Reds)
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DEEGAN'S BEST BRISBANE TEAM -
1 - Karmichael Hunt ? Tougher than most give him credit for and a player that can turn the game for Brisbane in attack. Safe at the back for Brisbane though must improve his one on one defense.
2 - Leon Bott ? A very good finisher with blistering speed off the mark. Will see a challenge from Steve Michaels, Fraser Anderson and Tame Tupou in 2006.
3 - Justin Hodges ? 2005 was a welcome return to form for the former representative player. With his confidence returning, Hodges should be in a position to push for Queensland selection if he starts the season strongly.
4 - Shaun Berrigan ? A try scoring machine who will never die wondering. Berrigan will have a point to prove in 2006 after missing out on the Tri-Nations tour. Plenty of contenders for his Queensland jersey will provide extra motivation to do well.
5 - Brent Tate ? The most lethal attacking player Brisbane had in the back half of the season. Tate has the rare ability to put a four pointer on the board from anywhere on the field.
6 - Darren Lockyer ? ? Still learning the five-eight role though still in the top two or three players in the game. Needs to find consistency at the back half of the season and overcome the post Origin time of the year.
7 - Brett Seymour ? Matured in 2005 and took on more responsibility when Lockyer was absent. Still a way to go to become a complete halfback though if he can improve on his 2005 season, he will be a regular name mentioned at State of Origin time for years to come.
8 - Shane Webcke ? Age and a nagging knee injury is catching up on Webcke though on his day he is still amongst the best props in the world. Could be his last season, he will make sure it is one to remember.
9 - Michael Ennis ? Good young player who gives Brisbane a more than competent goal kicker which is a welcomed relief for Bronco fans. Ennis will excel in Brisbane and be one of the signings of the year.
10 - Petero Civoniceva ? The old warhorse has seen his best days as he struggles to find regular impact in attack or defense. Will need a big start to the season to hold onto his representative jerseys.
11 - Brad Thorn ? A better than expected return to rugby league in 2005 and he should be even better this season.
12 - David Stagg ? The mobile workhorse this aging Brisbane pack needs.
13 - Tonie Carroll ? Still the best front on defender in the game and once again he will shadow Lockyer when defending. Brisbane will look for more with the ball in hand.
Reserves
14 - Casey McGuire ? Mr Reliable for Brisbane and can fill in just about anywhere letting no one down.
15 - Corey Parker ? Getting better each year and could find a spot starting in the back row in 2006.
16 - Sam Thaiday ? Provided glimpses of potential Brisbane knows he has. Still a little inconsistent.
17 - Dane Carlaw ? A big fall from grace for the former representative forward who physically has all the attributes a player scout would look for on the outside. It is what inside that counts at this level, Carlaw needs to dig deep in 2006 or could see the door.
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THE 2006 OUTLOOK -
The pieces are in place for another premiership run in 2006 though there is a need for a change of plan at the club who were once the most feared in the competition. Brisbane can no longer rely on the aura they once had that beat many a team before a ball had been kicked. It has been lost and there is a lot of work to do if they are wanting to once again reach the heights of the Langer, Walters and Tallis era.
The Wayne Bennett coached Broncos are in my opinion guilty of not adapting to the modern game since their 2000 premiership win. The Broncos of old would dominate the game up front steam rolling the opposition which created room for the likes of Langer, Walters and Lockyer. Brisbane is no longer able to that as most NRL teams are adopting a more mobile pack which is built to survive the early onslaught. Once the big Bronco forwards tire, the opponent looks to take the game by the scruff of the neck at the back end of the game running them ragged around the ruck.
THREE STRENGTHS BRISBANE HAVE
* The "us against them" mentality - This is a mindset Bennett has instilled into his Brisbane sides since day one and 2006 will be no different. It unites the team and with Bennett's coaching now under question, the players will band together and do everything in their power to shut the critics up. Beware of the wounded Broncos in 2006.
* Veteran experience - Brisbane boast a roster loaded with big match experience at all levels. Led by Lockyer, Webcke and Civoniceva, Brisbane will never be guilty of being over awed by the occasion. Current finals form may suggest otherwise.
* Darren Lockyer - Premiership winning teams have that one player they turn too when the game is on the line and Brisbane are fortunate to have former Golden Boot Player of the Year Darren Lockyer in their team. Despite a below par 2005, Lockyer is still one of the modern day greats in the game who can take over a game in the blink of an eye.
THREE WEAKNESSES BRISBANE HAVE
* Big forwards who tire easily - If you survive the big men of Brisbane in the opening 20 minutes of each half, you will go a long way to winning the game. After the roll on is stemmed up front, the opposition can cause havoc around the middle of the ruck scooting from dummy half catching the big, flat footed forwards who are continually on the back foot.
* Rely too much on Darren Lockyer - As much as having Lockyer is a strength, it can also be the achillles heel for the Broncos. Brisbane can be guilty of waiting for their captain to do something all too often. Brett Seymour made strides last season though needs to take more pressure away from his captain when it comes to creating a play.
* The back half of a season - Brisbane lost their last seven games in 2005 and the year before closed the season winning only one of their last six games. This is a problem for Bennett that he needs to come up with an answer for or risk once again finishing the season in a whimper.
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DEEGAN'S BRISBANE PLAYER ON THE HOT SEAT -
Darren Lockyer
Like Allan Langer and Kevin Walters experienced before him, Darren Lockyer will once again head in to a Brisbane Bronco season with the weight of expectation placed squarely on his shoulders.
No Brisbane Bronco team has missed the finals series since 1991 and with 2006 tipped to be just as competitive as 2005, Lockyer will need to be at his very best week in week out for Brisbane to head back to the semi-finals for the 15th consecutive season.
Most pundits had Darren Lockyer as the number one player in the world heading into the 2005 season though he has relinquished that title to Andrew Johns after he dominated State of Origin in games one and two.
Darren Lockyer also finished the season well behind Benji Marshall, Trent Barrett, Jason Smith and make shift five-eight Jonathon Thurston in the individual position rankings for mine. Lockyer started the season brilliantly though was never the same after a heartbreaking Origin loss to the Johns inspired NSW Blues.
After a longer than expected off-season due to a broken bone in his right foot suffered on the Tri-Nations tour, Lockyer is expected to be refreshed and primed to reclaim the mantle of being the 'World's Best Player'. If Lockyer is in that type of form in 2006, Brisbane should finally be able to shake the poor finals form that has plagued them since the 2000 premiership win.