Tension as Broncos keen for ‘quiet chat’ with Slater
Updated . First published at
Xavier Willison is set to give the strife-torn Broncos a boost by signing a massive new three-year deal with the club.
Willison looked poised to go onto the open market in November, with a host of clubs interested in the massive forward.
Willison has 67 caps with the Broncos Matt King
But sources have told nine.com.au that Willison is close to putting pen to paper on a contract worth around $950,000 a year.
With Payne Haas heading to Souths next season, the Broncos are desperate to keep the imposing 23-year-old in their ranks beyond the end of his current deal that expires at the end of 2027.
Kiwi-born Willison, who has been in the Broncos’ system since he was a raw, string bean 15-year-old, will now remain at the club until the end of the 2030 season.
He will become the second highest-paid player in the club, with superstar fullback Reece Walsh believed to be on a deal worth around $1.25 million a season.
The Broncos have lost eight games in a row - a record low for a reigning grand final winning team - and Willison is set to give the club some much-needed good news in the midst of a dismal season.
Reigning premiers want quiet chat with Slater
There are rumours swirling around the game that the Broncos are likely to ask for a quiet “chat” with Billy Slater once the Origin hype dies down in coming weeks.
Slater has declined to commit to coaching Queensland long term, sparking speculation that he could be in line for another gig.
The former champion Storm fullback is held in high regard for the way he has led Queensland and many former greats see him as a future NRL club coach.
Melbourne also sees him as the ideal man to replace Craig Bellamy when he hangs up his clipboard.
There’s clear tension between Broncos coach Michael Maguire and the playing group after that run of eight straight losses and watching the team play, it’s obvious something has gone missing after last year’s drought-breaking title win.
You have to feel for Maguire if he is sent packing - his only ‘crime’ seems to be pushing the Broncos players harder than they want to be pushed.
Michael Maguire is under mounting pressure. NRL Imagery
Sideline brawl overshadows junior match
More drama in the junior league - with a disgraceful brawl involving spectators at a game in Sydney’s south.
After a fiery under 17s game between Coogee Wombats and South Eastern at the Marcellin Field recently, several players ran into the clubhouse and allegedly assaulted members of the crowd.
The NSW Rugby League confirmed the incident took place when contacted by nine.com.au and issued the following statement.
“NSWRL has charged three players from South Eastern Seagulls with high range code of conduct breaches following an incident in an Under 17s match against Coogee Randwick Wombats on Sunday 14 June.
“Two players have pleaded guilty but are disputing the grading, while another player has pleaded not guilty.
“The three players have been stood down pending a judiciary hearing at a date to be determined.”
Knights get signature of boom young gun
The Knights have signed a boom young forward from the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales who was being chased by several league and union franchises.
Elijah Galloway played for the Queensland Reds U18s in union and shone in the Laurie Daley Cup in league.
The 17-year-old plays both prop and second row in league and was lured to the Knights by recruitment guru Peter O’Sullivan.
He will start his Knights journey in the SG Ball Cup but officials expect him to move quickly through the grades.
