NRL 2021: Brisbane Broncos are considering signing former NSW Origin star Aaron Woods

The Brisbane Broncos are undergoing a dramatic roster overhaul and a former NSW Origin and Kangaroos star is at the top of their recruitment list.

Aaron Woods and Blake Ferguson during warm up drills for the NSW Blues Origin team training session at the Novotel Pacific Bay Resort , Coffs Harbour .Picture : Gregg Porteous

The Broncos are considering making a play for ex-NSW Origin star Aaron Woods as the Red Hill revolution continues in the quest to make Brisbane an NRL premiership force again.

Woods and Canberra prop Ryan James have come on to Brisbane’s radar following the immediate release of Matt Lodge to the Warriors on Thursday.

Woods, 30, has enjoyed a solid season with Cronulla, starting all 14 games heading into Sunday’s clash against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

But the 223-game veteran will not be offered a contract extension by the Sharks and has caught the eye of the Broncos, who are clearing the decks as part of a roster overhaul and salary cap reshape.

The Broncos are in dire need of some experience up front to guide young props Payne Haas and Tom Flegler, who has been ruled out of the Sharks game following a head knock at training.

And they have cash to splash after making some key roster decisions.

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Cronulla prop Aaron Woods is on Brisbane’s radar. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Lodge has been released from his exorbitant contract, which ran until 2024, and unwanted forward Tevita Pangai Jr could follow him in the coming weeks or next season.

Five-eighth Anthony Milford — the highest paid player in Brisbane history on $1 million-a-season — has been told his Broncos career is over and winger Corey Oates faces an uncertain future.

The Broncos have already signed Adam Reynolds (Rabbitohs), Kurt Capewell (Panthers), Brenko Lee (Storm) and Jordan Pereira (Dragons) from next season.

The salary cap space freed up by Lodge’s departure could be used to sign Woods, a 14 Origin and 17 Test representative, or former Titans skipper James, a 154-game player that can’t make Canberra’s 17 at the moment.

New head of football Ben Ikin started at the Broncos this week and said the puzzle was taking shape.

“I wouldn’t say there is a fair bit of change to come, we are trying to minimise the disruption to the side,” he said.

“We are not dealing with lifeless commodities. We are dealing with human beings who have emotions and families. This process needs to be very respectful.

“There is a really clear picture starting to develop about what we want for next year and beyond.

Canberra prop Ryan James is a potential Broncos target. Digital image by Robb Cox/NRL Photos

“We have to make decisions during this season. Some take effect immediately while others are made in the background and won’t impact the side until next year.

“What players leave and what players come in shapes how much you’ve got to spend and who you go after. It changes your depth by position.

“When you lose Matt Lodge you get x amount of money and lose a certain player that plays a specific role in the team.

“You have to look at what you’ve currently got and whether or not you can replace what Lodge brought to the team.”

While the Broncos are reshaping their long-term future, there is plenty of work to be done immediately.

Brisbane is sitting last on the NRL ladder, with a bye in hand, and on a four-game losing streak as the prospect of back-to-back wooden spoons looms large.

Coach Kevin Walters is under pressure to turn around the team amid criticism of his communication and ability to lead an NRL club.

Ben Ikin has had a week at the Broncos as head of football. (AAP image, John Gass)

Walters has also been slammed for his mixed messaging which was on show this week with the Lodge affair.

On Monday, Walters boldly declared Lodge and Pangai Jr would not be leaving the club this season.

By Thursday, Lodge had secured an immediate release and there remains a chance Pangai Jr does the same before the August 1 transfer deadline.

Ikin said Walters had been asked to focus on coaching the team while the Lodge situation changed during the week.

“Kevvie was asked to commit his focus to coaching the team he’s got,” he said.

“To be the best coach he can be and get the most out of the team he’s got, it’s important he focuses on himself, his staff and players. He needs to make that team as strong as it possibly can be for the rest of the year.

“Statements were made on Monday that we all believed to be true and things changed by Tuesday. That’s the nature of this game. With new information you’re within your rights to change your position.

“We want Kevvie focused on coaching the team he’s got and give them the best experience he can for the rest of the season. We are still about winning footy games.”

Broncos coach Kevin Walters has come under fire for mixed messaging. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

With only three wins from 15 games, Walters is in danger of collecting the wooden spoon in his first season as an NRL head coach.

He has attempted to “reset” Brisbane’s season on the back of the representative bye weekend and is confident of getting a response from the Broncos.

“Over the next couple of weeks, we want to finish the season in a really positive mood, upbeat about our footy,” Walters said.

“With six of our next nine games at home, that’s a huge bonus for us.

“As a club and group, the staff and players are moving forward together.

“I can see the results of the (bye). They look really fresh, they’ve had some days off and time to reflect on their season so far.

“We’re genuinely excited about six games at home and some Sunday games.”