NRL 2022: Jock Madden signs with Brisbane Broncos | Market Watch
The Broncos have got their man — and his arrival gives Kevin Walters plenty to think about, while a senior Cowboy has clinched his NRL future. Check out the latest NRL signing news
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Brisbane have confirmed the signing of Jock Madden with the former Wests Tigers playmaker setting his sights on partnering Adam Reynolds at the Broncos’ scrumbase next season.
As revealed by News Corp, the Broncos were closing in on the signature of Madden and they have got their man, securing the 22-year-old to a two-year deal.
Originally a halfback, Madden is also capable of playing five-eighth and is ready to challenge newly-minted Brisbane rookie-of-the-year Ezra Mam for the Broncos’ No.6 jumper in 2023.
Madden captained the 2018 Australian Schoolboys team before linking with the Wests Tigers the following year and making a winning NRL debut in last year’s Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium.
He tasted more success at Suncorp Stadium this year, terrorising the Broncos with a try, two line breaks and two try assists in the Wests Tigers’ 32-18 boilover which triggered Brisbane’s finals freefall.
Broncos coach Kevin Walters was impressed with Madden’s display that night and believes the rising playmaker will bolster Brisbane’s scrumbase stocks as they eye a finals appearance next season.
“Jock is a great signing for our NRL squad,” he said.
“He is a talented young player who has some NRL experience and knows what it takes to train and play at the top level.
“He’s a good developing half with plenty of skill and vision in his passing, running and kicking games and gives us some really nice depth in the halves, and we saw some of that on display at Suncorp earlier this season.
“We are looking forward to Jock joining us for pre-season in November as we build into a big 2023.”
Premiers Penrith held talks with Madden, but with Nathan Cleary entrenched for the next decade in the Panthers No.7 jumper, Madden opted for the Broncos.
The classy Mam impressed for the Broncos in his debut campaign in 2022, but the prospect of joining forces with Reynolds sealed Madden’s move to Brisbane.
“Jock had a lot of interest and it came down to either Panthers or the Broncos,” said his manager Chris Orr of PSM.
“After meeting ‘Kevvie’ Walters and visiting the club, he had made up his mind that he wanted to join the Broncos.
“The added bonus of learning from an experienced halfback in Reynolds, whilst competing with Mam for the No.6 jersey, really appealed to Jock.”
SIGNING BOOST AS KEY COWBOY LOCKED IN
By Peter Badel, Michael Carayannis and Brent Read
Jordan McLean is poised to sign a new deal with the Cowboys in a boost for North Queensland ahead of Friday night’s grand-final qualifier against the Eels in Townsville.
News Corp can reveal McLean will not be shown the door by North Queensland coach Todd Payten, who is keen to ensure the towering prop remains on the Cowboys’ roster for the 2023 season.
Despite being one of the code’s most senior forwards, McLean remains among a group of NRL players still without a club for next season entering the NRL’s new contracting period on November 1.
The 30-year-old has played a key role in the Cowboys’ revival this year, chalking up 21 appearances in arguably the best season of his career, but goes into the Eels’ sudden-death preliminary final without his future sorted.
Payten, however, is determined to keep McLean in Townsville, with the Cowboys confident they have room in the salary cap to extend the former Test enforcer on a one or two-year deal.
The parties are in the advanced stages of talks and hope to have a deal formalised before McLean hits free agency.
McLean has been linked with a return to former club the Storm, who have lost key forward trio Jesse and Kenny Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi to the Dolphins, but the Cowboys want the 178-game stalwart to finish his career in Townsville.
After three below-par seasons, McLean has been strong in 2022 and would have made his NSW Origin debut but for a heartbreaking injury breakdown at Blues training.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ Queensland rivals the Broncos are set to secure Billy Walters to a new deal.
The Broncos have one full-time spot left on their roster for next season and Brisbane have allowed salary-cap room for Walters, the son of Broncos coach Kevin, to remain at Red Hill.
Walters was one of Brisbane’s most consistent players this season, playing 23 of 24 games and impressing with his utility value, starting at hooker and five-eighth or coming off the bench as the Broncos’ Mr Fixit.
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