Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

I see you added some part timers.. thanks for that .. any of those except for Johhanson are realistic first graders in 25 .. or juniors retained for 26 and beyond ?
 
BRONCOS BATTLE TO KEEP X-FACTOR

The Broncos lost Tom Flegler to the Dolphins and now Brisbane are facing a battle to keep another promising prop in Xavier Willison.

Sport Confidential can reveal Willison is a man in demand with the athletic front-rower seeking a major pay rise to remain at the Broncos beyond next season.

More than 30 front-rowers are free agents from November and few are as talented as the rising Willison, who is off-contract at the Broncos at the end of 2025.

The 22-year-old was one of the shining lights of Brisbane’s disappointing 2024 campaign, enjoying a breakout season that saw him play 19 games for the Broncos and represent the Maori All Stars.

At 199cm and 114kg, Willison is one of the tallest players in world rugby league and he caught the eye this season with some rampaging bursts that exhibited impressive speed and mobility for a big bopper.

Willison is happy at the Broncos – his preference is to stay at Red Hill – but Brisbane face a healthy upgrade to keep him with NRL rivals watching his progress with interest.

It is understood Willison is on around $250,000 at the Broncos, but is seeking a wage increase on the back of the best season of his injury-plagued career.

The New Zealand-born bookend made his NRL debut in 2021 but played just 11 games in three seasons due a series of injuries, including an ACL tear three years ago that required a knee reconstruction.

The hard-running forward has played 30 games for the Broncos and while he is still developing, Brisbane cannot afford to lose another prop following the departure of Flegler last year.

Flegler quit the Broncos after last year’s grand final to join the Dolphins, leaving a front-row void this season that Willison and Corey Jensen have tried to fill as a partner for No.1 prop Payne Haas.

Willison started five times this season and underlined his talent against the Dolphins in the Battle of Brisbane in round 6, scoring a try, posting six tackle busts and charging for 181 metres in the Broncos’ 28-14 win.

The Broncos have two other props coming off contract next season in Jensen and Martin Taupau, but Brisbane bosses remain confident of securing Willison’s signature.
 
Maybe I’m naive, but isn’t Johansen a good prospect for us to develop for 2025? Perhaps he could even start next year? There’s also a bunch of younger props which will take longer to come through, but I’m of the opinion that we shouldn’t sign mediocre players, just take the time to develop what we have.
 
Bigscreentv said:
Maybe I’m naive, but isn’t Johansen a good prospect for us to develop for 2025? Perhaps he could even start next year? There’s also a bunch of younger props which will take longer to come through, but I’m of the opinion that we shouldn’t sign mediocre players, just take the time to develop what we have.
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I've got him as a maybe to play 2nd row right edge,
I'm sure he'll train there some over the summer anyway
it's a position we probably need depth in, and week
in week out NRL playing through the middle will be
too tough 4 him if he was ever asked/needed 2 do it
 
GNR4LIFE said:
It disturbs me how many are talking about JAC as a serious option.
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And to think we were once not that long ago, sweating on Jac & Latrells signatures. Need top rated players who think it's not all about them But the team. Big ask these days like finding paddock mushrooms in years gone bye
 
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The silence on recruitment means there must be a lot balls in the air.

All the recent signings have been easy wins & to be honest by all reports on very reasonable coin.

Skelton @$235k
Bird @$400k
Hunt unsure but have heard it wasn't overs for years 2 & 3. Just needed to cover Cronulla next year.

Trust the process. Large a loss yes but bigger picture currently there needs to be a few strategic decisions.

Let's see what's fall out of the tree. Hopefully we drop a few branches as well.
 
JB9918 said:
The silence on recruitment means there must be a lot balls in the air.

All the recent signings have been easy wins & to be honest by all reports on very reasonable coin.

Skelton @$235k
Bird @$400k
Hunt unsure but have heard it wasn't overs for years 2 & 3. Just needed to cover Cronulla next year.

Trust the process. Large a loss yes but bigger picture currently there needs to be a few strategic decisions.

Let's see what's fall out of the tree. Hopefully we drop a few branches as well.
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I think we have 30 blokes on contract so it’ll remain quiet until we can move one of those on.
 
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