Xavier Coates report would bring Brisbane Broncos to their knees

A report surrounding a State of Origin star’s weekend travel has plunged the Broncos further into crisis after a year from hell.

Xavier Coates would be a hammer blow for the Broncos.

Broncos star Xavier Coates has toured the Storm’s facilities and is reportedly set to sign with Melbourne.

In another crushing blow to the Brisbane club, Coates was the biggest fish left on the Broncos’ retention list, behind only star centre Kotoni Staggs.

However, The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield revealed Monday Queensland State of Origin star Coates is about to jump ship, having first met with Storm coach Craig Bellamy last year.

Rothfield has told Sky Sports Radio Coates flew to Melbourne following Brisbane’s win over the Titans and toured club’s headquarters.

“They tell me he’s on the verge of signing with the Storm,” he said.

The Broncos did receive some very welcome news over the weekend with Parramatta reportedly pulling out of the war for Staggs’ signature.

It was reported Staggs’ decision to stay with the Broncos is a “fait accompli”.

He is reportedly only waiting to see who the club is able to sign to play at halfback next year after Tom Dearden’s decision to sign with the Cowboys and reports Anthony Milford won’t be offered a contract extension.

Staggs is reportedly set for a move to five-eighth next year.

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Xavier Coates is the perfect replacement for Josh Addo-Carr in Melbourne.

It comes after the Broncos reportedly withdrew their interest in Eels star Mitchell Moses.

The Broncos appear at sixes and sevens after reports on Friday coach Kevin Walters was preparing to fly to Sydney to put a $2 million offer on the table to Rabbitohs playmaker Adam Reynolds. The club was reportedly prepared to also offer Reynolds the captaincy of the club.

It has also been speculated the Broncos are keeping their eyes on Manly star Daly Cherry-Evans and have interest in Cronulla star Shaun Johnson.

Reynolds was earlier this week reported to have received a rich offer from Cronulla and was set to accept the $2.4 million deal.

Moses, meanwhile, is set to re-sign with the Eels.

And then there was one.

For now though, the is only pain for the Broncos — and their under-fire recruitment and retention committee.

The club’s plans for beyond 2021 are in disarray.

Halfback Dearden announced his decision to join the Cowboys recently.

The Broncos reportedly focused on keeping Dearden at the expense of boom playmaker Sam Walker – and have had to wear the black eye of watching Walker tearing it up for the Roosters this season.

Between star forward David Fifita, Walker, and young talent Reece Walsh — Coates would be another indictment on the club’s recruitment group, made up of recruitment boss Peter Nolan, club legend Darren Lockyer and new chief executive Dave Donaghy.

The Broncos were reportedly privately “filthy” after losing teenage sensation Walsh to the Warriors.

David Fifita has been the best forward in the NRL this season.

Reece Walsh was another to flee the Broncos.

Rothfield questioned the Broncos recruitment committee after “really, really poor recruitment” in recent years.

Walters has made no attempt to hide the fact that he wants to recruit an established, star halfback for the 2022 season.

Walters has failed to pull the club out of its downwards spiral since taking over as coach and the club’s playmaking combinations have been a complete mess with Brodie Croft, Milford and Dearden all struggling.

A report last week revealed the depth of the Broncos struggles, including damning details surrounding Fifita's decision to join the Titans last year.

The report details how a Brisbane teammate told Fifita to accept the Titans’ deal under the evidence that he would develop quicker through the Titans’ system under coach Justin Holbrook.