NEWS X marks spot as Broncos keep Hetherington

Newly-resigned Brisbane prop Xavier Willison has set his sights on a starting position as the makeup of the pack under new coach Michael Maguire takes an intriguing turn.

The 22-year-old, known affectionately as X, has signed until the end of 2027 while workhorse forward Kobe Hetherington will stay at the NRL club after Maguire told him that he would not be released for 2025.

Hetherington, who can play on an edge or in the middle, had been given permission before Maguire arrived to speak to other clubs about a possible move next season before his contract had expired.

Now that he is staying it has made the race for starting forward positions, along with bench slots, more of a contest.

The Broncos started Corey Jensen and Payne Haas in the front-row in 2024 with Australia forward Pat Carrigan at lock. The back-row was the domain of Jordan Riki and Brendan Piakura, when fit.

The club's 12th place this year has turned up the heat on all players to be at their best and earn their positions.

Willison, who mostly came off the bench in his 19 games in 2024, is aiming high.

"I want to go further. The goal is to push for that starting spot next year," he said.

"I have just got to have a good pre-season and work really hard."

Hetherington, 25, played a career-high 23 games in 2024 but only started in three of them.

His manager Chris Haddad told AAP that the request for a release boiled down to his desire "for more minutes and a starting position".

Wests Tigers and St George Illawarra were among two clubs keen on the rugged forward but they were not able to offer a deal as no release was forthcoming.

Maguire has been up front and Haddad said Hetherington would rip in to training under the new mentor.

"I have known Madge (Maguire) for 14 years and he is straight to the point with everything and a great coach," Haddad said.

"Madge said he just wanted a chance to work with Kobe for the next year and that he was not releasing him. The Broncos also do not have a suitable replacement. Kobe is happy to stay."

While lock is his best position, Hetherington can play in the second-row and he will keep the heat on Riki and Piakura.

The Broncos have rising prop Ben Te Kura, 20, back at training after injury ruined the back end of his rookie season.

Veteran Martin Taupau also re-signed for 2025 and will also be in the mix for a spot in the 17.

Canberra Times

 

[I bleed Maroon]

If he has a better off season than Jensen, he deserves the promotion.

 

[winslow_wong]

Hopefully piakura hasn’t got first dibs on the back row position.

 

[Mustafur]

Hopefully piakura hasn’t got first dibs on the back row position.

Kobe will need to work alot at it if you want him in the discussion for it considering he was horrific there last year.

Piakura badly needs work in Defence to justify his spot even still, he has it in attack, but going by what we saw last year a solid backrower is massive these days, it basically was the breakout position of the year.

 

[theshed]

I’m not sure how much faith I have in Hetho to make a solid second rower but other than Mam making Madge’s life hard in the halves, second row is the only real issue in the squad.

Ideally you would have someone who could reduce Piakuras minutes then come back on in the middle at some point. Hopefully that can be Kobe.

I also wonder if Mariner and Cobbo are both better wingers than centres at this stage. Arthars was great at centre at the warriors. I wonder if he would be better defensively on the side than Cobbo. Piakura > Mam > Cobbo is way to inexperienced defensively on that side.

1. Walsh
2. Cobbo
3. Arthurs
4. Staggs
5. Mariner
6. Madden/Mam/Hunt
7. Reynolds
8. Jenson
9. Smoothy
10. Haas
11. Hetherington
12. Riki
13. Carrigan

14. Mozer
15. Willison
16. Piakura
17. Taupau / Baker

 

[DrGee]

I’m not sure how much faith I have in Hetho to make a solid second rower but other than Mam making Madge’s life hard in the halves, second row is the only real issue in the squad.

Ideally you would have someone who could reduce Piakuras minutes then come back on in the middle at some point. Hopefully that can be Kobe.

I also wonder if Mariner and Cobbo are both better wingers than centres at this stage. Arthars was great at centre at the warriors. I wonder if he would be better defensively on the side than Cobbo. Piakura > Mam > Cobbo is way to inexperienced defensively on that side.

1. Walsh
2. Cobbo
3. Arthurs
4. Staggs
5. Mariner
6. Madden/Mam/Hunt
7. Reynolds
8. Jenson
9. Smoothy
10. Haas
11. Hetherington
12. Riki
13. Carrigan

14. Mozer
15. Willison
16. Piakura
17. Taupau / Baker

Smoothy at starting 9

 

[Mr Fourex]

Hopefully piakura hasn’t got first dibs on the back row position.

Based on this season....he certainly shouldn't have.

 

[McHunt]

second row is the only real issue in the squad.

Other than a wealth of props and Carrigan at lock, when he's available, we have issues right across the squad, especially in the halves and bench. We are too reliant on Walsh, whose errors have spiraled out of control. And Cobbo, **** knows what's going on in that man's head.

 

[theshed]

Other than a wealth of props and Carrigan at lock, when he's available, we have issues right across the squad, especially in the halves and bench. We are too reliant on Walsh, whose errors have spiraled out of control. And Cobbo, **** knows what's going on in that man's head.

A good coach could get the most out of the majority of our starting 17. Very competitive team despite last years efforts.

The make up of our depth options are the biggest issue.

 

[McHunt]

The make up of our depth options are the biggest issue.

Considering our depth needs to cover Mam, Reynolds and Mozer that's a considerable issue.

 

[Mr Fourex]

A good coach could get the most out of the majority of our starting 17. Very competitive team despite last years efforts.

Like in 2023...when we made the GF?

The make up of our depth options are the biggest issue.

Really let us down this season. None stepped up and those on the fringe, went backwards.

 

[theshed]

Like in 2023...when we made the GF?



Really let us down this season. None stepped up and those on the fringe, went backwards.

Yes, like 2023. I wasn’t taking a shot at Kev, I’m saying they performed at that level once, a good coach can get them back there

 

[Mr Fourex]

Yes, like 2023. I wasn’t taking a shot at Kev......

 

[mitch222]

Like in 2023...when we made the GF?



Really let us down this season. None stepped up and those on the fringe, went backwards.

The backrow basically went to sleep once we released Capewell.
We still need another backrower for next year to keep Riki & Piakura honest. Id say **** off to Hunt and try and lure a decent second rower to help us.

 

[Dexter]

Story in todays CM confirming Madges plans to give Kobe more minutes in the backrow.
Keen to see how he goes.

 

[BroncsFan]

Story in todays CM confirming Madges plans to give Kobe more minutes in the backrow.
Keen to see how he goes.

I hope he kills it there.

He's a good defender and a good line runner... as long as his lateral movement holds up he should be right.

One thing that might have to change is the catch and wrap tackling he went to this year... need him to be an enforcer with his defence on the edge.

 

[Dexter]

Left side with Piaks would make it a dangerous place for runners. They can both hit

 

[Super Freak]