Broncos respond to vandalism allegation | Sport Confidential

Brisbane’s boss has adressed rumours of an in-house scandal — check out all the latest NRL news in Sport Confidential.

Brisbane boss Dave Donaghy has addressed rumours the club has been rocked by an in-house scandal in which a Broncos player allegedly vandalised a coaching staffer’s car.

A Sydney radio podcast suggested a Broncos assistant coach had his car covered in graffiti, possibly by a player seeking retribution, but Donaghy set the record straight on the allegations.

“That’s simply not true,” Donaghy said. “We’ll put this one down to another great league whisper.”

Donaghy declined to elaborate, but it is understood a member of the public damaged one of a fleet of sponsored cars parked at Broncos headquarters several months ago.

Broncos management had the graffiti professionally removed but any suggestion of a coach-player rift is off the mark.

FORMER BRONCO GETS SHOCK NRL LIFELINE

Brisbane and Storm reject Brodie Croft is back on the radar of NRL clubs.

Exactly a year after NRL Immortal Andrew Johns claimed Croft would never be seen again in Australia, the former Broncos playmaker has attracted interest for a possible return to the big league.

Croft has been in sensational form for Salford in the English Super League, prompting three NRL clubs to contact the Red Devils directly inquiring about his services.

Still only 25, Croft had a nightmare stint at the Broncos, but has turned Salford into a finals contender with a burst of form that has seen him labelled the form halfback of the English Super League.

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Brodie Croft has attracted interest for a return to the NRL. Picture: Getty Images

Croft is contracted to Salford until the end of next year and told a British podcast earlier this week he hasn’t ruled out a return to the NRL.

“Coming over and playing with these boys and finding the love for the game that I lost a bit at the back end of last year has been so good,” he said.

“I would never say no (to the NRL) or close the door or anything but I’m not looking too far ahead either.

“I thought I would finish my career at Brisbane. That was my mindset and it didn’t happen.

“I’m focusing on the now and whatever happens can happen with the enjoyment I’ve brought back to my game.”

BOLD PROPOSAL FOR LEAGUE KNOCKOUT CUP

The Queensland Rugby League has proposed a new, FA Cup-style tournament as part of a radical plan behind the push for a national reserve-grade competition.

Sport Confidential can reveal the code’s strategic plan for an NRL reserve grade has taken a twist, with the QRL devising another bold proposal in a bid to strengthen rugby league’s second tier.

Key stakeholders are in talks to create an additional second-tier tournament in which teams from the Queensland and NSW Cups would square off in a “crossover” competition.

It would also allow reserve-grade outfits from the Broncos, Titans and Cowboys to take part against NSW Cup teams such as Penrith, the Bulldogs and Newcastle, giving NRL brands more representation in the second tier.

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The Broncos would field a team in the proposed knockout tournament. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The Queensland and NSW Cup competitions will still exist in their current format.

But this additional league will see approximately 30 teams — comprising the two state leagues plus the Broncos, Titans, Cowboys and a new Toowoomba side — going toe-to-toe in a cross-border bonanza.

Several formats and names are still being discussed. One suggested name is the Challenge Cup.

In UK football, 124 teams participate in the famous FA Cup knockout tournament, while English rugby league has the Challenge Cup, which had 63 entrants last year.

QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher said the original NRL reserve-grade concept is unlikely to proceed as bosses explore other options — including an Australian version of the Challenge Cup.

“We need to refine the concept a little more, but we have proposed an FA or Challenge Cup competition where the Queensland and NSW Cup teams can crossover to play each other,” he said.

The Bears are a powerful NSW Cup side.

“There is not a great appetite among the 16 NRL clubs for a national reserve grade, but this can be a successful alternative.

“The Queensland and NSW Cups will have their existing competitions and this Challenge Cup competition could be played as a separate knockout league or over seven or eight rounds leading to a grand final.

“By having a Challenge Cup competition, that would enable the Broncos, Cowboys and Titans to field reserve-grade teams.

“You could have the Broncos reserve-grade side playing against the Newtown Jets in the Challenge Cup which would be great to see.

“It’s quite an exciting proposal and a very good alternative to the NRL reserve-grade model.”

Wynum-Manly would presumably have to compete without their Broncos aligned players

Hatcher said key administrators were committed to ensuring any proposed new competition was not killed off after one season.

“It’s possible a Challenge Cup league could come in next year, but it’s more likely to be in 2024,” he said.

“When it’s done, we would look at a five-year arrangement to test the format and iron-out any issues that are raised along the way.

“This proposal is in the greater interests of rugby league.”

TITANS YOUNG GUN HAAS NO PASSPORT

Gold Coast rookie Klese Haas missed the team’s flight to New Zealand on Wednesday because he didn’t have a passport.

Haas was in a mad scramble to secure a passport to get over to Auckland before Saturday’s final game of the season against the Warriors.

Klese Haas was was in a mad scramble to secure a passport. Picture: NRL Photos

Haas, 20, didn’t think he would be travelling overseas this year because he wasn’t part of the Gold Coast’s top 30.

But he was promoted to the top squad before the August 1 deadline and then made his NRL debut last Sunday against Newcastle.

Haas was left with a mad scramble to obtain a passport in time for the Warriors game.

It didn’t arrive in time for the team’s flight from Coolangatta on Wednesday, leaving Haas to fly solo on Thursday ahead of his second NRL game.

“He will probably join us (Thursday),” Titans coach Justin Holbrook said.

Klese Haas didn’t think he would be travelling overseas this year. Picture: NRL Photos

“There’s been a bit of a delay with his passport. He will be fine.

“He had to drive up to Brisbane and get it. He wouldn’t have thought three weeks ago he was a chance of playing NRL this year, let alone a trip to New Zealand.

“Things work in funny ways. He will get over here and be fine.

“He had a great game for us last week, I was really happy for him.

“He did an excellent job on his debut. We’re happy we got a win for him in his first game.

“He’ll remember this one for different reasons and a bit of a journey to get him over there. Once he gets there he’ll be ready to go. He’ll be right.”

DOLPHINS’ TRIPLE TREAT

New franchise the Dolphins will boast three home grounds when they make their big splash in the NRL next season.

Sport Confidential can reveal the Dolphins’ home-ground allocation for next season, with the NRL’s 17th team to play seven games at Suncorp Stadium, three at Dolphin Stadium and two at Sunshine Coast Stadium in 2023.

When the Dolphins first clinched an NRL licence last year, there were suggestions they would play 10 of their 12 home games at Suncorp, with one match apiece at Redcliffe and the Sunshine Coast.

But the Dolphins are spreading their tentacles further afield as they look to capitalise on growing markets outside a Brisbane CBD region dominated by the Broncos.

The Dolphins will look to play blockbuster games against Queensland rivals such as the Broncos, Titans and Cowboys at Suncorp, but matches against teams with smaller travelling fans will be staged at their boutique venues at Redcliffe and the Sunshine Coast.

Redcliffe’s boutique stadium will host three NRL matches next season.

BRONCOS ACT OF VANDALISM

Brisbane boss Dave Donaghy has addressed rumours the club has been rocked by an in-house scandal in which a Broncos player allegedly vandalised a coaching staffer’s car.

A Sydney radio podcast suggested a Broncos assistant coach had his car covered in graffiti, possibly by a player seeking retribution, but Donaghy set the record straight on the allegations.

“That’s simply not true,” Donaghy said. “We’ll put this one down to another great league whisper.”

Donaghy declined to elaborate, but it is understood a member of the public damaged one of a fleet of sponsored cars parked at Broncos headquarters several months ago.

Broncos management had the graffiti professionally removed but any suggestion of a coach-player rift is off the mark.

HOME SWEET HOME FOR NANAI

This could be the most compelling sign yet that Cowboys sensation Jeremiah Nanai has no plans to quit North Queensland.

The Queensland Origin rookie has wasted no time buying his first home in Townsville with partner Jordii Mahendrarajah, suggesting Nanai won’t be leaving the Cowboys anytime soon.

The couple posed up for a photo outside their new home, a four-bedroom house which was listed for offers over $549,000.

Earlier this season, Nanai only signed a one-year deal with the Cowboys and since then, he has rocketed into the Queensland Origin team and attracted interest from a raft of Sydney-based NRL clubs.

Nanai is a free agent from November and has been linked with the Roosters, but the Cowboys remain confident they can keep the back-row superstar, whose partner plays for North Queensland’s female team.

Cowboys star Jeremiah Nanai and his partner Jordii Mahendrarajah buy their first house.

Cowboys star Jeremiah Nanai and his partner Jordii Mahendrarajah have purchased their first house.

WELSH WIZARD’S BRONCOS BONUS

Wigan assistant coach Lee Briers has broken his silence on his impending move to Australia to join the Broncos.

Briers will become the latest British coach to test himself Down Under when he links with the Broncos, joining Kevin Walters’ growing team of assistants as a ‘transition coach’ at Red Hill.

Walters forged a bond with Briers during a stint at Warrington two decades ago and the former Wales international is relishing the prospect of helping Brisbane’s planned fightback as a premiership force.

“My role is a transition coach which is the top end of the squad,” Briers told British media.

“There have also been talks about doing the attack and outside backs ... my title is Transition Coach but I don’t know the finer details yet.

“Brisbane Broncos don’t just take anybody so I must be doing something right. I’m not all bad, I must be a good person somewhere.

“My purpose is coaching. Playing was for my coaching career and it has taught me discipline, to care and understand myself and to be a good person.”

SEXTON’S TITANIC SNUB

Titans halfback Toby Sexton can’t get a run in the NRL despite the Gold Coast’s hooker crisis.

The Titans have been decimated at dummy-half, with their latest No. 9 Sam McIntyre set to be ruled out of Saturday’s clash against the Warriors in New Zealand.

McIntyre has a hand problem while other hookers Erin Clark and Aaron Booth are sidelined with knee injuries.

Tanah Boyd is the only other recognised dummy-half in the team, but Holbrook is refusing to shift him from halfback and will run with makeshift hookers against the Warriors.

He has the option to recall Sexton at halfback and shift Boyd to hooker, but the young No. 7 appears to have been put on ice for the year.

Sexton was dropped a month ago following a tough season and hasn’t been able to force his way back into the Titans’ 17 despite the hooker crisis.

Toby Sexton can’t get a run in the NRL for the Titans. Picture: Getty Images

“I’ll look for a hooker over there (Auckland) and sign him up,” Holbrook joked.

“Paul Turner’s doing a good job there and is a creative player who is a real utility. He’ll spend a lot more time there.

“There’ll be a bit of makeshift work going on like we’ve been doing lately. We’ll be okay.

“We’re really happy with how Tanah’s going at halfback. He’s running the side really well and playing with a lot of confidence.

“He is doing a terrific job so that’s why I’ll leave him there.”

Sexton faces a nervous future with Kieran Foran arriving at the Titans next year and Boyd putting his hand up for the No. 7 duties.

BRONCOS STUN BOOKIES

The Broncos’ end of season capitulation has stunned even experienced bookmakers with TAB’s traders finding it difficult to recall such a recent dramatic drift in odds.

Brisbane was rated a $12 premiership hope a mere month ago but blew out to $501 at the start of this week following the disastrous loss to Parramatta.

“Kevvie’s dressing shed spray was nothing compared to some of those punters who had taken juicy odds on Brisbane finishing top four this season,” said TAB’s Rohan Welsh.

“They’re back to $251 to win the title with TAB but they need to make finals first and they’re $6 just to sneak into the top eight with Canberra a $1.12 chance to break their hearts.”