Brisbane's 'Big Four" only started in four games last year and Reece Walsh says "it is scary" how they could light up the NRL with more games together in 2026.
The Broncos will take heart from the fact that their best spine of Walsh, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt hardly played together in 2025 but they still won the premiership.
"To be honest, I don't think we even scratched the surface with what we can do as a spine," Walsh said.
"If we can all continue to grow and try and gel as much as we can and get on the same page, it's exciting for us as a team for sure."
Cory Paix, who started in the grand final at No.9, will also be a key contributor.
Walsh and Mam have a close rapport and lit up the 2023 decider before Penrith triumphed.
Walsh was Clive Churchill Medal winner last year at fullback and Mam was brilliant coming off the bench. The pair have more to give in cahoots with Hunt and Reynolds.
"I just think our connection's probably our biggest strength. Us connecting together as a spine, I don't feel like we've mastered that yet," Walsh said.
"So it's pretty scary. If we all get in that mindset where we're connected and we're flowing and we're directing this team around, it's exciting for what's ahead."
Hunt was signed to play hooker and give Brisbane the "dream spine" to win a premiership. That worked out like a treat in the end, but it all unfolded in an unplanned and unexpected way.
Mam was suspended until round 11, Walsh injured a PCL and Hunt tore a hamstring and both missed six games.
Then Reynolds and Mam were both out for five weeks in the latter stages of the year with hamstring tears.
The quartet reunited for the preliminary final and grand final, but Mam came off the bench in both games.
He will start this season alongside Reynolds in the halves. Hunt is expecting to start against the Panthers on Friday night with Cory Paix likely on the bench. Paix did start in the World Club Challenge, but the Broncos missed the jump in a 30-24 loss.
Hunt told AAP he just hoped the quartet could "stay healthy" and unleash their wares.
"It is just the consistency in playing more together and getting that connection as we learn how each other plays," he said.
"It's nice to pass those guys the ball. Reyno is the little general and organiser. Ezra is the live spark who when you give him the ball you don't know what is going to happen and you've got Walshy cruising around on both sides."
