Brisbane Broncos hand Josh Rogers a two-year contract, big changes ahead of Dragons clash

The Brisbane Broncos have finalised their roster, promoting late-blooming playmaker Josh Rogers with a two-year deal. See all the latest team news ahead of Saturday night’s Suncorp showdown.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 09: Josh Rogers passes the ball during a Brisbane Broncos NRL Captain's Run at Clive Berghofer Field on May 09, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Josh Rogers has clinched a two-year extension with the Broncos as the late-blooming playmaker looks to ease Brisbane’s scrumbase crisis in Saturday night’s clash against the Dragons.

With a staggering 13 top-liners sidelined, the injury and Origin-hit Broncos are banking on the unheralded Rogers to keep their finals hopes alive against the Red V at Suncorp Stadium.

Rogers has been handed the No. 7 jumper following the demise of Jock Madden, who tweaked his hamstring in last week’s loss to Penrith, just eight weeks after first-choice halfback Adam Reynolds tore his biceps.

Rogers is the centrepiece of a reconfigured Broncos team that will see Tyson Smoothy start at lock, young gun hooker Blake Mozer added to the bench and unknown front-row giant Va’a Semu named 18th man.

The 27-year-old has been rewarded for his impressive form in the Queensland Cup, with Rogers signing until the end of 2026 and clinching the last full-time spot on Brisbane’s 30-man roster this season.

Josh Rogers training with the Broncos at Clive Berghofer Field. Picture: Getty Images

The Perth-born playmaker started the 2024 season on a Broncos development deal but won a promotion to a full-time contract ahead of the NRL’s June 30 transfer cut-off.

Rogers, who made his NRL debut last year, has played two NRL games for the Broncos, combining strongly with Ezra Mam in Brisbane’s 30-14 drubbing of the Eels in round 10.

Now the Broncos are hoping the Mam-Rogers scrumbase alliance can dispose of the Dragons as Brisbane look to snap a five-game losing streak without Origin stars Pat Carrigan, Payne Haas, Selwyn Cobbo and Reece Walsh.

Grand-final back-rower Jordan Riki, returning this week from suspension, said Rogers thoroughly deserved his new deal at the Broncos.

“I love Josh Rogers,” Riki said.

“He is a big body who can throw his body around as well.

“He did an exceptional job in the Parramatta game.

“It is hugely unlucky and terrible that Jock had that hamstring injury but here at the club we have a next-man-up mentality and I know Josh could step into that role and do a great job.

“I have been practising with him on the kick-chase. It will be massive and beneficial for the team if I can get down there and keep them in their red line.”

Josh Rogers celebrates with friends and family after his NRL debut in round 27, 2023.

In a boost for the Broncos, strike centre Kotoni Staggs returns after missing last week’s clash for personal reasons, while rising prop Xavier Willison will start alongside Corey Jensen in the engine room.

At 194cm and 110kg, Souths Logan rookie prop Semu is almost as big as Payne Haas and is on standby as 18th man should Brisbane need to activate their emergency player.

“He is exciting,” Riki said of Semu.

“He is a big boy and pretty similar to Xavier Willison … big, fast and strong. He carries the ball strong. He doesn’t say much but gets on with his job and works hard for the boys.

“I would be really excited for him to put the Broncos jersey on.”

Former Queensland under-19s hooker Mozer plays his third NRL game for the Broncos on a bench comprising Kobe Hetherington, Josiah Karapani and Martin Taupau.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters has exhausted all his options in the 30-man top squad, underlining the injury crisis at Red Hill.

“It has been a hard couple of weeks for us boys with injuries,” Riki said.

“But there is a lot of trust in our group and I trust the young boys coming through to get the job done.”