Kobe Hetherington signs one-year extension with Brisbane Broncos
The Broncos have added another key member to the club’s aggressive recruitment-and-retention spree, staving off interest from rivals to secure a key middle forward.
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The Broncos have ramped-up their $4 million retention drive with Brisbane staving off poaching raids to retain Queensland Origin hopeful Kobe Hetherington.
This masthead can reveal Hetherington has agreed to terms on a new deal with the Broncos ahead of Friday night’s clash against the Eels at Suncorp Stadium.
The son of Queensland Origin legend Jason Hetherington has inked a one-year extension to ensure he will remain at the Broncos in 2026 in his quest to win a maiden premiership ring at Red Hill.
Brisbane bosses have launched an aggressive recruitment-and-retention spree over the past nine months since the appointment of coach Michael Maguire as Kevin Walters’ successor.
The Broncos handed Reece Walsh a $4.4 million upgrade last October, extended star duo Adam Reynolds and Kotoni Staggs last month and signed Storm flyer Grant Anderson for next season.
Meanwhile, Brisbane have also rewarded rising stars Blake Mozer, Josiah Karapani and Gehamat Shibasaki, the reborn centre who made a remarkable Origin debut for Queensland a fortnight ago.
Now the Broncos have moved to secure Hetherington, who has played a key role in helping Brisbane to five consecutive wins during an Origin period that left Maguire without first-choice lock Pat Carrigan.
Hetherington had interest from the Wests Tigers and Dragons and was close to quitting the club in pre-season, only for Maguire to urge the tough-tackling utility forward to stay loyal to Brisbane.
The 26-year-old has stepped up, playing all 17 games so far this season, and goes into the Eels clash buoyed by the knowledge his future at the Broncos is secure for another 12 months.
“It’s a great result,” said Hetherington’s manager Chris Haddad.
“Kobe is happy at the Broncos, so we were happy to extend for one year and we’ll see what happens after that.
“The Broncos offered us a two-year deal but we were happy to do another 12 months and Kobe will keep testing and challenging himself.
“He could have left the Broncos. Several Sydney clubs were keen on Kobe, but when we sat down with ‘Madge’ (Maguire), he wanted a chance to work with Kobe and he is enjoying being coached by Madge.
“We’re glad to have his future sorted. Kobe can relax now and focus on playing well for the Broncos in the run to the finals.”
The Broncos are battling salary-cap pressures but were always hopeful of keeping Hetherington, who plays his 96th top-grade game this week.
With Hetherington secured, Brisbane will now move to retain off-contract prop Corey Jensen and hooker Cory Paix, who remains in limbo.
The Broncos have managed to string together a five-game winning streak through the traditionally challenging Origin period which has crippled many Brisbane premiership charges over the years.
While pack leaders Payne Haas and Carrigan were on Origin duty, the likes of Xavier Willison, Hetherington and Jensen stood up and led the Broncos superbly through the middle.
Queensland and Test lock Carrigan says his No.13 understudy Hetherington is a key member of Brisbane’s top 17 as they shoot for their first title since 2006.
“Guys like Corey Jensen and Kobe Hetherington’s been unreal,” Carrigan said.
“That next-man-up mentality has been awesome to see and I know the boys are really thriving off that energy.
“Competition for spots here is probably what’s driven our form during this period and leading into the back end of the year
“No-one’s really safe apart from the skipper (Reynolds) and if that quality comes to our training every day then the quality of our performance is going to increase, too.
“I’m just excited to build it into the end of the year with the whole squad that we’ve got because there’s plenty of talent.”
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Originally published as Kobe Hetherington signs one-year extension with Brisbane Broncos
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