You weirdly proved his point a bit more. Stars they are... But all bar one, including the two that are leaving, are Bronco's juniors.
It's also a question of how you define 'stars' but, more to the point, all of these guys have been with Broncos while they collected the wooden spoon in '21 and missed finals in '22 (Hass and Staggs - 2018, Flegler, Carrigan and Farnworth - 2019, Cobbo - 2021).
What changed for the Broncos? (It's a very similar scenario for StGI)
1. Seibold resigned - '21
2. Walters appointed (they 'just missed' Bellamy) - '22: Walters sacked Bird and Ofahengauie, shed lots of others, recruited Asiata, Kelly, Mead, Copley, Levi, James, Jensen, Capewell, Periera, Roberts (capable, solid guys, but not 'stars'). Tyson Gamble was OK at half but
Reynolds was recruited - so was Walsh at the end of the year. They also completely restructured the front office and appointed Ikin as Head of Football.
The way I see it, the Broncos players who are now really hitting their straps (have become stars in the last 2 years if you like) have been enabled to do so by good management, a re-focused and reinvigorated club and skillful - and passionate - coaching. They were already there.
Saints can do the same. The Broncos have already provided the blueprint. This is the challenge for Flanno.