Broncos-Norths split: Brisbane bans nine players from featuring in QLD Cup after Dolphins steal feeder club

Two Broncos have been caught in the crossfire of the club’s split with feeder club Norths Devils and been barred from playing in a crunch match this weekend.

Jock Madden.

The Broncos have sensationally banned nine NRL stars from feeder-club Norths Devils and stood down Jock Madden and Xavier Willison for Saturday’s Queensland Cup clash against the Dolphins.

The expansion turf war between the Broncos and Dolphins intensified on Thursday when Wayne Bennett’s new franchise stole Brisbane’s affiliate club Norths Devils on a four-year, $2 million deal.

Nine Broncos top-liners were dual registered with the Devils for this season, including Madden, Willison, Reece Walsh, Kurt Capewell, Herbie Farnworth, Jordan Riki, Brendan Piakura, Martin Taupau and Kotoni Staggs.

Jock Madden won’t feature for Norths this weekend.

But in the wake of the Devils’ bombshell defection to the Dolphins next season, Broncos bosses took swift action.

Brisbane chiefs have revoked the playing group’s ties to Norths and transferred their Queensland Cup registration to their other feeder clubs, Souths Logan and Wynnum Manly.

Madden and Willison trained with the Devils as late as Wednesday night, but 24 hours after the Dolphins development, the duo were removed from the Norths side to face Redcliffe at Kayo Stadium.

Norths CEO Troy Rovelli confirmed the Broncos have notified the Queensland Cup defending premiers their days of receiving Brisbane-aligned NRL stars are over.

“The Devils have been informed that the NRL-contracted players allocated to us have been withdrawn from our club, effective immediately,” Rovelli said.

“We thank those players for their service to the Devils and we wish them the very best for the rest of the season.”

Xavier Willison has been caught in the crossfire.

The late scratching of Madden and Willison is a blow for the Devils, who face a strong Redcliffe side bolstered by Dolphins NRL regulars Tesi Niu and Felise Kaufusi, the Queensland Origin hitman who returns from suspension.

Brisbane’s affiliate contract with the Devils expires on October 31 this season, but Norths’ defection to the Dolphins from next season has gone down like a lead balloon with Broncos hierarchy.

While most of Brisbane’s big guns were unlikely to appear for Norths this season, several enjoyed successful stints with the Devils in their rise to the NRL.

Wests Tigers recruit Madden has played six games for Norths this season, Willison has amassed 24 career games, Piakura featured in last year’s grand-final win and superstar Walsh wore Devils colours just two years ago.

On Thursday, Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy insisted the Dolphins had not taken over Brisbane’s north, with Queensland’s NRL flagship club determined to maintain a strong presence in the region.

Donaghy said there is no ill-feeling towards the Devils, who have won the past two Queensland Cup premierships thanks to their alliance with the Broncos.

Troy Rovelli.

“We wish Norths all the best in the future,” he said.

“Now that they have made their decision we will move forward with our own plans across the wider Brisbane region.

“Being based on the northside of the river, we will continue to maintain a strong presence across this part of our city, through our home base and Academies at Red Hill, as well as our long-standing relationships with schools and our club’s game development partners in the north.

“The biggest change for us as a result of this change will see Broncos players, currently playing for Norths when not selected for the NRL, joining their teammates who are already with our other two affiliate clubs, Souths Logan Magpies and Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

“We remain fully committed to Brisbane’s north and are excited about continuing to develop our connections with the communities across the region in the years ahead.”

Dolphins chief executive Terry Reader said: “That’s a decision for the Broncos and I won’t comment on that decision.

“I know that the Dolphins are committed to promoting what’s best for rugby league on the northside of Brisbane. That includes from juniors through to Queensland Cup level.

“The Devils are a club with a lot of history and a lot of pride.

“I know that first-hand from a stint as the Devils CEO and on the board when we built a team that won a grand final without any NRL-contracted players.”