Broncos Roster, Signings and Rumours Discussion 2024

[Santa]

I suspect fletcher is as much of a back rower as Palasia, Taupau or Oates were “back rowers”. From what I’ve seen he seems to have pretty much transitioned completely to the front row. I don’t know much about this Jaiyden guy but the best case scenario is he turns out to be some kind of hosking player that comes out of no where (which I doubt, for no good reason other than I haven’t seen jack shit of him so I could be wrong)


You make a good point here, It makes me think we have something in the works. Surely DD, Scalan, Walters and etc aren’t just expecting carrigan to play second row again if everything goes to shit. Surely they have a plan?

Carrigan at second row was pretty good though :)

 

[mrtij]

Carrigan at second row was pretty good though :)

Put the boy at fullback and he’d do a job I recon

 

[Broncorob]

I suspect fletcher is as much of a back rower as Palasia, Taupau or Oates were “back rowers”. From what I’ve seen he seems to have pretty much transitioned completely to the front row. I don’t know much about this Jaiyden guy but the best case scenario is he turns out to be some kind of hosking player that comes out of no where (which I doubt, for no good reason other than I haven’t seen jack shit of him so I could be wrong)


You make a good point here, It makes me think we have something in the works. Surely DD, Scalan, Walters and etc aren’t just expecting carrigan to play second row again if everything goes to shit. Surely they have a plan?

I don't disagree with assesment of Baker, but, his profile has him as a backrower coming through. So not foreogn to him. Hunt, maybe like Hosking, just needs some guns around him. Patty not a backrower either but when required under the system did a good enough job. Scored his first meat pie IIRC

 

[mrtij]

I don't disagree with assesment of Baker, but, his profile has him as a backrower coming through. So not foreogn to him. Hunt, maybe like Hosking, just needs some guns around him. Patty not a backrower either but when required under the system did a good enough job. Scored his first meat pie IIRC

Yeah not ideal. Even though his profile might say he’s a back rower I still would feel more confident with a genuine backrower than a middle that can fill in at back row.

And with Patty I give him a pass because he is such a gun, but again ideally if injuries happen you’d rather keep Patty in the middle where he does his best work rather than to chuck him on an edge. I think it’s no good to weaken one position just to make another competent.

I’m not saying we need some gun back rower in the wings, just preferably someone who has it as their primary position rather than some middle that could fill in there.

 

[Sproj]

If worse comes to worst, you could shift Patty and bring Kobe in to 13 and still be pretty strong

 

[Broncorob]

Yeah not ideal. Even though his profile might say he’s a back rower I still would feel more confident with a genuine backrower than a middle that can fill in at back row.

And with Patty I give him a pass because he is such a gun, but again ideally if injuries happen you’d rather keep Patty in the middle where he does his best work rather than to chuck him on an edge. I think it’s no good to weaken one position just to make another competent.

I’m not saying we need some gun back rower in the wings, just preferably someone who has it as their primary position rather than some middle that could fill in there.

maybe J Hunt is our moneyball

who knows

 

[Swordfish]

If worse comes to worst, you could shift Patty and bring Kobe in to 13 and still be pretty strong

Yup, for mine our starting middle should be Patty, Payne & Kobe. Our bench can then have all the probables who standout at training. That being said, I don’t want any injuries to our top 1-21 throughout 2024.

 

[Big Del]

But that's only because Oates was coming back from injury and that wing still has his name on it.

He`s got his work cut out for him .
The sprint coach is gonna need to work a miracle to get C Oates back in 1st grade In front of Arthars .

 

[NSW stables]

Willison also trained at second row last year when riki or capewell were ooking like they may be out and piakura was not available, but in the end wasn't needed. So he may cover.

However, most agree it would be best to have specialist second row depth player. So the option will need to be cheap, most first grade players will not move to become depth players at other clubs so that is not an option, and we don't have funds to outbid others. So I would be looking at any mature qcup players in our affiliates or depth players in other teams.

Jacob Alick, who Picked up qcup second rower of the year this year and PNG rep. Contracted to the titans until 24, but there is a bit of depth there with fifita, fermor, stimson etc so may be interested in a move. Other option could be luke garner at the panthers, but even he was next in line if hosking or Martin went down.

 

[Fitzy]

It will be a case of recruitment. We well and truely have enough players who can play second row if we have the 3 specialists. You have to spend a certain amount of cap every year and not only did we just lose 500k off the cap we have a number of open positions on top of that which would have set aside cap. I’m not saying we have to overspend on a replacement but I still think we want a specialist playing cup/benching as well as training in the position. Obviously we have Jett Bryce in the wings so the youngster is covered but he isn’t going to provide any value in first grade this year and potentially the year after that. Just need to find ourselves a specialist second rower they don’t have to be any better than Baker or Hunt they just have to be training and playing there so that when called upon there is no rust and there position specific builds won’t hamper there ability to play second row. Especially Baker he played at a weight in 22 that gave him no chance of playing SR. Will be interesting to see what happens but in my opinion we need more than just train and trial upgrades for this one.

Wouldn’t mind EQW getting an upgrade and maybe Rogers if Paix leaves but other than that I can’t really see any of the others getting a deal.

 

[McHunt]

Tristan Sailor might be on the market:

Tristan Sailor could still make the move to England next season, after Love Rugby League has been told his management still remains in contact with clubs in Super League about a potential switch for 2024. ​

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Rugby League Live revealed earlier this year how Sailor had been offered to clubs for next season, with his future at Brisbane Broncos seemingly uncertain.​

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Son of former dual-code Australia great Wendell Sailor, the 25-year-old is still under contract at the Broncos next year, but his management had offered the player to clubs in Super League with Sailor reportedly interested in a move.​

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Hull FC and Catalans Dragons were two clubs named as admirers of Sailor at the time and while no move has been signed off, interest remains bubbling away under the surface in the player.​

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Love Rugby League has been told that at least two top-flight clubs have been made aware of Sailor’s continued availability, with deliberations ongoing behind the scenes about whether to table a deal for the player.​

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Capable of playing in a multitude of positions across the entire backline, Sailor’s utility value would add great depth to a number of teams for next year. However, there remains one major sticking point: the possibility of getting a deal over the line due to overseas quota regulations.​

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As things stand, Sailor would potentially fail to meet the threshold required to get a working visa to play in Super League when it comes to the number of games he has played. Clubs would therefore have to apply for dispensation to allow him to be registered for a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE), which would enable him to make the move.​

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The numbers concerning Sailor’s situation are tight, though. To secure a GBE for a player coming from the NRL, they have to have played 50 per cent of NRL matches in the qualifying period – which, in this case, if an application is made after August, considers the 2022 and 2023 seasons.​

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Sailor has played just four times for Brisbane this season and last year, he wasn’t under contract at any NRL club, meaning he would automatically fail in that criteria – and by some distance.​

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But there is a secondary category which could potentially enable Sailor to make the move. The RFL will consider any player against secondary criteria specifically for players 25 or under – Sailor is 25 – at the age of application. That details that a player must feature in 25 per cent of his club’s NRL matches – including play-offs – in the current season.​

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The Broncos played 27 games including the play-offs in 2023, meaning that with Sailor’s four appearances, he has an appearance percentage of 14.81%: below the threshold once again. But it is hoped that given how he wasn’t under contract at any club last year, that could leave the door ajar for dispensation to be granted.​

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Exclusive: Brisbane Broncos utility remains on Super League radar for 2024 with talks ongoing

Tristan Sailor could still make the move to England next season, with his management still in contact with Super League clubs about a potential switch.

www.loverugbyleague.com

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[Lockysillegitimatechild]

Willison also trained at second row last year when riki or capewell were ooking like they may be out and piakura was not available, but in the end wasn't needed. So he may cover.

However, most agree it would be best to have specialist second row depth player. So the option will need to be cheap, most first grade players will not move to become depth players at other clubs so that is not an option, and we don't have funds to outbid others. So I would be looking at any mature qcup players in our affiliates or depth players in other teams.

Jacob Alick, who Picked up qcup second rower of the year this year and PNG rep. Contracted to the titans until 24, but there is a bit of depth there with fifita, fermor, stimson etc so may be interested in a move. Other option could be luke garner at the panthers, but even he was next in line if hosking or Martin went down.

I like the choices but just can't see them happening. If they let them go those teams get into the same position we are with depth. And we don't have a good relationship with either side.

I was hoping we got the warriors young fella on loan for a year. Can't remember his name but showed promise and would likely play more 1st grade for us, making him a better player for the warriors.

That ship has sailed so I hope we look to England. I actually thought we needed a good-qld cup-level backup second rower already so I hope we still go for that on top of a quality depth option. Curtis sironen or sione matiuatai could be options for the right price. That is the big thing, we need to save money with the option we take.

The other thing I was thinking was kotoni to second row. I doubt it will or should happen but maybe it is a more likely scenario then we think. He'd be a great defend one more in (brings out his qualities in defence whilst hiding his deficiencies in defence), he has the running game, and it'd bring experience to the left edge. I don't think it will or should happen, but just a thought.

 

[McHunt]

I like the choices but just can't see them happening. If they let them go those teams get into the same position we are with depth. And we don't have a good relationship with either side.

I was hoping we got the warriors young fella on loan for a year. Can't remember his name but showed promise and would likely play more 1st grade for us, making him a better player for the warriors.

That ship has sailed so I hope we look to England. I actually thought we needed a good-qld cup-level backup second rower already so I hope we still go for that on top of a quality depth option. Curtis sironen or sione matiuatai could be options for the right price. That is the big thing, we need to save money with the option we take.

The other thing I was thinking was kotoni to second row. I doubt it will or should happen but maybe it is a more likely scenario then we think. He'd be a great defend one more in (brings out his qualities in defence whilst hiding his deficiencies in defence), he has the running game, and it'd bring experience to the left edge. I don't think it will or should happen, but just a thought.

We must be pretty strapped for cash to release Capewell early.

 

[Sproj]

We must be pretty strapped for cash to release Capewell early.

Yes you would think so. I guess the other option is that releasing him early allows us to front-end / upgrade Walsh / Mam early.

 

[BroncsFan]

If we lose Tristan Sailor on top of Capewell then I hope to hell there is a plan in place for depth.

Tristan is our backup fullback, and could also fill in at 6 if needed i.e. Jock not available or already playing.

Arthars and Cobbo looked to be the only other ones that can play fullback across the squad, but they're already starters so if they become the backup fullback then we start to look short at centre and on the wings (after Oates moves to one wing).

That's on top of how short we now are at second row.

Suddenly a couple injuries or restings (around origin) means we're playing a lot of Qld cup quality in the team.

Wing depth is Oates, Pereira and Hoeter... centre depth is... Hoeter?? (if we're excluding Arthars and Cobbo given they're aready starters).

Oates can obviously provide first grade quality depth and would allow Arthars or Cobbo to centre... but we've then got moving parts across the 17 to compensate missing players.

I think Pereira won Qcup winger of the year last year?? but played the reserve grade storm in Rd 27 last year and looked a bit off the pace in first grade.

Hoeter got his 1 game in Rd 27 last year as well, but is getting older and hasn't been able to solidify a first grade spot. He filled in admirably in 2022 when needed, so it would be hoped he can do that again.

Beyond that is Leota in the development contracts, but I think reports from 1910 and co was that he wasn't quite as impressive as you'd hope coming into Qcup.

Current players outside the 17 are below... although one of them is still required to fill that last spot on the bench with Capewell leaving.

I think we've got 3 spots left in our Top 30, so I'd say we need an outside back and a second rower at minimum. If Sailor leaves then we need to find another utility type player like TMM was in 2022 and Sailor was in 2023. Loan deals could be what we need... solves a short term need and we don't have to invest in longer term deals, but players may come for an opportunity to play with us.

Middles
- Xavier Willison (may be in the 17 each week with Capewell leaving)
- Martin Taupau
- Ben Te Kura

Second row
- Jaiyden Hunt (barely... I feel he's more a middle than anything)

Backs
- Corey Oates (may be in the 17 each week as utility back off the bench)
- Jordan Pereira
- Delouise Hoeter
- Israel Leota (development deal)

Halves
- Jock Madden
- Josh Rogers (development deal)
- Coby Black (development deal)

Fullback
- Tristan Sailor

Hooker
- Cory Paix
- Blake Mozer

 

[McHunt]

Yes you would think so. I guess the other option is that releasing him early allows us to front-end / upgrade Walsh / Mam early.

I imagine the conversation must've been: "it's not you, it's us."

 

[McHunt]

If we lose Tristan Sailor on top of Capewell then I hope to hell there is a plan in place for depth.

Tristan is our backup fullback, and could also fill in at 6 if needed i.e. Jock not available or already playing.

Arthars and Cobbo looked to be the only other ones that can play fullback across the squad, but they're already starters so if they become the backup fullback then we start to look short at centre and on the wings (after Oates moves to one wing).

That's on top of how short we now are at second row.

Suddenly a couple injuries or restings (around origin) means we're playing a lot of Qld cup quality in the team.

Wing depth is Oates, Pereira and Hoeter... centre depth is... Hoeter?? (if we're excluding Arthars and Cobbo given they're aready starters).

Oates can obviously provide first grade quality depth and would allow Arthars or Cobbo to centre... but we've then got moving parts across the 17 to compensate missing players.

I think Pereira won Qcup winger of the year last year?? but played the reserve grade storm in Rd 27 last year and looked a bit off the pace in first grade.

Hoeter got his 1 game in Rd 27 last year as well, but is getting older and hasn't been able to solidify a first grade spot. He filled in admirably in 2022 when needed, so it would be hoped he can do that again.

Beyond that is Leota in the development contracts, but I think reports from 1910 and co was that he wasn't quite as impressive as you'd hope coming into Qcup.

Current players outside the 17 are below... although one of them is still required to fill that last spot on the bench with Capewell leaving.

I think we've got 3 spots left in our Top 30, so I'd say we need an outside back and a second rower at minimum. If Sailor leaves then we need to find another utility type player like TMM was in 2022 and Sailor was in 2023. Loan deals could be what we need... solves a short term need and we don't have to invest in longer term deals, but players may come for an opportunity to play with us.

Middles
- Xavier Willison (may be in the 17 each week with Capewell leaving)
- Martin Taupau
- Ben Te Kura

Second row
- Jaiyden Hunt (barely... I feel he's more a middle than anything)

Backs
- Corey Oates (may be in the 17 each week as utility back off the bench)
- Jordan Pereira
- Delouise Hoeter
- Israel Leota (development deal)

Halves
- Jock Madden
- Josh Rogers (development deal)
- Coby Black (development deal)

Fullback
- Tristan Sailor

Hooker
- Cory Paix
- Blake Mozer

Cobbo is pretty good depth at fullback and wants to play there. We're well covered in the 3/4's.
Paix is overkill at hooker. He can leave now.
Halves are questionable but we do have depth in Madden and Rogers.

 

[BroncsFan]

Cobbo is pretty good depth at fullback and wants to play there. We're well covered in the 3/4's.
Paix is overkill at hooker. He can leave now.
Halves are questionable but we do have depth in Madden and Rogers.

Well covered in the 3/4's... I'm not so sure.

Outside of the starters (Cobbo, Arthars, Mariner and Staggs), it's Oates and then 30yr old Pereira and 29yr old Hoeter who have played a combined 17 games over the last 3yr of NRL... 17 out of a possible 144 games between the two of them.

Cobbo being the depth for fullback means Oates comes in as cover... but anymore changes beyond that and it's Pereira or Hoeter coming in.

If Cobbo is playing left center next year but covering fullback that would mean a new fullback, new center (Mariner/Arthars to cover Cobbo) and new winger... to compensate one player being out. It's a lot of moving parts rather than next man up.