Broncos slump to worst title defence since 1953 as NRL order shifts

Brisbane's reign as NRL premiers has ended in one of the bleaker seasons in the club's history, with the Broncos confirmed out of contention for the 2026 finals, according to Guardian Rugby League.

It is the worst title defence by a reigning premier since Western Suburbs finished at the bottom of the ladder in 1953, the report states.

The scale of the collapse has been felt beyond the field. Two long-time favourites among the Broncos playing group have already said their goodbyes to supporters this season, with finals hopes gone well before the run home.

The situation at Red Hill has become serious enough that the club's chief executive fronted the media this week, an unusual step for the position and a sign of how much scrutiny the season has drawn, according to the report.

Brisbane remains the best-supported club in the NRL, which only sharpens the contrast between the club's off-field standing and its results in 2026.

The Broncos are not alone in falling away. Last year's top four of the Broncos, Raiders, Storm and Bulldogs have all missed out on this year's finals series, according to Guardian Rugby League, a clean sweep that amounts to a rare shake-up of the competition's established order.

With the regular season concluding this weekend, there is no certainty that any of the fallen powers will return quickly to the top of the ladder, the report notes, leaving the finals picture reshaped heading into September.