The Brisbane Broncos have quietly intensified their recruitment strategy in the lead-up to the 2025 NRL season. By securing several players with established first-grade experience, Kevin Walters’ side is looking to build significant depth. However, a specific NRL salary cap regulation means fans won’t see these new faces in top-flight action immediately.
Recent signings include Kane Bradley from the Melbourne Storm, Mason Teague from the Newcastle Knights, former Penrith Panthers forward Preston Riki, and ex-North Queensland Cowboys prospect Jamal Shibasaki. While these names bring versatile skill sets to Red Hill, they have all joined on “train and trial” contracts—a move that carries strict eligibility hurdles.
The Round 11 Rule: Understanding NRL Contract Restrictions
Under current NRL roster guidelines, players signed to train and trial deals are ineligible to play first-grade football until Round 11 of the premiership season. This rule is designed to protect the integrity of the Top 30 roster and ensure that clubs prioritize their primary contracted players early in the year.
The NRL hierarchy implements this “waiting period” to prevent clubs from circumventing salary cap pressures by filling gaps with cheap, short-term labor. Unless the Broncos experience a catastrophic injury crisis—which would require a formal application to the NRL for “special permission”—Bradley, Teague, and Riki will be sidelined from the NRL stage for the first three months of the competition.
Financial Structure of Train and Trial Deals
For the players, these contracts are essentially an extended audition. A standard train and trial participant earns approximately $1,200 per week. This is a modest sum compared to Top 30 earners, though it serves as a gateway to more lucrative opportunities.
If a player manages to break into the first-grade side after Round 10, they receive a significant match payment of $3,000 per NRL appearance. For the Broncos, this represents a low-risk, high-reward investment. They gain access to experienced professionals without immediately committing a spot in their prized Top 30 roster or a large portion of their salary cap.
Who are the Broncos’ New Recruits?
The influx of talent from powerhouse systems like the Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers suggests Brisbane is targeting “winning cultures.”
* Kane Bradley: A towering outside back who provides much-needed height and utility value.
* Preston Riki: A hard-running forward who spent time in the Panthers’ elite development system, known for producing high-IQ defenders.
* Mason Teague: A former Knights middle forward looking for a fresh start in a competitive pack.
* Jamal Shibasaki: A young prospect with a high ceiling, previously identified as a future star in the Cowboys’ ranks.
Long-Term Strategy for Kevin Walters
By snapping up players cut loose by rival clubs, the Broncos are essentially creating an internal competition for the remaining spots in their full-time squad. These recruits will spend the pre-season and the first 10 rounds of 2025 playing for Brisbane’s affiliate clubs in the Hostplus Cup (Queensland Cup).
If they impress during their time in the state league, they could be the “secret weapons” that refresh the Broncos’ campaign during the grueling Origin period. While the 10-week wait may frustrate some fans, it provides the Brisbane coaching staff with a valuable window to see who truly has the grit to earn a permanent spot in the famous maroon and gold jersey.