NRL 2022: Broncos prop Keenan Palasia turned down huge deal to move south and join Manly

It was a deal that sent his head spinning - go south and earn up to $1 million - but Keenan Palasia turned it down and signed a one-year deal to stay at the Broncos. HERE’S WHY!

Palasia reckons he has barely scratched the surface of his talent.

They say loyalty in rugby league is dead.

Enter Broncos prop Keenan Palasia.

Four months ago, the unheralded Palasia fielded an offer that could change his life. NRL rivals Manly came calling, armed with a four-year, $250,000-a-season carrot, a $1 million package that sent Palasia’s head spinning.

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Keenan Palasia is in the starting line-up to face Souths.

The temptation was to take the money and bolt to Brookvale. After all, professional rugby league has taught Palasia there is no certainty. At the age of 25, he has already undergone five operations, including three knee surgeries, two of which were ACL reconstructions that could have easily delivered the bullet to his NRL career.

But, with a seven-figure sum on the table, Palasia doubled down at the Broncos. He signed a one-year extension worth $200,000, effectively sacrificing $800,000 in his ambition to be a one-club stalwart at the Broncos.

The first ray of reward comes on Friday night, when Palasia starts in the front row alongside Payne Haas, spearheading Brisbane’s pack in their round 1 blockbuster against South Sydney at Suncorp Stadium.

“It’s a remarkable financial sacrifice - not many players would walk away from a $1 million contract,” said Palasia’s manager Tas Bartlett of PSM.

“I received a call from Manly and Keenan had an opportunity to secure a four-year deal in the NRL.

“To knock that back, and back himself by signing a one-year extension with the Broncos (until the end of 2023), it’s a testament to his character.

“He said, ‘I want to get myself into the NRL team regularly this year’ and he is starting against Souths, so it’s a great reward for his hard work in pre-season.”

Palasia has been given a big early opportunity this year.

Palasia, who plays his 12th NRL game in the 2022 premiership opener, is under no illusions about his place in the Red Hill pecking order.

While he is starting against the Rabbitohs, Palasia accepts he faces relegation to the bench when Queensland Origin prop Tom Flegler returns from suspension in round four against the Warriors.

But the next three weeks is a golden opportunity for the 192cm, 106kg prop or back-rower to demonstrate why he was regarded one of the most promising forwards in the Queensland rugby league system.

As juniors, Palasia and Jaydn Su’A were touted as future Origin stars. The duo represented Queensland at under-15s, under-18s and under-20s level, but while Su’A kicked on to play Origin at senior level, injuries crushed Palasia’s progress.

Palasia, however, refused to walk away and he started to deliver on his promise at the back end of last season, impressing Broncos coach Kevin Walters with his hitting power and line-bending charges in midfield.

“Keenan has matured enormously in the last 12 to 18 months,” Bartlett said.

“Initially, he was just happy to be part of the NRL squad, whereas now he has got some confidence and some belief about just how good he can be.

Palasia reckons he has barely scratched the surface of his talent.

“With the six-again rules today in the NRL, he is the new-age middle forward. Keenan is agile, he reads defensive patterns well and he has some footy in him.

“Now that he is in the starting team, his confidence will go to another level.”

Palasia is adamant he has only scratched the surface of his talent.

“I’d be lying if I said the injuries weren’t hard and I thought maybe I won’t make it to the NRL,” he said.

“But I have such good people here at the Broncos helping me get back on track. Patty Carrigan and Kotoni (Staggs, Broncos teammates) have also gone through knee recos and come back, so that’s given me confidence I can do it, too.

“I’m really enjoying my time at the Broncos. I have spoken to ‘Kevvie’ (coach Walters) and every session he is pushing me to challenge for that starting spot alongside Payne and Patty.”

Wests Tigers rookie shopped to Raiders

-David Riccio

One of the Wests Tigers rising talents could be on the move with award-winning half Jock Madden shopped to rival clubs, including the Canberra Raiders.

Madden, a former Australian Schoolboys halfback, was presented to the Raiders by his management last week as an immediate solution for the long-term injury to Jamal Fogarty.

The 22-year-old took out the Western Suburbs Magpies Player of the Year in the NSW Cup last year and is highly regarded for his accurate passing and kicking game.

He finished last season as the leading point scorer in NSW Cup with 130 points, scoring eight tries and 49 goals.

Madden also had six try assists, seven line break assists and was second in total kick metres (2,905) when the season was cancelled.

Tigers halfback Jock Madden was the leading pointscorer in the NSW Cup last season. Picture: Jeremy Piper

At this stage, the Raiders are prepared to back their 22-year-old rookie Brad Schneider, who has been named at halfback to face Cronulla on Friday night.

Schneider has also impressed in the lower grades, but the Raiders do have salary cap room to spend. Madden’s management clearly feel he is down the order at the Wests Tigers.

Jackson Hastings and Luke Brooks have been selected to steer the Tigers for their round one clash against the Storm at CommBank Stadium on Saturday night.

Madden, who did well in the Tigers pre-season trial matches, has played three NRL games after making his first grade debut last year.