Sport Confidential: Knights blow Broncos out of water for NRLW stars Millie Boyle and Tamika Upton
SPORT CONFIDENTIAL: Two of the Broncos biggest stars last season have become the first six-figure players in NRLW history after signing marquee deals at the cashed-up Knights.
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The Broncos were blown out of the water by a $200,000 bid by Newcastle for star NRLW duo Tamika Upton and Millie Boyle.
Upton and Boyle became the first six-figure players in NRLW history this week after receiving eye watering offers to join the cashed-up Knights.
The dynamic duo will become Newcastle’s two marquee NRLW players, which puts them outside the $350,000 salary cap for the 24-woman squad.
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The nib Newcastle Knights are delighted to announce the dual signings of marquee recruits, Millie Boyle and Tamika Upton, for the upcoming 2022 NRLW season 💥💥
— Newcastle Knights (@NRLKnights) May 18, 2022
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The new marquee player arrangement allows clubs to pay two players whatever they want and their salaries are only included in the salary cap at $16,000-a-piece.
Upton and Boyle wanted $100,000 each to stay at the Broncos for what is a five-week regular season and then two-week finals series.
The Broncos simply weren’t prepared to match it, which prompted Upton and Boyle to accept the rich offers from the Knights, who have big plans to dominate in women’s rugby league.
Gould’s rich bonus to fix crisis-torn Bulldogs
Powerful Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould stands to pocket a $1.6 million pay day if he can spearhead a premiership revival of crisis-torn Canterbury.
The massive financial implications of the drama-charged overhaul taking place at Belmore have come to the surface in the wake of coach Trent Barrett’s departure on Monday.
Well-placed sources have told Sport Confidential the cashed-up Canterbury Leagues Club could be forced to provide a financial grant of around $7 million to prop up their ailing football arm in the Bulldogs’ desperate quest to hit back as a title force under Gould.
It is understood Barrett received a payout of $600,000 following his decision to sever ties with the club, while a contract laced with incentives could see Gould’s Canterbury deal surge past the $1 million mark.
Gould’s base salary at the Bulldogs is in the vicinity of $800,000. Should Canterbury qualify for the finals in the coming seasons, the former NSW Origin coach stands to pocket a $200,000 bonus. Should he meet a number of other key performance indicators, such as the Bulldogs making the top four and ultimately breaking through for another premiership, Gould’s bonus structure could see his salary doubled to peak at $1.6 million.
Some would argue no NRL head of football is worth that amount. But it underlines the power of Gould, who coached Canterbury to a premiership in 1988.
Broncos sweat as Roosters eye Cobbo
It is the phone call from Greece that will ring alarm bells at the Broncos.
Roosters billionaire Nick Politis has entered the race for the signature of Broncos sensation Selwyn Cobbo as the Bondi powerhouse prepares for life after NSW Origin skipper James Tedesco.
Sport Confidential can reveal Politis is so excited at the potential of Cobbo he took time out from an overseas working holiday to lodge an expression of interest in the Broncos young gun.
The Broncos have started negotiations to keep Cobbo at Red Hill until the end of 2025, but the battle for the teenager has intensified with the Roosters circling the boom 19-year-old following his sizzling start to the 2022 premiership.
Cobbo’s manager Tas Bartlett confirmed the Roosters are among a raft of clubs who have contacted him about the Queensland Origin hopeful, who is contracted to the Broncos until the end of 2023.
That gives Brisbane bosses a crucial six-month headstart to secure Cobbo to a bumper extension before the Roosters or other clubs can launch a poaching raid.
“We’ve had inquiries from at least seven clubs, including the Roosters,” said Bartlett of PSM.
“We’ve started talks with the Broncos but at this point in time we are in no rush because Selwyn is still contracted for another 18 months.
“I just want Selwyn to focus on playing well for the Broncos, especially with State of Origin around the corner.”
Roosters chairman Politis, a former Broncos shareholder, first made contact with Cobbo’s management after the rookie winger scored two tries in Brisbane’s 32-12 rout of the Rabbitohs in Sydney.
Watching the game from Greece, Politis spoke to Cobbo’s management. He rates the 100kg Bronco one of the best backline talents he has seen in 10 years.
The Indigenous flyer then franked Politis’ assessment with a stunning hat-trick in Brisbane’s 38-0 Magic Round flogging of Manly.
While Politis has interest in Cobbo, there is one significant impediment for the Roosters – the NRL salary cap.
The Roosters have a number of stars on their books, including $1 million skipper Tedesco, and Politis will not launch a big-money raid on Cobbo if there is a risk of losing a key top-liner such as off-contract forward Angus Crichton.
Tedesco is off-contract at the end of 2024. The Roosters will never force their skipper out, but Tedesco turns 30 in January and Cobbo is viewed as a possible successor to ‘Teddy’ in the No.1 jumper.
Politis knows a special talent when he sees one. The Roosters patriarch saw Latrell Mitchell develop into a superstar at Bondi and Cobbo is regarded as Brisbane’s version of Latrell, who has since moved to South Sydney.
Farnworth decision imminent
Herbie Farnworth is on the verge of deciding his future, with Broncos coach Kevin Walters admitting Brisbane would like an answer from the in-form centre sooner rather than later.
Following a sizzling start to the season in which he has been one of Brisbane’s best players, Farnworth has received rich offers from clubs including the Dolphins, Eels and Knights to leave Red Hill.
The Broncos are nervously waiting for Farnworth to make a decision on whether he accepts a deal to remain in Brisbane or looks to cash in on his rise.
The Broncos have not slapped a deadline on Farnworth but ideally would like his future finalised so they can continue their roster planning.
“We’d like an answer from him soon if we can,” Walters said.
“Simon (Scanlan, recruitment boss) and Ben (Ikin, football chief) are looking after that so I’ll just keep coaching.
“He has just passed the 50-game mark and in the next 25 games he’s going to keep getting better. His best footy is in front of him.
“From what we’ve seen of him this year, I’ve been particularly happy with his defence. It’s improved and he’s got a real attitude about it now.”
Farnworth and Kotoni Staggs could be a deadly centre pairing for the Broncos in years to come, but it wouldn’t be the end of the world if the England World Cup hopeful departs.
The Broncos have boom centre prospect Deine Mariner waiting in the wings and he is set to have a long career in the NRL.
No pay rises for Broncos big wigs
Broncos chairman Karl Morris insists no Brisbane director will be receiving a pay rise after the board was granted an extra $130,000 in salaries.
The Broncos’ board now has access to $350,000 in remuneration following Tuesday’s annual general meeting.
The $130,000 increase is the first time the remuneration pool has received a bump-up since 2010 when it went from $110,000 to $220,000.
But the extra cash won’t filter through to the current board members, according to Morris.
The appointments of Andrew Fraser and David Asplin to replace Tony Joseph last year meant there was not enough money in the $220,000 pool to pay all directors this year.
Morris pockets $70,000-a-year as chairman while other board members like club legend Darren Lockyer and former netball coach Vikki Wilson were paid $32,000 for the year.
While the extra $130,000 seems like a lot to cover Asplin’s appointment, Morris told Sport Confidential no board members would be receiving pay rises and the increase was to ensure there was enough funds allocated in case the Broncos’ board expands.
“The primary purpose of increasing the total aggregate remuneration pool is to accommodate the recent growth in the number of directors (from five to six in December 2021) and to allow for sufficient capacity to enable the company to attract and retain the highest quality candidates for the role of director,” the Broncos said in a statement.
Brown on borrowed time
It is one of the NRL’s shock moments - rookie Dragons coach Nathan Brown slapping his five-eighth Trent Barrett on the sidelines at WIN Stadium in 2003.
So it would be ironic if, almost two decades later, Brown, now in charge at the Warriors, became the next coaching domino to fall following the demise of Bulldogs mentor Barrett on Monday.
Sport Confidential understands Warriors owner Mark Robinson met with Brown for urgent talks following the Warriors’ Magic Round loss to Souths on Saturday.
In recent days, Warriors CEO Cameron George also had a separate meeting with Brown’s assistants Stacey Jones and Justin Morgan, as well as head of football Craig Hodges.
There was no talk of mass sackings, but the message was resounding. The 11th-placed Warriors needed to improve quickly, or staffing changes would be inevitable.
Hodges insists there was no suggestion of Brown being axed, but the former Broncos under-20s coach said the Warriors need to lift - starting against Brown’s former club the Dragons this Saturday.
“It’s a performance-related industry, but there’s been no ultimatums or threats. Cameron is here in Australia and he is across everything that is happening,” Hodges said.
“Every club in the comp looks at performances and results. They (Warriors hierarchy) check in when things are going good, too, it’s not like this is a one-off meeting that has never happened before and it’s just happened after a couple of losses.
“That’s the advantage of having a single owner (Robinson) as opposed to a board. The single owner can get answers as to what’s happening, good or bad. He comes in and has a chat on what’s happening in several areas of the business, including recruitment and pathways.
“If we lost the next 15 games in a row, questions would be asked. But if we win the next 15 in a row, everyone is over the moon. There’s no knee-jerk reactions.”
Broncos blasted over Milf
Former Broncos coach Wayne Bennett has lashed Brisbane over their handling of Anthony Milford.
Milford has signed with the Knights after being shown the door by Kevin Walters at the end of last season and Bennett took aim at Brisbane hierarchy, claiming the Broncos did not stand by their $1 million playmaker.
“I saw Anthony play at Canberra,” recalled Bennett, who left Brisbane at the end of 2018. “I was coaching at the Knights and he beat us single-handedly. He was so good and I thought at some stage I would love to coach him, but I didn’t think I would ever get the chance.
“Then Anthony went to Brisbane, I finished up at Brisbane and the planets aligned.
“You have to understand what you are dealing with and the Broncos didn’t understand what they were dealing with.
“Anthony Milford and Kodi Nikorima were being developed to be the long-term halves for that club but Brisbane didn’t have the patience for that unfortunately.
“Kodi has now turned up at Souths and Anthony is at Newcastle. They are still so young. It’s tragic stuff.”
Milford is expected to join Bennett at the Dolphins next season.
Eye of the Tiger for Bennett
Wests Tigers are facing a battle to retain Jock Madden with the rookie playmaker shopped to Wayne Bennett to become the Dolphins’ foundation halfback.
Sports Confidential can reveal Dolphins coach Bennett has been offered the services of Madden, who is off-contract at season’s end and has yet to be offered a new deal by Tigers coach Michael Maguire.
Bennett will spend the next fortnight watching the performances of Madden before deciding whether to table a formal offer for the 22-year-old former Australian Schoolboys ace.
The Dolphins are running out of time to secure playmakers for their foundation season in 2023. They have secured rookie Penrith halfback Isaiya Katoa, but the teenager has yet to play NRL and Bennett is reluctant to throw him in the deep end.
Madden has played nine NRL games since his Tigers debut last season and has shown promise with his kicking game, vision and competitive edge. He is keen to cement the Tigers No.7 jumper, but could be lost to the Dolphins if the Tigers continue to deploy the maligned Luke Brooks or Jackson Hastings at halfback.
“He would certainly consider a move to Queensland,” said his manager Chris Orr of PSM.
“Jock just needs a team to give him the No.7 jersey. Now whether that’s going to be the Wests Tigers in due course or someone else, he needs a chance to be the seven and run a team. That’s what he wants to do.
“I’ve spoken to the Dolphins and they are watching Jock closely.”
Tommy Gun fires for Cowboys
The Broncos must be kicking themselves at the sight of Tom Dearden carving up in the Cowboys’ No.6 jumper. He could have been a handy five-eighth foil for Broncos’ champion halfback recruit Adam Reynolds.
Dearden left Brisbane midway through last season and has been a revelation in the Cowboys’ charge to third spot this year. Cowboys insiders are not surprised by Dearden’s fightback. They say the 21-year-old is one of the club’s hardest workers. He forensically studies footage of his opposition and is always asking Cowboys coaches for feedback on ways to improve.
He has also caught the eye of Queensland coach Billy Slater, who lauded Dearden’s attitude.
“Tom is playing a great brand of footy, he has been a breath of fresh air for Cowboys fans,” Slater said. “After everything he went through at Brisbane, it’s great to see him getting his confidence back. It’s nice to know he is a Queenslander.”
Fevola v Swan ready to rumble
Victorians are bracing for George Kambosos’ world-title defence at Marvel Stadium on June 5. But there is another marquee boxing event about to take place in Melbourne - a $500,000 fight night headlined by AFL legends Dane Swan and Brendan Fevola.
For the past 12 months Swan and Fevola have been linked with much-vaunted debuts in the ring. Those talks have previously collapsed. But now it’s on like Donkey Kong with retired AFL stars Swan and Fevola inking deals to swap the Sherrin for boxing gloves.
Sport Confidential understands Swan and Fevola are the main attractions for an AFL Legends Fight Night to be held in Melbourne later this year. A number of venues are being explored, including Margaret Court Arena.
Collingwood great Swan and controversial Carlton and Lions legend Fevola will not fight each other, with promoters in the advanced stages of lining up opponents for the big-name duo.
The 41-year-old Fevola has had a chequered career, while 258-game Magpies luminary Swan, 38, could pack a punch in the ring at 185cm and 93kg.
The AFL Legends Fight Night is expected to be held in the months after Kambosos’ unification showdown with Devin Haney at Marvel Stadium.
A new Huni on the block
First there was Justis Huni. Now another Huni is ready to make a mark on Australian boxing.
Buoyed by losing a staggering 56kg, former Australian amateur representative Hone Huni is back in business and will launch his professional career on the undercard of the Justis Huni-Joe Goodall blockbuster at Brisbane’s Nissan Arena on June 15.
The date is significant for it will be exactly five years to the day since Hone, the cousin of heavyweight kingpin Justis, quit boxing.
During his hiatus, Hone, now 25, admits he went off the rails. He suffered mental-health issues and binged on alcohol and junk food, with the talented middleweight ballooning to 136kg as Huni’s life spiralled out of control.
But the sight of Justis’ rise to win the Australian heavyweight title has ignited the fire in ‘Hurricane’ Huni, a two-time world championships representative who won 103 of his 118 amateur fights.
“When I walk into the ring on June 15, it will be five years since my last fight,” said Huni, who will debut against Queenslander Tom Wilkinson.
“As an amateur, I made the quarter finals in the youth world championships and I won a bronze medal for Australia at a Golden Gloves tournament in Serbia.
“But then I decided to give up on boxing. Things went bad for me mentally and I lost my love for the sport. I fell in love with drinking and eating a lot. I thought it was making me happy but the truth was I was really unhealthy.
“One year ago, I decided to make the change back to boxing. I have gone down from 136kg to 80kg and 72kg is my target weight.
“Justis is a massive inspiration for me. We are in the trenches together at training and seeing what he has achieved has given me that extra drive to get my career back on track.”
Justis’ father and trainer Rocki says Hone has the natural talent to make waves in the domestic middleweight division.
“We are hoping for big things from Hone, he is basically a smaller version of Justis Huni,” Rocki said.
“Once he gets down to the right weight, people who know boxing know he can fight. He is evasive and has good speed and footwork.
“Hone went through some tough times like many teenagers do, but he is starting to sharpen up again.”
Livermore Lecture’s twist
History will be made at the Ross Livermore Memorial Lecture on Saturday when former Jillaroo Jo Barrett becomes the first female to deliver the annual address.
Some of rugby league’s biggest names have delivered the Livermore Lecture, including Wayne Bennett, Michael Hagan, John Lang and last year’s special guest Wally ‘The King’ Lewis.
Now it is the turn of Barrett, a Queensland legend who was among the pioneers of women’s league. The Warwick whiz played seven seasons in Maroon and represented Australia in 2004 before moving into a commentary role on the NRLW for Channel 9.
The address will take place this Saturday at 10am at QUT Kelvin Grove. The Queensland Rugby League’s choice of Barrett reflects the growth of the women’s game in Australia in terms of playing numbers and public interest.
Maroon money surging
The impressive Magic Round performances of Queensland teams and players has had an impact on bookmakers with TAB reporting a significant plunge on the Maroons to win State of Origin.
Queensland are best backed to win the series opener despite being $3.25 outsiders to $1.35 favourites the Blues.
“At that price you expect punters taking the value but the money is clearly running Queensland’s way this far out,” said TAB’s Rohan Welsh.
“We’ve had one outlay of $13,000 on the Maroons to win Game One at $3.25, while margin betting is leaning towards a Maroons victory by 13+.
“Obviously the resurgent form of the Cowboys and the Broncos is playing a big part in that, along with the form of big guns like Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans and Harry Grant, plus the Blues are battling a few key injuries.”
SPOTTED
Broncos backrower Jordan Riki bumping into the Gold Coast Titans during a promotional event at Movie World on Tuesday. Riki was warmly embraced by ex-Brisbane teammate David Fifita.
Originally published as Sport Confidential: Knights blow Broncos out of water for NRLW stars Millie Boyle and Tamika Upton
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