Broncos' 2003 Season - Nightmare on Suncorp
by
Tuesday December 16, 2003

2003 began with much excitement and anticipation for the Brisbane Broncos.  After falling so agonisingly short of a sixth Grand Final appearance in 2002, there was real hunger to go a step further, with the added motivation of a return to the spiritual home of Rugby League in Brisbane, the revamped Lang Park, inspiring plenty of confidence.

However, season 2003 went from a dream to a nightmare as the season progressed.

There were major changes of personnel in the offseason.  Allan Langer had finally retired, Lote Tuqiri (Rugby Union), Ashley Harrison and Chris and Shane Walker (South Sydney) had moved on, while Ben Ikin was to finally return after two heartbreaking seasons with knee injuries, and Scott Prince back on deck after back-to-back knee breaks. Melbourne Storm's New Zealand international hooker, Richard Swain, also came on board, the first recognised, specialist hooker the Broncos had played really since Kerrod Walters' departure in 1996.

The Broncos started their season with a charity touch football event in Canberra, benefitting the victims of the horrendous ACT bushfires that left thousands of homes destroyed in the New Year.

The following weekend the Broncos were bundled out of the World Sevens tournament early.  Parramatta went on to win the prize, beating Great Britain in the final, much to the excitement of coach Brian Smith. Little was he to know that his jubilation would be followed by his team's worst season since he took over the coaching reins in 1997.

The Broncos took on two hefty challenges for their preseason trials. The Bulldogs, who many tipped to be the 2002 premiers before their highly publicised salary cap debacle, were first on the agenda on a balmy Gold Coast night at Carrara.  After jumping to a 12-0 half time lead, the Bulldogs were overpowered by the Broncos in the end, with the locals running in three tries in the final 10 minutes to win 32-18.

The match also marked a successful return to playing for Ben Ikin, who got through most of the match and played relatively strongly.

The following week it was the traditional trip up the mountains to Toowoomba, and this year a clash with defending premiers Sydney Roosters.  As has been the case every year for the past four seasons, the Broncos were greeted with rain and fog.  However, it did not detract from the quality of the contest, with both sides playing a high intensity game which the Broncos eventually won 22-18.

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