LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The Brisbane Broncos have been slammed for splashing the cash on young up-and-comers, rather than investing in seasoned veterans to bolster their squad.
Founding Broncos director and chairman Barry Maranta has urged the team to follow in the footsteps of legendary coach Wayne Bennett and recruit some tough forwards who know how to grind out wins.
Maranta believes that the Broncos have fallen into the trap of overpaying promising youngsters, without the experience and grit of older players to guide them.
"You can't expect 20 and 21-year-olds to outmuscle and outsmart seasoned 28 and 29-year-olds on the field," he stated.
"I've been around the rugby league block a few times with owning both the Broncos and London Broncos, and I know the allure of paying for potential.
But it's clear that we are lacking the hard-nosed players who can steer us towards success," Maranta added.
He is now seeking a sit-down with the team's decision-makers to discuss how they plan to acquire these "hard heads" and inject some much-needed experience into the roster.
The Broncos are facing criticism for their recruitment strategy, with many questioning whether they have the resources to bring in the kind of players needed to compete at the highest level.