From Premiers to a Crisis: Inside The Broncos 5-point Plan to Change Their 2027 Fortunes

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Just 12 months after one of the greatest comebacks in NRL history delivered Brisbane their seventh premiership, the Broncos have been forced to confront one of the biggest collapses in the club’s modern history.

Brisbane’s 2026 season fell dramatically short of expectations, with the reigning premiers missing the finals and ending the campaign with serious questions surrounding their defence, consistency and overall direction.

Now, the club has responded with a major “root-and-branch” review designed to ensure the disappointment does not become a long-term decline.

1.MADGE SURVIVES

Despite the pressure surrounding the club, Michael Maguire will remain as head coach for 2027.

Rather than making another coaching change, Brisbane has opted for stability while significantly strengthening the football department around him.

The Broncos believe the answer is not simply replacing the coach, but giving the football operation greater support and accountability.

Former captain Adam Reynolds is also set to move into a coaching role, giving Brisbane another experienced voice around its young playing group.

2. FIVE CHANGES TO TURN IT AROUND

The Broncos have identified several areas that need immediate improvement.

Their football department will be expanded, with new appointments planned in recruitment and strength and conditioning.

Troy Thomson has also been appointed as executive general manager of football, with the role designed to streamline the club’s football operations.

Player development will become another major focus, with Brisbane planning to significantly strengthen its academy system.

That could become increasingly important as the NRL continues to expand and clubs compete for an even larger pool of emerging talent.

3. DEFENCE HAS TO CHANGE

Perhaps the biggest concern from 2026 was Brisbane’s defence.

The Broncos struggled for consistency throughout the season and failed to reproduce the intensity that helped them overcome Canberra and Penrith on their way to last year's premiership.

Their home form has also been identified as an area requiring improvement. For a club playing its home games at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane needs to make its home ground a genuine advantage again.

4. 33 PLAYERS USED

Injuries also played a major role in Brisbane’s disappointing campaign.

The Broncos used a record 33 players throughout the season, making it difficult for Maguire to establish a settled side.

The club believes better preparation and a more localised pre-season can help reduce some of the disruption.

Unlike previous seasons, Brisbane is also planning to avoid overseas travel during the pre-season, instead focusing on keeping the squad together and building consistency ahead of 2027.

5. FROM CHAMPIONS TO CHALLENGERS

The biggest challenge now is a psychological one.

A premiership can create expectations, but it can also expose whether a club has the systems in place to sustain success.

Brisbane went from champions to missing the finals in the space of 12 months. That makes 2027 one of the most important seasons in the Broncos’ recent history.

The club has decided against a drastic reset.

Instead, it has backed Maguire, strengthened the football department, increased its investment in development and identified defence and consistency as key priorities.

Now comes the difficult part for them. They have to prove the 2026 collapse was an exception and not the beginning of a decline.

After winning the premiership last year, are the Broncos capable of bouncing straight back in 2027? Or did their 2026 season expose deeper problems at the club?