🚪 The Brisbane Broncos organization is facing questions this week following the announcement that highly-touted young talent, Coby Black, has been granted an immediate release from the final year of his contract. The 19-year-old halfback is set to join the Canberra Raiders next season, a move that significantly shakes up the NRL development landscape for both clubs.
Initially, Black had secured a deal with the Canberra Raiders starting in 2027. However, an eagerness to link up with Ricky Stuart’s squad sooner, combined with a complicated depth chart at Red Hill, led to the Tuesday agreement for an early exit.
Maguire’s Balancing Act: Talent vs. Opportunity
Michael Maguire, the influential figure overseeing the Broncos, released a statement clarifying the club’s position. Maguire insisted that the Brisbane Broncos fully intended to retain Black, whom he recently lauded as the “future of the club” and the long-term successor to veteran Adam Reynolds at halfback.
However, the club’s recent recruitment moves complicated Black’s immediate path to NRL first grade. The Broncos had already secured the signing of promising halfback Jonah Pezet on a three-year deal starting in 2027, effectively muddying the waters for Black’s future trajectory. Furthermore, the acquisition of young Cowboys halfback Tom Duffy for the upcoming season made the competition for minutes behind established stars Reynolds and Ezra Mam even fiercer.
Maguire acknowledged the difficult decision, stating that while they wanted to hold onto the academy star, they were unwilling to block his opportunity to pursue a starting role. “Coby is a great young player, and we wish him all the best. Ultimately, we couldn’t stand in the way of him getting an exciting opportunity to continue his development,” a statement read.
The Raiders Halfback Contention
The move is a major win for the Canberra Raiders. Raiders recruitment manager Chris Hutchison expressed immediate excitement, noting Black’s strong ability demonstrated by his debut in the Queensland Cup at just 18 years old.
Black’s arrival immediately intensifies the Raiders’ race for a starting halves spot in 2026. Following the departure of experienced No. 7 Jamal Fogarty to Manly, the Raiders had planned to give young gun Ethan Sanders the first crack at the primary playmaking role, potentially alongside Ethan Strange. Now, Sanders faces stiff competition from Black. The 19-year-old will be determined to earn a permanent spot and prove his value immediately, marking the beginning of a fascinating new chapter in his professional rugby league career under Ricky Stuart.