Tom Opacic determined to extend stay with Brisbane Broncos

OFF-contract at season’s end, Tom Opacic is determined to extend his stay at Brisbane — and he’s been given a golden opportunity by Wayne Bennett.

Tom Opacic. Picture: Annette Dew

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TOM Opacic admits he is playing for his NRL future as the promising Broncos rookie looks to clinch the left-centre position made famous by Steve Renouf.

Broncos coach Wayne Bennett has given Opacic a golden opportunity, naming the 23-year-old in the centres for Saturday’s trial hitout against the PNG Hunters in Port Moresby.

With star recruit Jack Bird sidelined for the opening month of the NRL premiership following shoulder surgery, the race is on to partner James Roberts and Opacic is primed to strike.

Opacic, off-contract at season’s end, has become Brisbane’s forgotten man.

The rugged 100kg three-quarter played nine games in his rookie year of 2016, but failed to play a single minute of NRL last season due to injury and the form of Tautau Moga at left centre.

But with Moga defecting to Newcastle this season, Opacic can secure the Brisbane No. 3 jumper that is synonymous with Renouf, who scored 142 tries in 183 games for the Broncos.

“For sure, that’s the position I want to get,” said Opacic, who will partner Roberts in the centres against the Intrust Super Cup premiers.

Tom Opacic is playing for his NRL future. Picture: Annette Dew

“I think I’m a better centre than winger. Centre is my position, I don’t see myself playing on the wing at all this season.

“But it’s up to me and my performances whether I take it or not. It depends what Wayne wants to do and how he wants to mix up his side.

“I’ve played two trials so far and it was good to get the full 80 minutes (against the Titans last week in Toowoomba) so I’m looking forward to getting a chance against PNG.”

While Opacic drifted off the NRL radar last season, he hasn’t sank without a trace. In the last six months, two Sydney-based NRL clubs have expressed interest in signing Opacic, but the Broncos rejected any notion of a release.

That stance underlines his value to the Broncos and Opacic, a brutal defender with a solid all-round game, is determined to extend his stay at Red Hill.

“I’m off-contract at the end of the year and that’s definitely an incentive,” he said.

Tom Opacic celebrates a try for the Broncos in 2016.

“It was a little bit disappointing not playing NRL last year, but I had some ankle injuries. The Broncos were playing top footy and why make changes when it’s working? There’s a lot of depth in the squad so it’s not easy to break in.

“To be honest, my performances were letting me down. I wasn’t playing up to my potential last year so I can’t blame anyone else.

“It’s my goal to hang around the Broncos for a while, but I need to play good footy this season and hopefully they will sign me to a new deal.”