“He probably sometimes has attitude things that he needs to work on – and he knows that – so this year being a senior player I’ll take him under my wing.

“I did that last year too, just making sure he’s doing the right things and getting through his minutes because he is so powerful and strong when he wants to be, and he’s such an awesome player.

“This year he’s looking fit and strong getting another NRL preseason under his belt, so I think he’ll play NRL this year definitely.”

The Broncos pack being called into question is not unique among the 2024 contenders, but a past NRL battler believes another young Queensland forward is ready to answer an SOS.

When the Melbourne Storm suffered comprehensive finals defeats to Brisbane and Penrith, doubts were raised over their forwards’ ability to bend and penetrate defensive lines – outside of Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

But according to their former halfback Ryley Jacks, his Brisbane Tigers teammate Tristan Powell was tailor-made for the regimen of master coach Craig Bellamy, and would bring a desperately needed point of difference to their bench if called upon for their round one clash with the Panthers.

“I think with Powelly it’s his late footwork, as seen in the grand final with that try he scored. He’s got something different that not many middles have – that footwork – and with his big legs he’s really quick off the mark,” Jacks said.

“He’s got really good leg speed for a middle, not many middles have that really fast change of pace, so it’s what Powelly brings. Outside of Nelson there’s not really a middle there that’s got that different game play in them.

“I think he’s definitely up to it, he’s got a motor like not many middles do and the Storm have noticed that – we hear he’s had a great preseason down there.

“I think he finds a spot there on the bench, if not round one, then at some point this year for sure.”

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