Broncos Roster, Signings and Rumours Discussion 2026

[Big Pete]

Can somebody show me where Townsville is in Brisbane?

 

[Cult]

Can somebody show me where Townsville is in Brisbane?

No. I can show you where it is in Queensland though.

 

[Big Pete]

No. I can show you where it is in Queensland though.

So if we called them the Sunshine Coast Storm, that would absolve them?

Also I hope nobody narcs on Nio Verhoeven.

 

[Cult]

So if we called them the Sunshine Coast Storm, that would absolve them?

Also I hope nobody narcs on Nio Verhoeven.

If their input was even close to their output I'd be happy. How many Victorians are running around at other clubs this weekend? Surely I don't have to explain what a parasite is?

I think we've given enough to NZ for us to have a few of theirs, don't you? Did we expand to Victoria or are they still sapping resources from everywhere else because big bad AFL won't let them sign skinny dorks that wouldn't be able to play our sport anyway?

 

[Big Pete]

If their input was even close to their output I'd be happy. How many Victorians are running around at other clubs this weekend? Surely I don't have to explain what a parasite is?

I think we've given enough to NZ for us to have a few of theirs, don't you? Did we expand to Victoria or are they still sapping resources from everywhere else because big bad AFL won't let them sign skinny dorks that wouldn't be able to play our sport anyway?

The Broncos just signed Jonah Pezet from them. If the Broncos can claim Payne Haas as one of 'theirs' (as they should) then surely Melbourne can claim players like Pezet, Hynes, Drinkwater, Fa'asuamaleaui etc. etc.

Still, the point is that Shibasaki isn't a local junior. It doesn't matter what state he's from, he's not a Brisbane junior so the Broncos and us fans can't cry poor.

Infact how many local juniors are in the team this week?

Besides it's NRL recruitment. I could understand to some degree if we're talking juniors but it's a free for all at this level.

 

[Cult]

The Broncos just signed Jonah Pezet from them. If the Broncos can claim Payne Haas as one of 'theirs' (as they should) then surely Melbourne can claim players like Pezet, Hynes, Drinkwater, Fa'asuamaleaui etc. etc.

Still, the point is that Shibasaki isn't a local junior. It doesn't matter what state he's from, he's not a Brisbane junior so the Broncos and us fans can't cry poor.

Besides it's NRL recruitment. I could understand to some degree if we're talking juniors but it's a free for all at this level.

I don't care that they take players, I'd just like them to add something to our sport. New Zealand has 2 million less people and has to compete with rugby union as a religion and has given plenty to rugby league. Fiji has 6 million less and competes with rugby and still adds more than Victoria. If you're giving something to the sport you can sign players from anywhere. Unfortunately the state of Victoria is constantly taking without giving anything. They've had long enough to start having some sort of output for this sport.

 

[Big Pete]

I don't care that they take players, I'd just like them to add something to our sport. New Zealand has 2 million less people and has to compete with rugby union as a religion and has given plenty to rugby league. Fiji has 6 million less and competes with rugby and still adds more than Victoria. If you're giving something to the sport you can sign players from anywhere. Unfortunately the state of Victoria is constantly taking without giving anything. They've had long enough to start having some sort of output for this sport.

Okay call them the Sunshine Coast Storm and see impact that has on television rights, sponsorships, licensing etc.

Still, this was about Shibasaki. The Broncos came into a rich Rugby League heartland and have how many local juniors?

 

[broncos4life]

Okay call them the Sunshine Coast Storm and see impact that has on television rights, sponsorships, licensing etc.

Still, this was about Shibasaki. The Broncos came into a rich Rugby League heartland and have how many local juniors?

I don’t really see how many of a current squad are from that state has anything to do with it, shouldn’t the question be about how many are in the league after coming through the pathways? How many Victorians are playing in the league anywhere thanks to the work of The Storm?

 

[tommy]

The original concept of bringing Melbourne in was to try and grow the game at a grassroots level in Victoria.

 

[Big Pete]

I don’t really see how many of a current squad are from that state has anything to do with it, shouldn’t the question be about how many are in the league after coming through the pathways? How many Victorians are playing in the league anywhere thanks to the work of The Storm?

It's a whole other kettle of fish.

This all started over Shibasaki and even if we put aside the hypocrisy there's nothing wrong with a team going outside of their nursary to sign a rival player. I mean the Broncos just signed Jonah Pezet from them, nobody was or even should bat an eyelid.

Now we could shine a light on the Storm's inability to develop one of their own. That could explain why they're struggling at the moment as players like Mitch Jennings, Coby Williamson, Ammaron Gudgeon etc. haven't made that transition to NRL. That's fine and that highlights the difference between them and the competition heavyweights Penrith. However I don't understand why they ought to just roll over and die.

Going back to the other kettle sure that's another way you could measure their output. No doubt they could do better and to be fair they have been better. By the same token, Rome wasn't built in a day and they're virtually starting from scratch whereas teams like the Broncos, Dolphins, Titans, Cowboys etc. have a rich nursery.

It's not all on Melbourne either. It's on the NRL and VRL to develop these players and to draw in some of their athletes to the code. That's difficult to do down there where they're obsessed with Aussie Rules and there's far more opportunities to pursue that code.

I've alluded to it multiple times but the value is the television rights and getting a foothold in the Victorian market. The NRL's bread and butter is the TV rights, so being able to draw those Victorian numbers is far more valuable than expanding the player pool in south east Queensland.

Apologies for the essay. I know when it all comes down to it you just wanted to rip into Melbourne and hey more power to you all.

 

[FACTHUNT]

they ought to just roll over and die.

I know when it all comes down to it you just wanted to rip into Melbourne and hey more power to you all.

 

[Fozz]

Shiba is the epitome of a Storm pickup. Not a superstar but a hard worker who would probably play above their expected talents in the Storm system.

the connection with Walsh would be hard to replicate though

 

[Lockysillegitimatechild]

Shiba is the epitome of a Storm pickup. Not a superstar but a hard worker who would probably play above their expected talents in the Storm system.

the connection with Walsh would be hard to replicate though

This bs that every player gets better in the storm system is getting older and older. A few middle forwards punched above their weight over the years becuase CAMERON SMITH was feeding them the ball. I could name just as many "bargain" players that have failed their then got better.

Kasiano, George rose, tariq sims, Tom leayroyd lahrs, Robbie rochow, ben Roberts, hymel hunt. Theres dozens more. All were given the "they'll become amazing once they going the storm" treatment when they signed. None did. They all slipped out the back door, with the old "its not me, its you" attached to them.

I would argue, xavier coates. He would be EXACTLY the same if he stayed at the broncos lol. In fact, I'd bet my life on it, yet becuase he is better then he was after 50 games in a spoon winning team at the time, it was the "bellamy magic" that got him there.

 

[Fozz]

This bs that every player gets better in the storm system is getting older and older. A few middle forwards punched above their weight over the years becuase CAMERON SMITH was feeding them the ball. I could name just as many "bargain" players that have failed their then got better.

Kasiano, George rose, tariq sims, Tom leayroyd lahrs, Robbie rochow, ben Roberts, hymel hunt. Theres dozens more. All were given the "they'll become amazing once they going the storm" treatment when they signed. None did. They all slipped out the back door, with the old "its not me, its you" attached to them.

I would argue, xavier coates. He would be EXACTLY the same if he stayed at the broncos lol. In fact, I'd bet my life on it, yet becuase he is better then he was after 50 games in a spoon winning team at the time, it was the "bellamy magic" that got him there.

I don't think they've got a magic process but they do get the best out of a lot of average players. They don't turn plodders into superstars but they can get the best out of an average player who puts in. And I'm pretty sure Shibs showed last year, he can put in the effort.

 

[Rally Towel]

Shiba is the epitome of a Storm pickup. Not a superstar but a hard worker who would probably play above their expected talents in the Storm system.

the connection with Walsh would be hard to replicate though

Absolutely agree.

Storm system is built on players knowing their roles and hitting fundamental KPIs.

Shiba would play that to a tee. What he lacks in flair he compensates for in fundamentals.

Love the guy and his part in 2025, but he's certainly one we don't want to overpay for. He's exactly the kind of player the Riff have let go through their run to retain the key components.

 

[broncos4life]

I don't think they've got a magic process but they do get the best out of a lot of average players. They don't turn plodders into superstars but they can get the best out of an average player who puts in. And I'm pretty sure Shibs showed last year, he can put in the effort.

And this is what annoys me, has Madge got any of the credit for getting the best out of Shiba? A guy that before last year was a running joke? No. If he had gone to The Storm and had the exact same year everyone would be swinging off Bellamy’s **** about it.

 

[Sproj]

And this is what annoys me, has Madge got any of the credit for getting the best out of Shiba? A guy that before last year was a running joke? No. If he had gone to The Storm and had the exact same year everyone would be swinging off Bellamy’s **** about it.

Eh who cares, let them hate. You know we're back when the media hates us.

 

[Fitzy]

Eh who cares, let them hate. You know we're back when the media hates us.

Exactly. **** them. You don't reckon Gem knows who got the best out of him? As much as he is a bit older and he is needing to make the most out of his late bloom career whilst he can, I do think he will be acutely aware of the fact that Broncos and Madge brought the best out of him.

In saying that I can't see the Broncos offering him anything overly competitive or long with Verhoeven coming through and Mariner wanting to move to the centres.