Big Pete
International Captain
- Mar 12, 2008
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[h=1]Brisbane Broncos win fight for hulk-like Melbourne Storm forward Mitch Garbutt[/h]
Mitch Garbutt of Easts in action.
THE Broncos have continued the NRL’s most aggressive recruitment drive by trumping seven rivals in a $700,000 poaching raid to sign hulking Storm prop Mitch Garbutt.
Garbutt, a 190cm, 115kg monster, is rated one of the code’s most talented emerging front-rowers.
His signing could be the final straw for Brisbane prop Martin Kennedy, who is being shopped around to NRL and Super League clubs to revive his spluttering career.
Mitch Garbutt gets tackled.
So highly is Garbutt regarded, the towering bookend also raised interest from Newcastle, Souths, the Dragons, Cronulla and joint ladder leaders Penrith and Manly.
The Broncos have secured the Knights junior until the end of 2017 in a move that adds bulk and mobility to their forward pack.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy is said to be disappointed at Brisbane’s strike.
Garbutt said quitting the Storm at season’s end was an agonising call but he is determined to establish himself as an NRL regular at Red Hill.
YOU TUBE: GARBUTT SCORES IN AUCKLAND NINES
“It was hard to tell Craig (Bellamy) but he was honest with me and supported my decision which is good,” he said.
“It's good to know you are in demand with clubs. The system at Melbourne is awesome but Bellyache (Bellamy) understood I had to do the best thing for my career.
“The Broncos are a really professional club and I'll do the hard work necessary to get into the side ... there are some great players at the club so I can learn a lot there.”
Mitch Garbutt moves hay bales during a Storm training camp.
The Broncos were tight-lipped but Garbutt has agreed to a three-year deal, with the club to formally announce his signing soon.
Garbutt has played just nine NRL games but at 25 is entering his prime as a front-rower.
He underlined his agility for a big man in February when he ran 50 metres swatting off Dragons to score the try of the NRL Nines tournament.
Garbutt's signing is evidence Brisbane have clout in the marketplace, after the club had already snared Canberra sensation Anthony Milford for next season.
Albert Kelly tackled by Tohu Harris and Mitch Garbutt.
Dually registered with Easts Tigers, Garbutt caught the eye of the Broncos eight weeks ago after outpointing Kennedy in a man of the match display in an Intrust Super Cup clash.
Garbutt’s acquisition is a fresh sign Kennedy is on the outer at Red Hill. The former Roosters prop has another two years to run on his Broncos deal but it is understood both parties would accept an amicable split.
Garbutt’s coach at Easts, Craig Ingebrigtsen, has no doubt the rising prop will flourish in the NRL.
“He has been best prop in the Queensland Cup for the past couple of years,” Ingebrigsten said.
“He has got really good feet at the line, he has a great offload, is tough and can bend the line.
“He's a team player and the popular type of bloke you want in your team.”
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- Peter Badel Exclusive
- News Limited
- July 16, 2014 12:00AM
Mitch Garbutt of Easts in action.
THE Broncos have continued the NRL’s most aggressive recruitment drive by trumping seven rivals in a $700,000 poaching raid to sign hulking Storm prop Mitch Garbutt.
Garbutt, a 190cm, 115kg monster, is rated one of the code’s most talented emerging front-rowers.
His signing could be the final straw for Brisbane prop Martin Kennedy, who is being shopped around to NRL and Super League clubs to revive his spluttering career.
Mitch Garbutt gets tackled.
So highly is Garbutt regarded, the towering bookend also raised interest from Newcastle, Souths, the Dragons, Cronulla and joint ladder leaders Penrith and Manly.
The Broncos have secured the Knights junior until the end of 2017 in a move that adds bulk and mobility to their forward pack.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy is said to be disappointed at Brisbane’s strike.
Garbutt said quitting the Storm at season’s end was an agonising call but he is determined to establish himself as an NRL regular at Red Hill.
YOU TUBE: GARBUTT SCORES IN AUCKLAND NINES
“It was hard to tell Craig (Bellamy) but he was honest with me and supported my decision which is good,” he said.
“It's good to know you are in demand with clubs. The system at Melbourne is awesome but Bellyache (Bellamy) understood I had to do the best thing for my career.
“The Broncos are a really professional club and I'll do the hard work necessary to get into the side ... there are some great players at the club so I can learn a lot there.”
Mitch Garbutt moves hay bales during a Storm training camp.
The Broncos were tight-lipped but Garbutt has agreed to a three-year deal, with the club to formally announce his signing soon.
Garbutt has played just nine NRL games but at 25 is entering his prime as a front-rower.
He underlined his agility for a big man in February when he ran 50 metres swatting off Dragons to score the try of the NRL Nines tournament.
Garbutt's signing is evidence Brisbane have clout in the marketplace, after the club had already snared Canberra sensation Anthony Milford for next season.
Albert Kelly tackled by Tohu Harris and Mitch Garbutt.
Dually registered with Easts Tigers, Garbutt caught the eye of the Broncos eight weeks ago after outpointing Kennedy in a man of the match display in an Intrust Super Cup clash.
Garbutt’s acquisition is a fresh sign Kennedy is on the outer at Red Hill. The former Roosters prop has another two years to run on his Broncos deal but it is understood both parties would accept an amicable split.
Garbutt’s coach at Easts, Craig Ingebrigtsen, has no doubt the rising prop will flourish in the NRL.
“He has been best prop in the Queensland Cup for the past couple of years,” Ingebrigsten said.
“He has got really good feet at the line, he has a great offload, is tough and can bend the line.
“He's a team player and the popular type of bloke you want in your team.”
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