PRE-GAME [Round 20, 2026] - Broncos vs Panthers

[Big Pete]

Basically..

Brisbane tried to play Karapani in the QCup and the QRL intervened and said that since he had violated their disciplinary code Karapani couldn't participate so he ended up being scratched from the game.

There was some other bureaucratic issues as well. Had Karapani been named on Tuesday it may have passed muster but since they left it last minute it worked against them.

Chalk it up as a tick against the Broncos using the QCup as a development pathway. The QRL stance is fair enough, but my question would be whether the NRL or NSWRL share the same stance?

 

[Cult]

Broncos wanted to play him in QLD cup last week... QRL said he couldn't play.

We also want him to play this week and are seeking clarification on whether QRL will allow it.

QRL have basically said Karapani's offence is usually a 2 week suspension in their comp.

Also said he won't be sacked this time ... But he's effectively on 2 strikes, ****s up again and he's gone

Another tick for the Reserve Grade team camp. Why we let the Q Cup dictate anything will do me..

 

[Big Pete]

That's where it appears to be heading. The problem from the perspective of the Queensland clubs is that it will cost considerably more to run a reserve grade team than their NSW counter-parts.

It's basically the clubs vs. the NRL. Does the NRL want to foot the cost to provide adequate pathways or do they expect clubs to do it out of pocket just for other clubs to come in and profit off their hard work?

Because really, NRL contracts aren't paid by the clubs. The NRL gives them the spending money and tells them to spend it wisely and they go out and sign the 30 odd players and have spend at least $11 million of the $12 million cap.

If the NRL want the reserve grade to be successful and entice players they're probably looking at spending anywhere between $500 million to $1 billion. I don't see it happening and I don't think clubs are willing to invest millions only for other clubs to profit and get nothing in return.

The other thing for the Broncos to consider is that they'll need teams for U/17s and U/19s. If they drop out of the QCup, where are they going to have their players play? Will they just continue to cherry pick the best juniors from their affiliates?