NRL signings news 2023: Brisbane Broncos lock-in unsung backline hero for three years
MARKET WATCH: The Broncos have hit back after losing Herbie Farnworth, securing a key backline cog on a three-year deal. Follow all the signing news here.
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Jesse Arthars has capped an impressive Broncos fightback by clinching a three-year extension ahead of Saturday night’s clash against the Raiders at Suncorp Stadium.
Arthars’ future at Red Hill appeared uncertain just 12 months ago when the 24-year-old was temporarily released from his Broncos deal as part of a one-year loan arrangement with NRL rivals the Warriors.
Arthars scored five tries from 12 games for the Warriors last year and since returning to Red Hill this season, the speedy utility has emerged as vital backline insurance after Origin winger Corey Oates suffered a broken jaw.
In the absence of Oates, Arthars has played on the wing in four of Brisbane’s five wins, running for over 400 metres with nine tackle busts and three line-breaks.
That convinced the Broncos to keep the off-contract Arthars at Brisbane for an extended term until the end of 2026.
Arthars, who joined the Broncos from the Titans in 2020, has become a valuable member of Brisbane’s full-time roster and said his brief cameo at the Warriors helped him return to Red Hill a better player.
“I am pretty happy to be staying here for another three years, I have a bit of security now and I love being around the club,” said Arthars, named on the left wing for Brisbane’s round 6 fixture against Canberra.
“I went away for a year at the Warriors and I really enjoyed my time there.
“I went there to get some NRL experience and I did that. I look back on it now and I’m thankful to the Broncos for giving me that opportunity. It was good for my football and my confidence and I’m running with it now.
“There were a few other clubs keen, but I was really keen to stay at the Broncos.
“It was a no-brainer to stay here and I’m lucky the club has put their faith in me and I want to repay that.”
The Broncos are flying high on top of the league with a perfect 5-0 record and have named an unchanged side to the 17-man squad which trounced the Tigers 46-12 at Suncorp Stadium last week.
Arthars plays his 47th top-grade game against the Raiders and has caught the eye with his versatility and dependability out wide.
“Jesse has been really impressive since he re-joined the club at the start of the pre-season from his year at the Warriors,” Broncos coach Kevin Walters said.
“He moves well across the ground and is good under the high ball and fits really well into the way we want to play as a team.
“Jesse also brings versatility and can play centre, wing and even fullback - this year we have asked him to fill a role on the wing for us in first grade and he has done a terrific job.
“Jesse is a team player and that is exactly the kind of person we want as part of what we are building here at the Broncos - we are delighted that he is staying.”
Arthars joins a host of teammates to commit to the club’s long-term future including Pat Carrigan, Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo, Kotoni Staggs, Kobe Hetherington, Cory Paix, Corey Jensen, Blake Mozer and Xavier Willison.
TITANS LAND SUPER LEAGUE STAR IN MID-SEASON COUP
The Gold Coast Titans have landed a crucial mid-season signing to offset a long-term injury to hooker Sam Verrills.
England Super League star Kruise Leeming will soon arrive on the Gold Coast after penning a deal for the remainder of the 2023 NRL season.
The 27-year-old steered Leeds Rhinos to last year’s Super League grand final and will help the Titans in their hooking stocks while Verrills recovers from his collarbone injury, which is expected to keep the off-season recruit sidelined until mid-season.
In the meantime, Leeming will compete with Chris Randall for the No.9 jersey under Titans coach Justin Holbrook.
“Kruise has runs on the board in the hooking role and has shown what he can do in the English competition for many years now,” Holbrook said.
“With Sam Verrills on the sidelines as he recovers from surgery, it was important that we had quality depth in the hooking role.
“Chris Randall has already done a fantastic job for us in the number nine jersey, but we need to make sure we’ve got depth in the role given it’s a key position.”
The Titans had the bye this weekend, and will face St George Illawarra next week as they look to build on their two-win start to the season.
DOLPHINS LOCK IN KEY PLAYMAKER TO NEW DEAL
By Peter Badel
The Dolphins have continued their recruitment-and-retention drive by securing New Zealand Test star Jeremy Marshall-King to a new deal.
Marshall-King has inked a two-year upgrade with the Dolphins as he prepares to return from suspension for Saturday night’s clash against St George Illawarra at WIN Stadium.
The extension comes just weeks after the Dolphins delivered a one-two punch on the Broncos by poaching key Brisbane duo Tom Flegler and Herbie Farnworth for next season.
The brother of NRL legend Benji Marshall has been one of the Dolphins’ early-season standouts, playing a starring role in the Redcliffe club’s historic defeat of the Sydney Roosters in their premiership debut at Suncorp Stadium.
Marshall-King then helped inspire the Dolphins’ second consecutive win over the Raiders before suffering a two-game suspension which wiped him out of clashes against the Knights and Broncos.
The clever Kiwi Test hooker was already contracted to the NRL’s 17th team for 2024, but the Dolphins have tabled an upgrade to keep him until the end of 2025.
The 27-year-old has become one of the most improved players in the league and Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett lauded his importance to his playmaking spine as Marshall-King looks to topple the Dragons.
“Jeremy has been outstanding for us,” Bennett said.
“We really missed his creativity against the Broncos, he has made such a difference to our attack.
“We’re really happy with him.”
A veteran of 102 NRL games, Marshall-King had five seasons at Canterbury and was named the Bulldogs’ best-and-fairest player last year, but says he is relishing his new chapter after taking a leap of faith with the Dolphins.
“It has been a great move for my family and we have enjoyed ourselves immensely up here,” Marshall-King said.
“I am really happy with the way things are going and the exciting start the club has had to their first season.
“I want to thank the Dolphins’ fans and the local community for how they have welcomed us.
“I am really excited about what is ahead for the future of the Dolphins and I want to be part of it.”
Marshall-King made his NRL debut at the Wests Tigers in 2017 and has developed into one of the finest hookers in the code with his vision and playmaking guile around the rucks.
Dolphins’ chief executive Terry Reader said Marshall-King had already shown his value to the club.
“Jeremy has made an immediate impact at the Dolphins not only on the field, but off the field as well,” Reader said.
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Originally published as NRL signings news 2023: Brisbane Broncos lock-in unsung backline hero for three years
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