The 2021 Brisbane Broncos season was the 34th in the club's history. Coached by Kevin Walters and captained by Alex Glenn, the club competed in the 2021 National Rugby League season. The season marked Walters' first year as head coach of the Broncos following the club's worst-ever finish in 2020, which resulted in the sacking of former coach Anthony Seibold after the team won only three matches.
Season summary
The 2021 season was viewed as a rebuilding year for the Brisbane Broncos following the club's worst campaign in history in 2020, where the side finished last for the first time and won only three matches. The club appointed former Broncos premiership player and Queensland coach Kevin Walters as head coach in September 2020 on a two-year deal, replacing interim coach Peter Gentle after the departure of Anthony Seibold during the 2020 season. Walters inherited a fractured playing group and significant pressure from supporters and media to restore the club's culture and competitiveness.
During the off-season, the Broncos underwent major roster and football department changes. High-profile departures already confirmed during the 2020 season were former captain Darius Boyd to retirement and representative forward David Fifita joining the Gold Coast Titans. Off-contract Jordan Kahu's contract was not renewed, while Jack Bird and Joe Ofahengaue were granted early releases to other clubs. Broncos veteran Andrew McCullough briefly returned from the Knights before he joined Bird at the Dragons in February, as Walters sought to reshape the roster. Notable off-season additions included former Broncos Dale Copley and David Mead and North Queensland Cowboys forward John Asiata while the club also handed playmaker Albert Kelly a train and trial contract.
Head of performance coach Paul Devlin, forwards consultant Corey Parker and defence coach Peter Ryan left in the off-season while long-term CEO Paul White moved on by mutual agreement in February. John Cartwright and Terry Matterson joined as Walters assistants, conditioning coach Andrew Croll was promoted to head of performance, Steve Walters joined his brother Kevin at the club as Football Administration Manager and former Broncos player Petero Civoniceva joined in a mentoring role. The Broncos were able to sign Melbourne Storm CEO Dave Donaghy as White's replacement.
The Broncos opened the season with two losses before recording their first victory under Walters in Round 3, defeating the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 24–0 at Suncorp Stadium. However, the team struggled for consistency throughout the first half of the season, suffering several heavy defeats against premiership contenders including the Melbourne Storm and South Sydney Rabbitohs. Brisbane's defence remained a major concern, conceding 695 points across the year, the second-worst defensive record in the competition.
Despite their poor ladder position, the Broncos produced several notable performances during the season. One of the club's biggest upsets came in Round 11 when Brisbane defeated the Sydney Roosters 34–16 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with Albert Kelly shining on club debut. The side also secured victories over rivals the Gold Coast Titans, North Queensland Cowboys, and New Zealand Warriors, with young players such as Selwyn Cobbo, Kobe Hetherington, and TC Robati making their first-grade debuts during the year.
The season was heavily affected by instability both on and off the field. Contract disputes, player exits, and internal football department changes dominated headlines throughout the year. Senior playmaker Anthony Milford came under increasing pressure after coach Walters publicly declared in April that Milford was not playing well enough to earn a contract extension beyond 2021. Milford was later dropped to reserve grade for the first time in his NRL career following Brisbane's 35–6 loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Highly rated teenager Reece Walsh accepted an offer to join the New Zealand Warriors from 2022 before being granted an early release by Brisbane in April. Walsh subsequently made his NRL debut for the Warriors and quickly emerged as one of the competition's brightest young talents. Walsh was then selected to make his State of Origin debut at fullback for Queensland, having played just seven NRL games for the Warriors, prompting further criticism of Brisbane's roster management. Halfback Tom Dearden also signed with the North Queensland Cowboys for 2022 before departing Brisbane mid-season after falling out of favour under Walters. Xavier Coates also accepted an offer to join a rival club for 2022.
Further controversy emerged surrounding forward Tevita Pangai Junior, whose future at the club became increasingly uncertain throughout the season amid disciplinary concerns and inconsistent performances. In June, Brisbane granted Pangai permission to negotiate with rival clubs after coach Walters vowed sweeping changes following the club's poor form. Pangai was ultimately released in July to join the Penrith Panthers for the remainder of the season before commencing a long-term deal with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in 2022. Prop Matthew Lodge was also granted an immediate release mid-season to join the New Zealand Warriors. The departures highlighted the instability within Brisbane's roster during Walters' first season in charge.
Throughout May to July, Brisbane announced the signings of representative players Adam Reynolds, Kurt Capewell, and Brenko Lee for the 2022 season as part of the club's ongoing roster rebuild.
Off the field, the Broncos undertook a major overhaul of their football operations mid-season with the club again struggling at the bottom of the ladder, General Manager of Football Peter Nolan and Head of Performance Andrew Croll departed the club. Shortly afterwards, the club announced the appointment of former Broncos player and television commentator Ben Ikin as Football & Performance Director as part of broader structural changes aimed at rebuilding the club's long-term football program.
The Broncos finished the regular season in 14th place, winning seven of their 24 matches and missing the finals for a second consecutive year. Although the club again failed to contend for the premiership, the season was viewed by some as a modest improvement on 2020 due to increased competitiveness, the emergence of young talent, and signs of cultural rebuilding under Walters. Winger Xavier Coates finished as the club's leading try-scorer with 11 tries before departing for the Melbourne Storm at season's end, while Jamayne Isaako led the side in points with 124.
Squad information
Cap. Nat. Player Position First Broncos game Previous First Grade RL club 130 Karmichael Hunt 2004 171 Ben Te'o 2009 South Sydney Rabbitohs 172 Alex Glenn (c) 2009 201 Corey Oates 2013 209 Anthony Milford 2015 Canberra Raiders 230 David Mead 2017 Catalans Dragons 232 Jamayne Isaako 2017 236 Payne Haas 2018 238 Kotoni Staggs 2018 240 Jake Turpin 2018 242 Thomas Flegler 2019 244 Patrick Carrigan 2019 247 Richard Kennar 2019 South Sydney Rabbitohs 249 Herbie Farnworth 2019 250 Xavier Coates 2019 251 Keenan Palasia 2019 252 Rhys Kennedy 2019 South Sydney Rabbitohs 254 Jesse Arthars 2020 Gold Coast Titans 255 Brodie Croft 2020 Melbourne Storm 257 Ethan Bullemor 2020 258 Tesi Niu 2020 259 Cory Paix 2020 261 Tyson Gamble 2020 Wests Tigers 262 Jordan Riki 2020 263 John Asiata 2021 North Queensland Cowboys 264 Danny Levi 2021 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 265 Kobe Hetherington 2021 266 Albert Kelly 2021 Hull F.C. 267 TC Robati 2021 268 Selwyn Cobbo 2021 269 Xavier Willison 2021 270 Brendan Piakura 2021
Squad transfers
Transfers in Date Position Player From Year/s Ref. 23 November 2020 Albert Kelly Hull Kingston Rovers Train & Trial 7 November 2020 Andrew McCullough Newcastle Knights 1 Year 29 November 2020 Dale Copley Gold Coast Titans 1 Year 11 December 2020 John Asiata North Queensland Cowboys 1 Year 4 January 2021 David Mead Catalans Dragons 1 Year 15 April 2021 Karmichael Hunt Souths Logan Magpies (Mid-season) Train & Trial 20 April 2021 Danny Levi Norths Devils (Mid-season) End of season
Transfers out Date Position Player To Year/s Ref. 6 March 2020 Darius Boyd Retirement 25 July 2020 David Fifita Gold Coast Titans 3 Years 1 November 2020 Jamil Hopoate Released 1 November 2020 Jordan Kahu Released 6 November 2020 Sean O'Sullivan New Zealand Warriors 1 Year 6 November 2020 Jack Bird St. George Illawarra Dragons 2 Years 29 November 2020 Joe Ofahengaue Wests Tigers 3 Years 1 December 2020 Ilikena Vudogo Melbourne Rebels 3 Years 18 December 2020 Pride Petterson-Robati New Zealand Warriors Train & Trial 15 February 2021 Andrew McCullough St. George Illawarra Dragons 3 Years 10 April 2021 Reece Walsh New Zealand Warriors (Mid-season) 3 1/2 Years 29 May 2021 Tom Dearden North Queensland Cowboys (Mid-season) 3 1/2 Years 1 July 2021 Matthew Lodge New Zealand Warriors (Mid-season) 1 1/2 Years 21 July 2021 Tevita Pangai Junior Penrith Panthers (Mid-season) End of season 2 August 2021 Dale Copley Sydney Roosters (Mid-season) End of season
Coaching staff Name Position Ref. Kevin Walters Head Coach John Cartwright Assistant Coach Terry Matterson Assistant Coach Kurt Richards Skills & Transition Dave Ballard Head of Performance (interim) Ryan Whitely Athletic Performance Coach Alex Corvo Athletic Performance Coach Ben Ikin Football & Performance Director Steve Walters Football Administration Manager Simon Scanlan Head of Recruitment & Academy (interim) Petero Civoniceva Mentor
Staff changes
Transfers in Date Role Person From Year/s Ref. 30 September 2020 Head Coach Kevin Walters Queensland Maroons 2 Years 15 October 2020 Assistant coach John Cartwright Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 2 Years 15 October 2020 Assistant coach Terry Matterson Brisbane Tigers 2 Years 1 May 2021 Chief Executive Officer Dave Donaghy Melbourne Storm 21 June 2021 Football & Performance Director Ben Ikin NRL 360 (Co-host), QRL (Director)
Transfers out Date Role Person To Year/s Ref. 28 September 2020 Head Coach (interim) Peter Gentle St. George Illawarra Dragons — October 2020 Defence Coach Peter Ryan Released 6 November 2020 Head of Performance Paul Devlin Released 28 February 2021 Chief Executive Officer Paul White Resigned 18 June 2021 Head of Performance Andrew Croll Released (Mid-season) 18 June 2021 General Manager – Football Operations Peter Nolan Released (Mid-season)
Regular season
Result by round
Matches