NRL 2021: Broncos table monster deal to keep Kotoni Staggs until 2025

Speculation was rife that Kotoni Staggs was poised to quit the Broncos to chase big offers from Sydney. But after securing Jordan Riki, the Broncos have tabled a massive deal for Staggs.

Kotoni Staggs. Picture: AAP

Brisbane have upped the ante in the bidding war for Kotoni Staggs by tabling a mega $2.8 million deal in a bid to stop their most lethal outside back quitting the Broncos.

Buoyed by their retention of rising forward Jordan Riki, the Broncos have ramped-up plans to keep Staggs with an offer that represents one of the most lucrative contracts in Brisbane’s 33-year history.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the Broncos have tabled a four-year extension aimed at keeping the explosive Staggs at Red Hill until the end of 2025.

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The Broncos have hit back in the fierce bidding war for star centre Kotoni Staggs.

The Broncos are under siege for the signature of the NSW Origin hopeful, with Staggs having fielded interest from at least two Sydney-based clubs, Parramatta and the Bulldogs, and Brisbane’s derby rivals the Titans.

Staggs has received offers of $800,000 a season and is expected to finalise his future by next month after holding talks with a number of suitors, including Titans culture chief Mal Meninga.

While the Broncos lack the funds under the salary cap to win the battle for Staggs purely on money, Brisbane coach Kevin Walters hopes the 22-year-old is prepared to buy into his vision for a cultural overhaul at Red Hill.

Staggs has a 12-month option in his favour for next season but has yet to activate the clause, opening the door for NRL rivals amid intense speculation the Tongan Test ace is ready to walk out on the Broncos.

But Walters is refusing to concede defeat. Brisbane’s new deal is worth around $700,000 a season and while the package cannot trump Sydney-based offers, it would still represent the richest contract of Staggs’ career as he looks to achieve his ambition of providing security for his closest family members.

Kotoni Staggs was a standout performer for the Broncos last year. Picture: Scott Davis/NRL Photos

Amid fears of a Red Hill exodus, Riki rammed home his faith in Walters’ restoration mission by inking a three-year upgrade on Tuesday and he urged Staggs to stay loyal to the Broncos.

“I wanted to be the first person to put my hand up and say jump on board and let’s fight,” Riki said. “We need to put this club back on the map again.”

A move to Sydney would not deter Staggs. The 98kg dynamo hails from the NSW country town of Wellington and a shift south would put him closer to extended family and friends in his birthplace.

But Walters is also exploring on-field options for Staggs, having spoken to the tryscoring centre to gauge his interest in a possible move to five-eighth next season.

Broncos five-eighth legend Darren Lockyer believes Staggs could ignite Brisbane’s backline if handed the No.6 jumper in 2022.

“Kotoni is a competitor,” he said. “If it is a position down the track he wants to play, then I would back him in to do the work to get to where he needs to be.

“You have to have that complementary mix in the halves. You need an organiser and then another guy who can have the freedom to use their running game.

Kotoni Staggs has attracted huge interest from rival clubs. Picture: Lachie Millard

“At the moment, Brodie Croft is the organiser and Anthony Milford is the ‘eyes-up’ five-eighth who has a licence to play what’s in front of him.

“In saying that, Kotoni is a great right centre and I do like him in the centres.

“He is a strike centre, but if he has a desire to play five-eighth, I think he could be successful there.”

The Titans remain a serious threat to the Broncos, with Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook confirming his interest in Staggs and Broncos wing teammate Xavier Coates.

“There is a level of interest,” Holbrook said of the Broncos duo.

“You never know whether you will get those players or not. You just have to show your interest and see where it lands I guess.

“They are conversations in the sense we are looking to strengthen our side for next year.

“If you are linked to three or four players, we‘re not going to end up with three or four ... we might end up with one.”