Broncos Roster, Signings and Rumours Discussion 2026

[Wolfie]

Is he getting the pay from his entire contract up front?
Because he would be betting his entire future financial earnings on r360 at least 3 years.
It doesn't an he's up shit creek, he cant go back to the NRL, going to France or Japan with his entire Family isn't an option, what about an Australian RU team, will the Reds offer him 1.5m a year ?

It's not as easy for a RL Forward to just jump into a RU Team an be as good. Backs, yes, but he would have to master Scrums, Rucks, Malls, Lineouts and all the other little things that make a player worth the $.

As others have said this isn't the Saudi sportswashing machine that can throw billions without blinking, this is 3 Pom's and some rumored UAE/Dubai investors no ones even been able to confirm exist.

Put that against a League that has existed for 117 years and is still going strong and one of Australians most well know and profitable Football Club's.

New Broadcast deal coming end of 2027, it's would not be surprising if Payne was on 1.5m when that's done, add in third party deals which our Club can do better than pretty much anyone else, add in making him the face of a 20 year Premiership drought wining team, then there's life after Football.
Coaching, Media, Club Role all there for him if he wants it.

yeah it does seem like a no brainer to me as well.

I dont think he will get it all upfront, but if he doesnt do his due diligence on the people running the show if it goes wrong its on him. Any doubts on his part he should reject the offer. I dont see the downside really if he is confident its going to work.

 

[Wolfie]

Yeah but that's per year, you have to factor in how long R360 will pay him $3m and how long we will pay him $1.3m.
It's far from a no-brainer.

If he is confident its going to be a success and he signs a 3 year deal i think it will be a no brainer. In real terms, a 3 year deal with us pays him around 2.2 million after tax, if he moves, he is looking at almost 5 million after tax. Massive difference in earnings and if he is successful he has the potential to earn even more as Union is a much bigger sport with a bigger reach than league.

I get people will use all sorts of justification as to why he shouldnt go, after all, he's a quality player we dont want to lose, but its a lot of money to just turn down. That money can do a lot for his family, especially his siblings. That kind of money could give them a better chance of steering clear of the scummy drama thats followed them around for years.

 

[Unorthed0x]

woops, posted in wrong thread.

 

[Morepudding]

On a positive note, fletcher baker signed with the dogs so he is officially gone.

 

[FACTHUNT]

On a positive note, fletcher baker signed with the dogs so he is officially gone.

Marry me.

 

[Sproj]

Bulldogs have a small and soft middle that regularly get dominated, so they add a tall soft middle to...well I guess he matches their MO mostly.

 

[dejan]

Reading some of the Doggies fans IG comments, saying Fletcher Baker will play better under a better system （Ciroball） is the most laughable thing.

How much Kool-aid is at Belmore? The sugar is rotting their brains. Galvin hype and now Baker.

 

[kman]

Reading some of the Doggies fans IG comments, saying Fletcher Baker will play better under a better system （Ciroball） is the most laughable thing.

How much Kool-aid is at Belmore? The sugar is rotting their brains. Galvin hype and now Baker.

He was coached by the current best coach in the game and never saw the field. What does that honestly tell them especially after we got Talty.

 

[Professor47]

On a positive note, fletcher baker signed with the dogs so he is officially gone.

as soon as I saw it on my feed, I cheered!
WOO HOO!
At first the social media post had him in a Broncos jersey so my heart skipped a beat! LOL

 

[Professor47]

Reading some of the Doggies fans IG comments, saying Fletcher Baker will play better under a better system （Ciroball） is the most laughable thing.

How much Kool-aid is at Belmore? The sugar is rotting their brains. Galvin hype and now Baker.

Massive Kool-aid

I DO think he will play somewhat better, especially in the beginning because he will have a chip on his shoulder... but honestly... his 2024 Broncos was so bad, that he can ONLY play better IMO. LOL

 

[Foordy]

Reading some of the Doggies fans IG comments, saying Fletcher Baker will play better under a better system （Ciroball） is the most laughable thing.

How much Kool-aid is at Belmore? The sugar is rotting their brains. Galvin hype and now Baker.

Has Baker signed with the Bulldogs.

I was out to breakfast with my brother on Saturday and saw Baker at the same cafe. Decked out in Broncos gear, lol

 

[1910]

I actually hope the NRL don't back down from the 10 year ban threat. If Haas goes then that should be all she wrote for his NRL career. If they're not harsh on this then the comp is about to start bleeding talent.

SBW wasn't allowed back for five years, I don't really see why the same can't apply here.

 

[1910]

Not if the Bronco's release him from the rest of his contract. If the Storm can do it with Nelson, why can't we?

Storm didn't care what Nelson did, like Dragons/Hunt they wanted him gone.

Could you imagine releasing Payne to sign with 360 and he signs with the Titans.

 

[1910]

Will the ARL / NRL bring in cricket Australia type contracts for their top players to stop players from leaving.
You can bet Vlando will have some contingencies in case this R360 gets traction.

Those contracts are tied to revenue, 27.5% Plus another 2.5% performance pool- they get 30% of Cricket Australia every year- NRL are not coming to that party!

Clubs would love it, could you imagine the top 30 named every year and off your cap.

Interesting just today in the ACA annual report
34 per cent of players agreed with the statement that “If I had the opportunity to, I would consider foregoing an Australian domestic contract (CA, State and/or W/BBL) to take up a contract to play in other tournaments globally.”

 

[BroncsFan]

Reading some of the Doggies fans IG comments, saying Fletcher Baker will play better under a better system （Ciroball） is the most laughable thing.

How much Kool-aid is at Belmore? The sugar is rotting their brains. Galvin hype and now Baker.

Madge just won a comp and Baker didnt even play in the preseason for him

 

[BroncsFan]

SBW wasn't allowed back for five years, I don't really see why the same can't apply here.

Was that the length of the contract he walked out on??

 

[Super Freak]

Was that the length of the contract he walked out on??

5 years. He had just re-signed for 5 years.

 

[BroncsFan]

Those contracts are tied to revenue, 27.5% Plus another 2.5% performance pool- they get 30% of Cricket Australia every year- NRL are not coming to that party!

Clubs would love it, could you imagine the top 30 named every year and off your cap.

Interesting just today in the ACA annual report
34 per cent of players agreed with the statement that “If I had the opportunity to, I would consider foregoing an Australian domestic contract (CA, State and/or W/BBL) to take up a contract to play in other tournaments globally.”

Isn't the salary cap already paid for by the club grants they get from the NRL?

If the top 30 was under a centralised contract system by the NRL that money would be taken from the club's grants