It's doubtful if any team since 1908 will go through a more gut-wrenching off-season than the Broncos are about to embark on in the next few months.Kevin Walters' men head into summer with the nightmare realisation that they had the premiership won … and then saw it slip away in just 14 minutes.The Broncos were the better team for much of one of the great grand finals, and when Ezra Mam galloped over for a stunning hat-trick midway through the second half, even the most ardent Panthers fan thought the three-peat was dead.But it was then that the Panthers' big game experience - and the Broncos' lack of it - kicked in and Nathan Cleary orchestrated the great escape with three tries to snatch the decider 26-24.Reynolds has been unfairly targeted by some critics for the Broncos' late collapse in the big dance - without his cool head, the Broncos would never have got as far as they did.Up front, Payne Haas continued to break records with his amazing motor, often topping the running metres and tackle count.Fellow forwards Pat Carrigan, Tom Flegler, Billy Walters and Jordan Riki all enjoyed career best seasons as the Broncos established themselves as a team to be feared in 2024 and beyond.When the players sit down and do their season review, it will be painful - but they will be better for it in the long run and again shape as the Panthers' biggest danger next season.
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