They competed in the NRL's 2002 Telstra Premiership and finished the regular season in third position before going on to again come within one match of the grand final for the second consecutive year.
The 2002 NRL season saw the return of club legend Allan Langer to the Brisbane Broncos, following his successful comeback to Australian rugby league in the previous year's State of Origin decider.
[1] 2002 was also the beginning of Brisbane's recurring "post origin slump", which was to haunt the club for the next four years.
With nine players selected for Origin, Brisbane played six debutants, including Corey Parker, Scott Prince and Shaun Berrigan, ultimately defeating the Tigers 28–14.
[2][3] 1 The Bulldogs were deducted 37 premiership points due to gross salary cap breaches.