The Mole: Broncos to lose young gun, ex-NSW Origin star finished in NRL at just 30

The Broncos' shocking start to 2021 is set to cost the club the services of boom back-rower Brendan Piakura.

Rated the game's next big thing, the teenager has attracted the interest of nine clubs.

But Wide World of Sports has been told that Piakura has decided to quit the Broncos at season's end and join the Bulldogs.

Trent Barrett gave the hard-running youngster a tour of the Canterbury facilities recently and sees Piakura as a key signing for the long-term.

Piakura's family are urging the back-rower to make the move, believing the Bulldogs are the best fit.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters has entered negotiations in a desperate attempt to keep the rookie on board, but I have been told that Piakura's mind is made up and he is Belmore bound.

His departure will add to the Broncos' woes - the club has lost 13 straight games and last week were stung by another key departure, that of highly-rated fullback Reece Walsh to the Warriors.

NORMAN FACING MASSIVE PAY CUT

Corey Norman played his best game for some time in the Dragons' upset win over the Cowboys - but still faces the prospect of a massive pay cut for 2022.

The former Queensland State of Origin five-eighth joined the Dragons on a massive $800,000 a season deal in 2019 but hasn't lived up to the hype.

Problems off the field haven't helped his cause but on his day, he remains a class act and he looked sharp in the win over the Cowboys last weekend.

The Dragons won't offer him much more than half his current wage to stay, however, while his chequered history will make rival clubs think twice before offering much more.

PANTHERS CHASING BIG BOPPERS

The Panthers are on the lookout for two big bodies to fill their roster and give them more size up front.

Despite a strong start to 2021, the Panthers believe they are light on front-rowers after losing Jack Hetherington (Bulldogs), James Tamou (Wests Tigers) and Zane Tetevano (Leeds) over the summer.

One man the Panthers were linked to was David Fifita - the former Tigers prop and twin brother of Shark Andrew.

But it won't be happening, with David pledging his allegiance to his current club, Wakefield in England.

PEATS GONE FROM NRL AT JUST 30

Four years ago he was a NSW State of Origin player and one of the game's star hookers.

But after being cut by Gold Coast at the end of last season, Nathan Peats has been unable to find another NRL club and has agreed to terms with English battlers Leigh.

The 30-year-old, who played just eight games for the Titans last season, is waiting on visa approval and other red tape to make the move to the UK.

A South Sydney junior, Peats debuted for the Rabbitohs in 2011 and also had a stint with the Eels before linking up with the Titans.

With Manly and Wests Tigers both skinny in the hooking ranks, he was expected to get a deal to stay in the NRL but it never came to be.