Broncos Roster, Signings and Rumours Discussion 2026

[Skyblues87]

Badel reporting that our development list players for 2026 are:

Phillip Coates
Va’a Semu
Cameron Bukowski
Jared Horne
Ben Talty

We have one spot on the development list remaining

Shibba Jnr ?

 

[BroncsFan]

Shibba Jnr ?

There were talks about him being T&T but haven't seen anything... he'll need to sign somewhere soon, because preseason has already started

 

[McHunt]

Be surprised if the rumours about Coby leaving immediately don't pan out.

 

[Xzei]

Be surprised if the rumours about Coby leaving immediately don't pan out.

Not sure how much value we get from it outside a spot

 

[BroncsFan]

Not sure how much value we get from it outside a spot

The spot is pretty important if they weren't intending to play him much this year.

Basically handicapping our depth by paying a guy we dont intend to use.

Last year we used 27 players... which is actually pretty low across the league.

Going into a season knowing you only have 29 usable players in the top 30 starts to mean we use guys that are less than ideal

 

[Xzei]

The spot is pretty important if they weren't intending to play him much this year.

Basically handicapping our depth by paying a guy we dont intend to use.

Last year we used 27 players... which is actually pretty low across the league.

Going into a season knowing you only have 29 usable players in the top 30 starts to mean we use guys that are less than ideal

im sure if it came to it though injuries though we would use him so i dont think it would be 29/30 players we would look to use if the need arose,hope there is a plan if they do indeed let him go i just dont see what you might replace him with for the money he would have been on.

 

[McHunt]

im sure if it came to it though injuries though we would use him so i dont think it would be 29/30 players we would look to use if the need arose,hope there is a plan if they do indeed let him go i just dont see what you might replace him with for the money he would have been on.

His salary goes into the coffers for someone who might get a game.

 

[BroncsFan]

im sure if it came to it though injuries though we would use him so i dont think it would be 29/30 players we would look to use if the need arose,hope there is a plan if they do indeed let him go i just dont see what you might replace him with for the money he would have been on.

We didnt know Talty was on the radar, but they found him in the end.

There's also guys that get mid year releases or even guys that sign with Perth might need a loan spot for 12 months.

 

[Berry Barrigan]

Be surprised if the rumours about Coby leaving immediately don't pan out.

Would be great if he did. How many games would he be likely to play for us this year, even if he is tearing QCup apart? Let's use his $ to give a Top 30 contract to a Bukowski or Coates or someone

 

[Foordy]

Shibasaki and Arthars are now top targets for the Bears according to Badel

 

[Lockysillegitimatechild]

For anyone watching qld cup this year, was coby black better or worse than Josh rogers? Becuase id imagine that's where he'd sit in the depth chart given we aren't developing him now. Reynolds, mam, hunt, duffy, Walters (once fit), black, rogers...

 

[McHunt]

For anyone watching qld cup this year, was coby black better or worse than Josh rogers? Becuase id imagine that's where he'd sit in the depth chart given we aren't developing him now. Reynolds, mam, hunt, duffy, Walters (once fit), black, rogers...

I think Billy might struggle to regain his fitness next season. Maybe by the finals.
I can see Duffy getting some games.

 

[pennywisealfie]

Would be happy to release him to a club we are friendly with. But with all this Don Furner pettyness, Ricky Stuart tantrums and game time changing debacles...**** them.

 

[Xarr]

Should I be worried that Haas liked this post

 

[Xzei]

Someone should show him the dubai slums,wealth doesnt exactly trickle down.

 

[Big Pete]

For anyone watching qld cup this year, was coby black better or worse than Josh rogers? Becuase id imagine that's where he'd sit in the depth chart given we aren't developing him now. Reynolds, mam, hunt, duffy, Walters (once fit), black, rogers...

Rogers is one of the best players in QCup and has consistently remained one of the top players since 2022. He plays with all the confidence you'd expect and he has a clearly defined role in that Bears system.

On the other hand, Black played the deputy role to Milford and largely just focused on his kicking game. Milford ran the ship, so Black would often struggle to make an impact.

Granted, it's a contrast in styles. Black at this stage is more of a game manager who sticks to his role. Whereas Rogers likes to play on the front foot and likes to keep the opposition guessing. We're also comparing a 29 year old veteran vs. a 19 year old rookie, for his age, Black is trending fine.

Madge is very deliberate with his reserves. The players have to earn their stripes so it's worth noting that Black was never named in an extended squad. Meanwhile Rogers was named twice - so it shows you where the players are in the pecking order.

With that said, I can't see either player remaining at Red Hill beyond this year. Black is already gone, meanwhile I'd be shocked if the Bears didn't throw Rogers a deal. Perth junior, plays for the Bears in QCup, a handy depth option which is always important for an expansion team.

 

[Lockysillegitimatechild]

Rogers is one of the best players in QCup and has consistently remained one of the top players since 2022. He plays with all the confidence you'd expect and he has a clearly defined role in that Bears system.

On the other hand, Black played the deputy role to Milford and largely just focused on his kicking game. Milford ran the ship, so Black would often struggle to make an impact.

Granted, it's a contrast in styles. Black at this stage is more of a game manager who sticks to his role. Whereas Rogers likes to play on the front foot and likes to keep the opposition guessing. We're also comparing a 29 year old veteran vs. a 19 year old rookie, for his age, Black is trending fine.

Madge is very deliberate with his reserves. The players have to earn their stripes so it's worth noting that Black was never named in an extended squad. Meanwhile Rogers was named twice - so it shows you where the players are in the pecking order.

With that said, I can't see either player remaining at Red Hill beyond this year. Black is already gone, meanwhile I'd be shocked if the Bears didn't throw Rogers a deal. Perth junior, plays for the Bears in QCup, a handy depth option which is always important for an expansion team.

Awesome info big Pete. Much appreciated. The reason this is important though is purely this bit...

We're also comparing a 29 year old veteran vs. a 19 year old rookie, for his age, Black is trending fine.

Now that we aren't (or at least shouldn't be) developing him, age should be taken completly out of the picture with him. If he isnt any better than rogers NOW, or in 2026, then let him go.

They seem like different types of halves but we have hunt and duffy as halves backups with proven nrl level kicking games.

I do hope we sign duffy for 1 more year before letting black go though. Just so we know we aren't putting more time into him for nothing as well.

 

[kman]

Shibasaki and Arthars are now top targets for the Bears according to Badel

I can see Arthars leaving and maybe a early release to another club, hes too good of a played to be left in Qcup. Shibasaki would be insane if he left the club that made him under Madge.