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2016 NRL Grand Final Day.

Competition - Intrust Super Championship.
Round - Grand Final

In what is an ominous warning for the rest of the competition, Broncos captain Darius Boyd says that the addition of assistant coach Jason Demetriou will give his side another dimension in attack. 

Seen by some as a succession plan for life after Wayne Bennett, Demetriou joined the Broncos in the off-season after a hugely successful one-year stint with the Illawarra Cutters in the Intrust Super Premiership. 

‌Demetriou coached his side to the 2016 premiership, and in the process he was named coach of the Intrust Super Premiership Team of the Year. 

The Cutters went on to win the State Championship, putting on an attacking masterclass to defeat the Burleigh Bears 54-12. 

This attacking prowess is a huge part of Demetriou's coaching style, and the Broncos hope it will help their halves pairing of Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt pile on the points.  

"It's been a really good pre-season. Our club has a lot of depth this year," Boyd said.   

"Our new assistant coach Jason Demetriou has been really focusing on our attack, particularly in our halves. 

"It's an exciting time. It will take a few weeks for all these new skills to be at their best, but I think coming into the back end of the season it will really benefit us." 

Brisbane will be hoping they are still in contention come the end of the season, with their depth set to again be tested over the State of Origin period. 

But with a number of off-season recruits arriving at Red Hill, Boyd said his side is in a better position than they were 12 months ago. 

"The inclusions in the off-season have really helped us, plus we have some great young guys who have played in the NRL before," he said. 

"There are definitely some young front-rowers that everyone should keep an eye on. 

"Herman Ese'ese and Tevita Pangai Jnr played a couple of games for us last year and I expect both of them to be up there when competing for the spots that have been left vacant by the retirement of Corey Parker and the loss of Jarrod Wallace to the Titans. 

"Tautau Moga is another one to look out for. He is a huge centre. 

"He's had a few injuries throughout his career so hopefully he can stay fit. I'm sure if he does you'll see him make an appearance in a few NRL games this year." 

When these young stars next take the field in the NRL they will be playing under the captaincy of Boyd for the first time after Bennett named him as Corey Parker's replacement.  

But Boyd has insisted that there will be many other leaders out on the park with him, with the likes of Alex Glenn, Matt Gillett and Sam Thaiday all set to give Boyd a helping hand. 

"It's still a bit daunting [being the captain]. I am sure it's something that will take some getting used to," he said. 

"I'm lucky that I have a lot of senior leaders at the club that I can lean on and I know they'll help me through the year." 

This article first appeared on NRL.com

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