Boom prop Thomas Flegler is on track to make his NRL debut against the Storm next week in what promises to be a baptism of fire for the 19-year-old Brisbane rookie.
Broncos coach Anthony Seibold unveiled his 'predicted Round 1 squad' at the club's season launch in Brisbane on Friday night with Test forward Matt Gillett named at lock and Tevita Pangai jnr slated to make his return from a hamstring strain on the bench.
Flegler - who was a key performer for the Souths Logan Magpies last year - is the latest in a production line of talented and young Brisbane forwards to make their debuts, following in the footsteps of Payne Haas and David Fifita last year.
He impressed in the three trials he played for the Broncos and will now rumble with the likes of Jesse Bromwich and Nelson Asofa-Solomona in the ultimate test of his mettle.
Gillett said Flegler would be up for the challenge.
"You know what you are going to get out of Fleggie, on the training paddock and in the games… and that is 100 percent effort," Gillett said.
"He has got one speed and that is 100 miles an hour. He has played every trial and there is a reason for that. He is a big fella and pretty aggressive. When he gets his time to play he is not going to let the lads down."
Matt Lodge and Joe Ofahengaue are set to team up as the Broncos starting props and Gillett said they were a formidable duo.
"They did a pretty good job for us last year and if they do that same role for us this year that will be impressive in back-to-back years," Gillett said.
"Joe got our forwards award last year and Lodgey was a smidgen off getting the Paul Morgan [Medal] award. For those two boys it is about carrying on what they did last year and building on their effort areas."
NSW Emerging Origin squad member and star for the Redcliffe Dolphins last season Kotoni Staggs has at this stage won the utility spot on the bench.
Broncos legend Sam Thaiday told NRL.com that Staggs was "an amazing young kid and an amazing talent".
"I saw him play in the All Stars game and he looked like he absolutely deserved to be there," Thaiday said.
"He did his bit for the team and he will do his bit for the Broncos this year."
Seibold has warned his forwards to expect the Storm to be coming straight for them in what he tipped would be an explosive confrontation.
"I would think that Jesse Bromwich, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Kenny Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi can't wait to have a red hot crack at our forward pack.
"It should be a really exciting match-up and an explosive game I would have thought, with some big boys on both teams.
"We're looking forward to that and I imagine Bellyache [Craig Bellamy] will have them primed. Like a good trainer with their horses, he'll have them ready to run."
Broncos team: Darius Boyd (c), Corey Oates, James Roberts, Jack Bird, Jamayne Isaako, Anthony Milford, Kodi Nikorima, Matt Lodge, Andrew McCullough, Joe Ofahengaue, Jaydn Su’A, Alex Glenn, Matt Gillett. Interchange: Kotoni Staggs, Tevita Pangai jnr, David Fifita, Thomas Flegler.
