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The truth about Ben Hunt's replacement.
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Chris Garry
THE Broncos are monitoring Connor Watson and James Maloney as replacements for Ben Hunt.
They are among a small group of playmakers Brisbane is interested in as their future half.
It is unlikely either Watson or Maloney will be at the club in 2018 but they are prospects for 2019.
Brisbane's future premiership hopes rest on who wears their No.7 jersey.
A third party recently contacted Brisbane to gauge their interest in young Roosters utility Watson, an athletic playmaker stuck behind Mitchell Pearce and Luke Keary in Bondi.
Watson is contracted until the end of 2018 but only played his first game of the season against Manly on Friday, coming off the bench.
Watson’s manager Clinton Schifofske said his client was committed to seeing his contract out at the Roosters but acknowledged his pathway at the club is blocked.
Watson’s speed and creativity would allow Milford more space but the 20-year-old Rooster is unproven as a starting halfback although his bench efforts for Sydney have shown he’s an elite talent.
Brisbane want an organiser with a standout kicking game to complement Milford.
Watson would also come cheaper than most halves in the NRL.
Despite rival NRL clubs snarking behind closed doors about how the Broncos’ roster fits under the cap, Brisbane don’t have cap room to splash on a superstar half once Milford re-signs long term.
Milford will be upgraded at the Broncos although nowhere near the million dollars a season his management’s hoping for.
Maloney is also contracted until the end of 2018 but several NRL clubs believe he may become available earlier as he’s on a small contract considering his current status as a Kangaroo and premiership winner.
Maloney’s expected salary is a major prohibitor or to him joining Brisbane.
Ash Taylor and Kane Elgey are other playmakers Brisbane are interested in although Elgey’s form this year has several NRL club officials worried about his long-term prospects following an ACL tear.
Taylor has already given a verbal commitment to the Titans he will re-sign but the Titans want Elgey to find form before opening talks.
BRONCOS officials have given their club a two month deadline to sign a halfback for 2018 or they will fill the void internally.
The stop-gap measure would see one of Darius Boyd, Kodi Nikorima or Benji Marshall shift to five-eighth with Anthony Milford to wear the No.7.
Unless a contracted playmaker comes on the market soon, it’s unlikely the Broncos will sign a half to replace Ben Hunt until the 2019 season.
Bennett and Brisbane’s recruitment and retention committee are adamant – Hunt’s replacement must be a franchise player, a young half they can build the club around for the next five years plus.
They are prepared to wait for this player.
The rumour mill is in overdrive for Hunt’s replacement but no offers or negotiations have taken place between Brisbane and any playmaker.
THESE are the facts via several league sources, managers and club officials:
1. The Broncos consider Mitchell Moses among the best playmakers on the open market and there were discussions within the club about making a play for the Tigers’ star.
However, ultimately the club came to the conclusion Moses is not a franchise half and is not their long-term answer as Milford’s partner. There are also concerns from multiple NRL clubs about Moses’ attitude to training and off-field life. He won’t be coming to Brisbane.
2. Nathan Cleary is exactly the type of player Brisbane wants, a pass-first organizer with a sharp long and short kicking game. If Cleary was on the market they would go all-out to sign him. However, Cleary is locked in at Penrith until the end of 2019 and even if Brisbane could convince him to leave early, sacked Broncos coach Anthony Griffin would never let it happen.
3. There is no interest in Luke Brooks.
4. There is no interest in Kieran Foran. Although there have been some Sydney types trying to sell the Broncos on the Warriors star.
5. Moving Darius Boyd to five-eighth is a likely outcome for 2018. This would see Jordan Kahu move to fullback. Raiders’ fullback Jack Wighton has been rumoured for a move to Brisbane, it is news to the Broncos who aren’t interested in the Canberra custodian.
6. Wigan and England half George Williams is another player the Broncos have been linked to but while Brisbane made a couple of phone calls to gauge his asking price, they quickly decided he wasn’t their target either. Williams is expected to stay with Wigan and the common theory is, his management are using NRL clubs to bump up his price.