Anthony Seibold confident recruit Brodie Croft can lead Broncos forward
Brodie Croft has been released from his Storm contract, paving the way for a move to Brisbane — but it leaves another player fighting for his Broncos future.
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Broncos coach Anthony Seibold has backed Brodie Croft to step up and deliver in Brisbane’s No. 7 jersey after finally securing the Junior Kangaroos halfback.
Croft officially signed a three-year deal with the Broncos on Friday which will see him join the club immediately from the Melbourne Storm.
Croft is expected to appear at Broncos training on Monday, the first session Brisbane’s entire top squad will be present for.
The signing of Croft is expected to be followed by the transfer of Broncos centre Gehamat Shibasaki to Newcastle.
As it stands, the Broncos have 31 players contracted for their top 30 squad and must clear one player to accommodate the arrival of Croft.
Croft, 22, will get first crack at Brisbane’s No. 7 jersey, a position the Broncos have struggled to fill since Ben Hunt’s move to the Dragons at the end of 2017.
Croft has played 39 NRL games since debuting in 2016 and Seibold believes the Queensland product’s best football is ahead of him.
“We are bringing Brodie home to Queensland and giving him the opportunity to represent our club and the club he grew up supporting,” he said.
“Brodie has performed at an elite level throughout the various stages of his development and even as recent as last month represented the Junior Kangaroos under-23s team.
“I believe Brodie is ready to step up as a leader and key position player at the Broncos after learning his craft in Melbourne. He experienced a grand final in 2018 and is at an age where he is ready to lead a team around the park.
“Brodie gives us depth in the halfback position and he, Anthony Milford and Tom Dearden are players we believe can have a strong influence in what we do in season 2020 and beyond.”
Dearden, 18, debuted in the NRL last season but only lasted five matches before injury struck.
Croft featured in 22 of Melbourne’s 24 regular season games in 2019 but was dropped for the Storm’s entire finals campaign.
A product of Dalby and Toowoomba, Croft was overlooked by Broncos scouts and spent five years in Melbourne’s system.
He was released by the Storm with one year to go on his contract in order for Melbourne to become salary cap compliant for 2020.
Broncos CEO Paul White said he was pleased to bring Croft back to Queensland.
“Brodie comes from a good system and has played a few seasons of NRL football and that is important for our club,” he said.
“We have been very clear that we were looking to go to market to strengthen our spine and the signing of Brodie ticks that box.
“He also shows leadership potential, having been vice captain of the Australian under-23s last month, and is a fine young man off the field.
“Brodie wants to be a Bronco and is a proud Queenslander - and we are really happy to be able to be bring him home.”
Originally published as Anthony Seibold confident recruit Brodie Croft can lead Broncos forward