Before the season had launched for the Broncos, the team already faced controversy after forward Joe Ofahengaue was issued a traffic infringement by Queensland police for being asleep in a stationary vehicle.
Two days after the end of the Nines competition, outside back Izaia Perese was stood down from all club duties by the Broncos, after he was charged by police with drug related offences.
[4] The Broncos had a shaky performance during the pre-season trials, beating the Central Queensland Capras convinvingly, while losing close games against the Cowboys, Titans and Wynnum Manly.
Injuries sidelined captain Alex Glenn, Matt Lodge and Joe Ofahengaue for the opening round, with Anthony Seibold choosing young forward Patrick Carrigan and new recruit Brodie Croft as co-captains against the Cowboys.
[14] Any optimism at the Broncos was quickly fizzled out the following week, with the injury-hit team suffering their heaviest defeat in history, losing 59-0 to the Sydney Roosters, who were without fullback James Tedesco after a high body temperature prevented him from flying up for the game.