The Brisbane Broncos have reportedly suffered a significant blow to their 2026 recruitment strategy, with the high-stakes pursuit of a South Sydney Rabbitohs second-row forward coming to an abrupt and unsuccessful end. Despite the Broncos tabling what was described as a “lucrative multi-year contract,” the Rabbitohs’ young star has opted to remain at Redfern, dealing a major setback to Michael Maguire’s plans to reshape the Brisbane engine room.
The failed negotiation marks a rare recruitment miss for the Broncos, who have been aggressive in the player market since Maguire took the helm. The Brisbane hierarchy had identified the South Sydney back-rower as a priority target, viewing his explosive running and defensive versatility as the perfect complement to current stars like Patrick Carrigan and Payne Haas.
The Anatomy of a Failed Transfer
Reports suggest that the Broncos were prepared to offer a three-year deal worth significant figures to lure the “highly-rated” forward north. The intent was clear: Brisbane wanted a seasoned yet youthful edge forward to fill the void potentially left by future roster movements. However, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, led by Wayne Bennett, launched a fierce counter-offensive to retain their home-grown talent.
The collapse of the deal is being attributed to the Rabbitohs’ late-stage intervention, which included a competitive contract extension and a guarantee of a starting role in the 2026 Top 30 roster. For the Broncos, who are currently balancing the salary cap pressures of marquee stars like Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam, the inability to close this deal means they must now pivot to secondary targets as the pre-season intensifies.
Why the “Green Machine” and Broncos Both Missed Out
Interestingly, this player was at the center of a two-way tug-of-war, with both the Canberra Raiders and the Brisbane Broncos previously linked to his signature. The Raiders’ pursuit reportedly broke down earlier this month due to registration technicalities, leaving the door wide open for Brisbane.
Ultimately, the lure of staying under the tutelage of Wayne Bennett at Heffron Park proved more enticing than a move to Suncorp Stadium. The Rabbitohs have faced a grueling 2025 season marred by injuries, but by retaining their key forwards, they are signaling a strong intent to remain premiership contenders. For Brisbane, the “not successful” outcome of this deal leaves a glaring gap in their second-row depth that Michael Maguire will be desperate to address before the 2026 season opener.
Maguire’s Search for Forward Depth Continues
While the Broncos have recently secured the likes of Kane Bradley and Mason Teague on “train and trial” deals to bolster their ranks, neither possesses the immediate “star power” of the Rabbitohs forward they were chasing. The Brisbane front office is now expected to scan the Super League and rival NRL clubs for a similar high-impact forward who can provide the physicality Maguire demands.
The Broncos’ failure to secure this signature also highlights the tightening of the player market. As the $81 million Brisbane brand looks to take its product global—with eyes on the Middle East market—on-field success remains the primary driver of commercial value. Missing out on elite targets like this makes the path back to the Grand Final significantly steeper.