As one of Brisbane’s more experienced forwards, Corey Jensen is well placed to claim a starting spot in 2024 but he knows the competition will be hot from young guns and old heads alike.
With Tom Flegler, Kurt Capewell and Keenan Palasia departing, the prop is pushing his claims to earn back a starting position after the disappointment of missing out on the finals series after playing 21 games during the season.
Jensen knows he will have to stave off challenges from fellow veteran Martin Taupau and rising stars like Xavier Willison and Benjamin Te Kura, while new recruits Fletcher Baker and Jaiyden Hunt are also in the mix for Brisbane’s season opener in Las Vegas.
“We've lost a fair chunk of the forward pack who played the grand final and there's a lot of young guys coming through and then Marty and myself, we have a bit more experience; but we're all gunning for positions,” Jensen said.
“Having competition is really helpful for the club and it pushes each other and they're pushing me every day and I'm trying to do the same for them, so we're training hard and whoever gets a spot will do the job.
“It's a lot of experience [the club have lost], but I think the club's in a great position with a lot of the younger players coming through and it might take a little bit of time for them to nurture through, but I've seen a lot of upside and potential in these young blokes.
“Benny Te Kura, Xavier, [back] Deine Mariner and all these guys who are very young and have tasted first grade or potentially will play first grade and they'll play for a lot of first grade for a long time.”
Now 30 and just three games away from racking up career game No.100, Jensen has spent the summer finding improvements in his own game to help push his case, while maintaining a team-first focus and being willing to help develop his positional rivals.
“I think the club's in a great position and it's just about us working hard,” the former Cowboy said.
“I just try and train hard and try and really set an example for a lot of the guys here.
“I'm not getting any younger and I have got to try and find ways to keep myself on my toes and keep getting better.
“I'm trying to do that and just trying to implement little things, but also help out the young guys as well.”
Arthars: We're working hard towards Las Vegas
One of the last club’s to return to pre-season training, the Broncos currently have all their players back on duty, but do a few players being monitored with injuries, including forwards Baker – who is recovering from groin surgery – and Jordan Riki, who is returning from shoulder surgery.
Payne Haas also trained separately from the main group in an effort to help manage his workload after reporting general hamstring tightness, but all are on track for selection for the game in Vegas, as is Jesse Arthars, who suffered an ankle injury in training last week.
