A Fantasy unicorn will be unleashed by the Broncos in 2024
Last year the Broncos’ rise to premiership contention coincided with plenty of their players being relevant in Fantasy, with a couple of star performers in the forwards proving particularly popular.
This coming season Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan will again be very good MID options, while star No.1 Reece Walsh is likely to be a popular WFB pick again too. But it’s another member of their backline who shapes as being Brisbane’s most-owned player in 2024 provided he can nab a starting role, with Deine Mariner (CTR/WFB, $450k) boasting both cash cow and borderline keeper potential.
The departure of Kurt Capewell to the Warriors instantly made Brendan Piakura (EDG, $399k) close to a must have as well, with his scores set to make a huge jump from last year’s 23.5 average if he starts, while in general backline members and halves at the Broncos will be appealing thanks to their ability to pile on tries.
Payne Haas (MID, $880k) has been among the highest-ceiling options in his position for several years now and that won’t change in 2024. He has all the usual workrate traits that make him a great pick and has more potential for dynamic plays than most middle forwards do. The only downside with him is that he’s a lock to play Origin and miss some time, but he’s a pillar to build around before and after the rep period.
Even with confirmation that Selwyn Cobbo is likely to snare the vacant centre spot, Deine Mariner has huge Fantasy upside after averaging 40.8 across four games in 2023. He’s listed as both a CTR and WFB and starts the year at only $450k. A talented player who could have the inside running for a wing spot after veteran Corey Oates was overlooked for much of last year, Mariner will be lining up at the end of maybe the best attacking unit in the NRL and he is going to have some huge days at the office this season.
Round 13, 16 and 24. No worries for the first 12 weeks means you can start the season picking as many Broncos as you like. It’s a bad schedule for overall players who need as many players as possible in Rounds 13 and 16 when eight teams have byes, but it’s good news for head-to-head players. Their final bye in Round 24 will land during the finals for some leagues so is one to think about.
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