Broncos news 2023: Brisbane centre Kotoni Staggs has a chance to extend Origin career

Kotoni Staggs played one game for NSW and was never chosen again, but with the centre position up for grabs for the Blues, could he surface once again at Origin level?

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 11: Kotoni Staggs of the Broncos is tackled during the round 11 NRL match between Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos at AAMI Park on May 11, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

As NSW prepare to drop their superstar centre Tom Trbojevic, Broncos strike weapon Kotoni Staggs has a carrot dangling in front of his eyes.

He might not be able to grab it with both hands straight away but where once there was nothing but thin air to aim at suddenly there is a target.

The whisper on every street corner is that South Sydney’s in form Campbell Graham will be Latrell Mitchell’s centre partner in the first Blues State of Origin side named on Monday.

But instead of being road-blocked by the once immovable duo of Mitchell and Trbojevic, Staggs can now feel as if he is a fighting chance of appearing at some stage this series.

Staggs’ sole State of Origin match was game one of the 2022 series and he was dropped after the Blues lost 16-10.

He has been playing steadily for the Broncos this season without quite mustering the blistering form which once made him one of the competition’s most feared centres.

Staggs will get the chance to press his chances when he plays for the Broncos against the Panthers at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.

Kotoni Staggs (L) and Ezra Mam (R) display the Broncos’ Indigenous jerseys. – Picture: Richard Walker

Trbojevic, at his best one of most destructive talents to have played the game, has been a shadow of his best this year with his grim facial expressions the side of player lacking his customary mobility.

The Broncos are likely to be without skipper Adam Reynolds who is set to be rested after a neck scare against the Storm last week.

That puts youngster Jock Madden in the hot seat for his second game with the club.

Madden’s halves partner Ezra Mam said he was confident Madden could do the job.

“I am happy to take the lead but Jock is there as well,’’ Mam said.

“I don’t think it will change very much. Jock stepped up at training today. I felt very comfortable.

“I am happy for him to take the lead if he wants to. Nothing is going to change. I think we will be fine. We will both play eyes up footy.

“I am comfortable out there running with him.’’

Originally published as Broncos news 2023: Brisbane centre Kotoni Staggs has a chance to extend Origin career