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Darren Lockyer hits back as Broncos launch roster investigation

Brisbane hierarchy will put their entire list management under the microscope with Darren Lockyer revealing the Broncos must make better judgments on long-term contracts.

Anthony Milford, Darren Lockyer and Jack Bird.
Anthony Milford, Darren Lockyer and Jack Bird.

The Broncos will launch an investigation into their richest contracts and roster structure as Darren Lockyer hit back at claims from Brisbane legends that the board has lost control of the club.

The Sunday Mail can reveal Brisbane hierarchy will put their entire list management under the microscope with Lockyer revealing the Broncos must make better judgments when signing players to lucrative long-term contracts.

Lockyer also returned serve at former teammates Steve Renouf and Gorden Tallis, vowing to use their savage critiques as “motivation” to break Brisbane’s frustrating 14-year premiership drought.

Former Broncos premiership-winning five-eighth Ben Ikin unloaded on the club during the week, describing their roster management in recent seasons as “disgusting”.

NRL Immortal Andrew Johns also slammed Brisbane’s development, telling Channel 9: “Brisbane have a missed a generation of players. They missed Johnathan Thurston, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk. I know those players wanted to play for the Broncos.

“The questions have to be asked.”

An analysis of every roster of the NRL’s 16 teams shows no club’s list contains as many contracts with player options as the Broncos.

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Darren Lockyer says the Broncos must make better judgments when signing players to lucrative long-term contracts. Picture: Annette Dew
Darren Lockyer says the Broncos must make better judgments when signing players to lucrative long-term contracts. Picture: Annette Dew

The Broncos have come under fire for signing a posse of players to mega four-year deals, including the $1 million-a-season contract handed to Anthony Milford, who became the first seven-figure earner in Brisbane’s history.

Like Milford, Jack Bird, Darius Boyd, Matt Gillett and Andrew McCullough were also signed to four-year contracts.

That quartet have collectively received more than $10 million in contracts but have struggled to deliver bang for their buck with Bird constantly injured, Boyd sacked as captain, Gillett retiring halfway through his deal and McCullough offloaded to Newcastle.

Lockyer is aware of the forensic criticism of Brisbane’s contractual management. A member of the board, as well as the club’s recruitment-and-retention committee, Lockyer says there must be more scrutiny not only of future contracts, but the character of players the Broncos sign.

“We need stability off the field and stability with the roster,” Lockyer told The Sunday Mail.

“Any large or long-term deals moving forward need to be pressure-tested and done with plenty of consideration.

“Attitude needs to be a huge part of that consideration.

“I’m referring to our roster. There’s a few things we can learn from.

“The attitude of players needs to be at the forefront of the decisions made, particularly with those larger, long-term deals.”

Anthony Milford became the first seven-figure earner in Brisbane’s history. Picture: Dan Peled/AAP
Anthony Milford became the first seven-figure earner in Brisbane’s history. Picture: Dan Peled/AAP

Brisbane’s penchant for inserting player-options into contracts has created headaches for their salary-cap.

No other NRL club allows players to take up options, in their favour, like the Broncos. Such is the problem, Brisbane are now scrambling to find the salary-cap space to afford gun back-rower David Fifita, who has been offered $1 million by the Titans.

While allowing a player option can help a club get a deal over the line for an NRL star they desire, the downside is it gives that player the power to dictate terms even if they aren’t performing.

A compelling example at the Broncos is Bird. The luckless utility is on $975,000 this season and has played just 17 games in three seasons. After recently undergoing a second knee reconstruction, Bird had a 12-month option in his favour for 2021. Not surprisingly, he activated the option, as any injured player would, to safeguard his future.

Jack Bird has played just 17 games in three seasons for the Broncos. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Jack Bird has played just 17 games in three seasons for the Broncos. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Another example involves Jordan Kahu. He was released to the Cowboys last season, only to return to the Broncos this year because he had another 12 months on his Brisbane deal. Kahu hasn’t played for the Broncos since September 9, 2018, yet continues to chew up money under Brisbane’s salary-cap.

McCullough, now at Newcastle, still has an option in his favour to return to the Broncos next season. He was on around $600,000 on Brisbane’s salary-cap this year before his move to Newcastle. If the Knights or any other NRL club opts not to sign him next year, McCullough has the contractual power to play for the Broncos in 2021.

Other Broncos who have had contractual options in their favour include Matt Lodge, Boyd, Milford and Gillett, who subsequently received a big payout after a shoulder injury forced his shock retirement in October 2019, at least two years earlier than expected.

Hooker Jake Turpin currently has a two-year option in his favour for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

“There have been contracts that have been done in the past that, in hindsight, we can learn from because it has put our salary cap under pressure,” Lockyer said.

Andrew McCullough. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images
Andrew McCullough. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

The imbalance in Brisbane’s roster has left a gaping hole in the critical 26 to 30-year-old age group, when players transition from rookies to leaders. Kahu, at 29, is the only player in that age bracket. The Broncos have 10 players aged 22 or under.

Lockyer has been engaged to provide formal leadership training with weekly sessions. He defended claims the club’s culture is broken.

“The culture has changed and not winning makes it look like it is eroding,” he said. “A different coach and different players will ultimately mean a different culture that is taking time to evolve. I’m confident the new regime will be successful. Bumps were to be expected early but we have no excuses not to be improving on what we did in 2019

“Time on the field will help our young guys develop. Young players learn from their more experienced teammates so their message and actions are also vital to the younger group’s development.”

Jordan Kahu. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Jordan Kahu. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Renouf launched a stunning attack on his former teammate Lockyer on Thursday, saying he is a “big part of the problem”. Lockyer does not take offence at swipes from Renouf and former Broncos skipper Gorden Tallis.

“I’m comfortable with criticism, I use it as motivation,” he said.

“Look, it comes with the territory. If I believe in the plan, I stick to the plan. Staying calm under pressure is important in these situations.

“Everyone is entitled to their opinion and guys like Gorden Tallis and Steve Renouf … like many they are frustrated. They care about the club and that’s a good thing.

“I care 100 per cent, the best way to respond to criticism is with actions. We are trying to turn things around but if everyone starts trying too hard you can make it worse.

“We’re aware of our governance duties on the board and I would rather respond with actions.

“Internally, we are being very proactive to try and get some success as quick as we can.”

CONTRACT KILLERS: Six crucial deals that have put pressure on the Broncos’ salary cap

ANTHONY MILFORD: Signed a four-year deal worth $4 million in 2017. It included a 12-month option in his favour. Has not lived up to his club record $1 million-a-season salary.

JACK BIRD: Signed a four-year deal worth $3.5 million in 2017. It included a 12-month option in his favour. Has played just 17 games in three seasons due to injury.

MATT GILLETT: Signed an upgraded four-year deal in 2018. Retired at the end of last year due to a shoulder injury, leaving the Broncos with a $1 million-plus payout.

JORDAN KAHU: Joined the Cowboys last year but returned this season with 12 months to run on his Broncos contract. Hasn’t played for Brisbane for almost two years.

ANDREW McCULLOUGH: Signed four-year deal in 2017. Released to Newcastle for the rest of this year, but still has a 12-month option in his favour for next season.

DARIUS BOYD: Signed a four-year deal with an option for the 2021 season. Struggled last season and has announced his retirement at the end of this year.

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/darren-lockyer-hits-back-as-broncos-launch-roster-investigation/news-story/2183ddba90ab1480bdaa9f42fc587a26