Broncos Roster, Signings and Rumours Discussion 2025

[BroncsFan]

Just wanted to throw out the question...is Karapani EXTREMELY underrated?

Broncos have been winning so I've been taking in a lot of podcasts... it's such low quality effort when they keep asking about... how is Arthars unable to make this team.

Like do these guys actually watch broncos games.

Karapani and Mariner have been great the last month or so.. probably the whole second half of the year to be honest... Mariner is basically competing with Arthars, but he's absolutely destroying him in terms of meters.

Karp has been a meter eating monster... currently averaging 157m per game this year.

With Mariner also churning through the meters we've actually got a back 5 that is contributing meaningful meters in yardage... but there's so much strike with them as well.

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Payne's manager has come out and said he is not going anywhere.

Haas on track to extend at Broncos, targets title

Payne Haas's manager says he won't be leaving Brisbane for his next contract as the star prop targets taking down a Melbourne side he once almost joined.

aapnews.aap.com.au

Brisbane prop Payne Haas has his sights set on winning an elusive premiership as his manager declares his next contract will get done with the Broncos.


The 25-year-old superstar has been linked to the Perth Bears for the 2027 season but his manager Ahmad Merhi told AAP that "there is no way Payne is going to Perth".


Haas is off-contract at the end of next year but Merhi said the Broncos were the only club in the frame.

A grateful Payne Haas is determined to help the Broncos to a premiership. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)
"Brisbane is always going to be home for Payne," Merhi said.


"We are in dialogue with Brisbane all the time and have a good relationship with them. Payne is not going anywhere.


"We will get (an extension) done hopefully as soon as the season is over. Now he is just focused on the competition.


"He’s done a lot for Brisbane, including when they weren’t doing well. He’s won five Paul Morgan Medals (as player of the year) and his legacy plays a big role in what he does in the future."


Round 27 NRL explainer, Monday, September 1, 2025. (AAP VIDEO) (Aap/AAP VIDEO)
Haas once was on the cusp of signing with Melbourne but now they stand in the way of a top-four finish for Brisbane.


The two sides clash on Thursday night at Suncorp Stadium but if history had unfolded in a different trajectory Haas would be wearing a purple jersey.

I mean, if he is staying for Unders then this is ****ing swell, but what is "unders" for Payne?

If he isn't, how much are we forking out? and isn't the debate about whether he's worth it or not gonna be a doozy when it does come out. For mine, if the consensus is unders, it's showing massive faith in Madge and the club.

 

[BroncsFan]

Payne's manager has come out and said he is not going anywhere.

Haas on track to extend at Broncos, targets title

Payne Haas's manager says he won't be leaving Brisbane for his next contract as the star prop targets taking down a Melbourne side he once almost joined.

aapnews.aap.com.au

I mean, if he is staying for Unders then this is ****ing swell, but what is "unders" for Payne?

If he isn't, how much are we forking out? and isn't the debate about whether he's worth it or not gonna be a doozy when it does come out. For mine, if the consensus is unders, it's showing massive faith in Madge and the club.

He's not going to sign for unders... the big hope for us will be if we sign him around his current deal and then the cap goes way up after the new CBA in a couple years.

I don't believe the prop market has gone up that much, but the moron titans did sign Tino for like $1.2m or was it $1.3m.

Hopefully we're not increasing much on the $1.1m that he's currently on... but just lock him down for a short term contract and re-evaluate when the new CBA comes out... 2yr extension to end of 2028 is probs what his management will be after

 

[theshed]

I feel like I was on the Kara bandwagon early. Thought he looked like a goer in his first few games

 

[Big Del]

I feel like I was on the Kara bandwagon early. Thought he looked like a goer in his first few games

PRE-GAME Post in thread '[Round 7, 2024] Broncos vs Raiders'

Apr 15, 2024

I reckon Israel Leota will fill that role eventually.

Maybe this Karapani kid too ?
He played centre with Mariner outside him in the trials .

They bought him from Souths and had him in the extended squad last week . He must have some thing going for him .

• Big Del

• 

Post in thread '2024 Pacific Championship'

Oct 29, 2024

I thought Karapani was worth another year ?
As back up ,but not infront of Arthars ,Cobbo or Mariner

• Big Del

 

[1910]

Broncos have been winning so I've been taking in a lot of podcasts... it's such low quality effort when they keep asking about... how is Arthars unable to make this team.

Like do these guys actually watch broncos games.

Karapani and Mariner have been great the last month or so.. probably the whole second half of the year to be honest... Mariner is basically competing with Arthars, but he's absolutely destroying him in terms of meters.

Karp has been a meter eating monster... currently averaging 157m per game this year.

With Mariner also churning through the meters we've actually got a back 5 that is contributing meaningful meters in yardage... but there's so much strike with them as well.

Karapani has been a different player since round one, his running game and where to run improved straight away his try scoring options and put downs too. He was a much smarter player.

Not sure what percent is Madge and what is Burt but he stood out from round 1-8. I still had some moments watching regarding his hands, but his running game was a bright light. Even when he got dropped again in round 20 and played centre his improvement was there.

Mariner was the same as soon as he went back to the Bears improved too and they've both kept it going.

 

[FACTHUNT]

Karapani has been a different player since round one, his running game and where to run improved straight away his try scoring options and put downs too. He was a much smarter player.

Not sure what percent is Madge and what is Burt but he stood out from round 1-8. I still had some moments watching regarding his hands, but his running game was a bright light. Even when he got dropped again in round 20 and played centre his improvement was there.

Mariner was the same as soon as he went back to the Bears improved too and they've both kept it going.

When Mariner was playing for the Bears this year was he playing in the centres?

 

[1910]

When Mariner was playing for the Bears this year was he playing in the centres?

Yep left with Leo, it was joy to watch. 10 tries in five games they were together, and Mariner was try assisting like I have never seen him before.

Against Ipswich the Bears just went left, no depth no deception just get it left and watch them run 60m together to score.

 

[Sproj]

Speaking of which, if Mariner kills it, Gibs might not get a spot back with Ganderson coming and Verhoeven coming through.

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Speaking of which, if Mariner kills it, Gibs might not get a spot back with Ganderson coming and Verhoeven coming through.

That would be insane in my opinion. Let Grant Anderson start in reserves and earn his way in. He's a complete unknown up here.

 

[Brocko]

Shiba 2026 redemption arc in the backrow if he doesnt come back this season would be interesting.

For the record, I don't see this happening, just throwing it out there as we have Anderson coming, as well as Staggs, Karapani, Mariner, Arthars, Shiba fighting for 4 backline spots. Staggs is a certainty, so that leaves 3 spots.

If he could make a 2nd row transition work, it could help us strengthen a weakness.

All that said. He is a QLD rep centre, so not sure you would do that. But I don't want to see Karapani and Mariner not playing, and I can't see Anderson signing not to play.

Interesting times ahead next season.

 

[lynx000]

Karapani has been a different player since round one, his running game and where to run improved straight away his try scoring options and put downs too. He was a much smarter player.

Not sure what percent is Madge and what is Burt but he stood out from round 1-8. I still had some moments watching regarding his hands, but his running game was a bright light. Even when he got dropped again in round 20 and played centre his improvement was there.

Mariner was the same as soon as he went back to the Bears improved too and they've both kept it going.

Should we be bringing Burt on as an assistant coach?

 

[1910]

Should we be bringing Burt on as an assistant coach?

I have been thinking about it this year a lot. He just won his second minor premiership in three years, one Grand Final in there too and he's improving Broncos.

If Bears win this year his stocks will go up again.

I thought Hannay might nab him, Burt has been at the Bears now since 21 and was happy to be assistant first and then took the head role in 23- that tells me he's patient and happy to learn. Not many NRL players take Cup assistant roles.

I like to that the Bears came 8th last year and out week one and he's fixed that and first this year.

Then factor in the improvement to the Broncos when they've gone back which I don't think has happened under Head and Hunt.

 

[BroncsFan]

I have been thinking about it this year a lot. He just won his second minor premiership in three years, one Grand Final in there too and he's improving Broncos.

If Bears win this year his stocks will go up again.

I thought Hannay might nab him, Burt has been at the Bears now since 21 and was happy to be assistant first and then took the head role in 23- that tells me he's patient and happy to learn. Not many NRL players take Cup assistant roles.

I like to that the Bears came 8th last year and out week one and he's fixed that and first this year.

Then factor in the improvement to the Broncos when they've gone back which I don't think has happened under Head and Hunt.

How does the Bears defence stack up?

Looks like they're about 5th, but thats numbers rather than the eye test.

Norths have the best numbers and looked pretty good last year... after woeful numbers in 2023. Is that all Rohan or someone else?

Pride were insane last year, but nothing special this year and poor in 2023... so was that an annomily or did the 2024 coach get nabbed?

Is there a specific coach in qcup that is leading the way for defence at that level and potentially worthy of a spot with us?

Is qcup defensive systems even something that can be transferred to the top level or is it all about distribution of talent?

I dont think Teo had much of a resume in defence before he was given the job with us... I think you indicated that dolphins were one of the worst defensive teams in the comp before he joined us

 

[Big Del]

Speaking of which, if Mariner kills it, Gibs might not get a spot back with Ganderson coming and Verhoeven coming through.

Hang about !
A cpl of weeks ago , Anderson was an also ran who was sprinkled with Storm magic dust .
You couldn`t understand why the Broncos spent their money on him .
Now you reckon he`s going to put Shiba in Q Cup .

What inspired that change of opinion ?

 

[Sproj]

Hang about !
A cpl of weeks ago , Anderson was an also ran who was sprinkled with Storm magic dust .
You couldn`t understand why the Broncos spent their money on him .
Now you reckon he`s going to put Shiba in Q Cup .

What inspired that change of opinion ?

It isn't hard to understand my man. I don't rate him and I don't want him but we have him and I doubt he has signed to be depth. It isn't my view, I'm going with what I expect the club will do.

 

[1910]

How does the Bears defence stack up?

Looks like they're about 5th, but thats numbers rather than the eye test.

Norths have the best numbers and looked pretty good last year... after woeful numbers in 2023. Is that all Rohan or someone else?

Pride were insane last year, but nothing special this year and poor in 2023... so was that an annomily or did the 2024 coach get nabbed?

Is there a specific coach in qcup that is leading the way for defence at that level and potentially worthy of a spot with us?

Is qcup defensive systems even something that can be transferred to the top level or is it all about distribution of talent?

I dont think Teo had much of a resume in defence before he was given the job with us... I think you indicated that dolphins were one of the worst defensive teams in the comp before he joined us

Bears defence is led by Coster; Bears in general is built on defence and forwards. Their average loss this year is eight and the Bears and Norths are the only two teams to be under 10 Norths is 7.6. So, you can beat them but you're going to have to work hard.

Probably the 21 points a game could get down, ideally the premiers average 15-17 or so Norths is 18.

But they're the two best defensive teams and finish 1-2.

Cup too doesn't have the same team each week, so you probably have to allow for lack of combinations. You might not get someone in a vital defensive position until the day before and then have them for two games.

Pride coach Eric Smith got taken by Redcliffe this year and now taken by the Raiders. Smith also took most of the Pride team with him to Redcliffe and they didn't have Duffy for 20 games so Pride couldn't build on 2024. They've just sacked their 25 coach too.

I thought Teo won or lost too many games 40-34 which was my red flag 12 months ago and the Broncos have gone that way this year too.

Have a look at finals last year- lose 46-18 to Norths week one and lose the GF 34-20. 2024- lose to Falcons week one 42-36- look familiar in 2025?

 

[Big Del]

It isn't hard to understand my man. I don't rate him and I don't want him but we have him and I doubt he has signed to be depth. It isn't my view, I'm going with what I expect the club will do.

What a load .
They will pick Anderson just because he has a contract , even if he is not the best option ?
That`s some complex psychology there .