NRL 2024: Brisbane Broncos’ salary cap woes could shut down Sam Walker poaching raid

Brisbane would love to chase a marquee halfback like Sam Walker to replace the ageing Adam Reynolds, but there is just no way to make the numbers work. TRAVIS MEYN reveals why.

The cash-strapped Broncos can’t afford to poach a marquee halfback to replace skipper Adam Reynolds.

Broncos legend Darren Lockyer has revealed the club’s NRL salary cap is bulging following the $13 million extensions of Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam and Payne Haas.

The Broncos have gone on an expensive retention spree in recent years, locking up players like Pat Carrigan (2028), Jordan Riki (2027), Deine Mariner (2027), Brendan Piakura (2027), Haas (2026), Mam (2029) and Walsh (2029) on long-term deals.

But that has left Brisbane hamstrung when it comes to splashing cash on a big-name playmaker in the lead-up to Reynolds’ expected retirement at the end of next season.

The Broncos have ruled out making plays for the likes of Sam Walker (Roosters), Braydon Trindall (Sharks) and Toby Sexton (Bulldogs) at this stage due to salary constraints.

After extending contracts for Payne Haas, Ezra Mam and Reece Walsh, the Broncos have ruled out making a play for a marquee halfback. Picture: Getty Images

Lockyer, a Brisbane board member and part of the club’s recruitment and retention committee, said the Broncos had limited salary cap space.

“You’ve always got to have one eye on that spine, because they’re so important,” he told Channel 9’s QLDER program.

“We talk about consistency and if you’ve got continuity in your spine you’ll get consistency in your performances.

“Reece is done, Ezra (has been extended) and Adam’s got another year, so there becomes a bit of focus on who will be the seven after Adam and who will be the nine after Billy (Walters).

“Given the enormity of Reece’s deal and Ezra and Payne … you’re limited to how much money you’ve got out there for your seven and nine now.

“We’ll just have to see who’s out there and who we can develop.”

Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds struggled with injury this year. Picture: NRL photos

Brisbane’s spine came under the microscope this year following the club’s crash from 2023 grand finalists to finishing 12th.

Reynolds and Walsh battled numerous injuries and Mam struggled without a senior figure alongside him.

The club’s long-term strategy is to groom schoolboys star Coby Black to succeed Reynolds and for Blake Mozer to wear the No. 9 jersey.

But they are unproven at NRL level and it could be some time before Black and Mozer are genuine elite spine players.

Aspiring halfback Jock Madden is also in the squad and Lockyer said young players took pressure off the salary cap.

Reece Walsh has agreed to a $4.4 million extension with the Broncos. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

“A young seven coming through who’s not going to demand the big money straight away is probably where it’s heading,” he said.

“The number seven is so important and we’ve got to keep one eye on who’s earmarked to go there beyond Adam Reynolds and who’s there to go beyond Billy Walters.

“I think the Broncs are pretty keen to develop from within, so we’ll just see where that lands.”

While the Broncos have little room to move at the moment, they do have a host of players coming off-contract next year that could free up cap space.

Centres Selwyn Cobbo and Kotoni Staggs will demand big salaries and highly-paid forward Kobe Hetherington has been given permission to leave the club.

The Broncos have been linked with Sexton but Canterbury are in the process of securing the former Titans young gun to a contract extension.

Bulldogs star Toby Sexton was linked with the Broncos, but is set to extend his time with Canterbury. Picture: Getty Images

Sexton is off-contract next year and the Bulldogs are in negotiations on a minimum 12-month extension to keep the Australian Schoolboys playmaker for 2026 and possibly longer.

Sexton’s manager Tas Bartlett has held preliminary talks with Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould after the halfback steered Canterbury to this year’s finals.

“Toby has really found a home at the Dogs,” said Bartlett of PSM.

“I’ve had a couple of informal chats with ‘Gus’ (Gould) and he wants to keep Toby around.

“With the season out of the way, we’ll sit down properly and discuss an extension.”

Sexton was a former Australian Schoolboys halves partner to Walker, who is a free agent from November 1, but is unlikely to leave the Roosters given his enormous price tag.

The Roosters will offer Sam Walker around $1 million to stay, money the Broncos simply cannot match. Picture: NRL Photos

The Roosters are prepared to pay around $1 million a season to keep Walker, money the Broncos simply don’t have under the salary cap given their recent investments.

Former NSW Origin pivot Braith Anasta isn’t sure if the Broncos can afford to make a play for Walker as a possible replacement for Reynolds, who turns 35 next July.

“Does that put the Broncos under cap pressure spending so much on Reece?” said NRL 360 host Anasta.

“They still need a halfback when Reynolds leaves.

“With this signing of Reece, maybe it takes Sam Walker out of the equation.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Brisbane Broncos’ salary cap woes could shut down Sam Walker poaching raid