NRL 2024: Allan Langer weighs up Broncos future, Phil Gould dropped from Channel 9 grand final coverage | Sport Confidential

Broncos bosses have appealed for Allan Langer not to walk away from Red Hill, as the club legend weighs up his future following the shock sacking of Kevin Walters. See the full SPORT CONFIDENTIAL.

Broncos bosses have appealed for Allan Langer not to walk away as Brisbane consider another role for the club legend.

Rated the greatest Bronco by Wayne Bennett, Langer is weighing up his future with the club in the wake of the sacking of coach Kevin Walters, his good mate and former halves partner.

Langer is using a family holiday to assess whether he will hit the Red Hill exits and Broncos chiefs are keen to meet with ‘Alfie’ in the coming weeks to clarify his position moving forward.

Langer is adored by players because of his happy-go-lucky, larrikin demeanour and he has been running water on the field as a Broncos trainer for the best part of 20 years.

Allan Langer has been a trainer at the Broncos for the best part of 20 years. But that time could be coming to an end. Picture: Getty Images

Because of his iconic status, Langer effectively has a job for life at the Broncos and it’s understood the 58-year-old is leaning towards staying on at Brisbane, especially given that Walters has been retained as a club ambassador.

But Langer could be deployed in a different role. Instead of working with the playing group as a trainer and assistant coach, Langer could shift into a corporate role serving the club’s army of sponsors.

Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy has enormous respect for Langer and is determined not to lose the spiritual figure, who was sounded out two years ago by Bennett’s Dolphins.

“We will always value what Alfie has done for the Broncos and we want to keep him here for life,” Donaghy said.

“Hopefully he feels the same way.”

Langer (left) is weighing up his future at the club after the sacking of Kevin Walters (right). Picture: David Clark

Langer has strong support from the playing group. Skipper Adam Reynolds is one of Langer’s biggest fans and admits the prospect of working closely with one of the finest halfbacks the code has ever seen was a major attraction in joining the Broncos.

Langer is also a calming presence for Broncos players with his on-field messages. New Broncos coach Michael Maguire said he wanted to meet with Langer in the hope of keeping him at the club.

“I’ve got to talk to Alf,” Maguire said.

“I’d really like Alf (to stay).

“I’ve had a fair bit of time with Alf, and I think we all like Alf. So I want to see what he wants to do with himself and work out where he fits in.

“I’ll definitely have those conversations with Alf for sure.”

Broncos bosses are keen to meet with Langer (right) in the coming weeks to clarify his future at the club. Picture: NRL Imagery

GUS COPS CURTAIN RAISER

The most powerful voice in rugby league has been overlooked by Channel 9 for Sunday night’s NRL grand final coverage.

Phil Gould has been bumped down the pecking order to providing expert commentary for the State Championship grand final.

“Gus” won’t be part of Nine’s coverage for the premiership decider between Melbourne and Penrith nor the Roosters-Sharks NRLW final.

Instead, he will be part of the commentary team for the battle between the Newton Jets and Norths Devils – NSW and Queensland’s top reserve grade clubs.

Nine has opted to go with Blues legend Andrew Johns and Queensland Origin coach Billy Slater as its expert commentators alongside caller Mat Thompson for the NRL grand final while Brad Fittler and Danika Mason will conduct sideline duties.

Phil Gould has been dropped from Channel 9’s grand final coverage. Picture: Getty Images

A former Penrith employee, Gould was accused of biased commentary during the 2020 decider between the Panthers and Storm, which he refuted.

The versatile Brenton Speed will call the NRLW final alongside Ruan Sims, Johnathan Thurston, Allana Ferguson and Marlee Silva.

Gould will be part of the State Championship commentary team alongside Queensland caller Peter Psaltis, Cameron Smith, Darren Lockyer and Silva.

Gould is arguably the game’s most influential character whose opinions carry enormous weight.

However he has been relegated to the first curtain-raiser for the biggest day on the NRL calendar.

BRONCOS SKIPPER’S PLEA

Adam Reynolds is determined to fight for the Broncos captaincy amid calls for him to be sacked as Brisbane skipper.

New Broncos coach Michael Maguire started on Tuesday and will put the entire football department under the microscope ahead of Brisbane’s 2025 pre-season in early November.

Broncos legend Gorden Tallis has called for Reynolds to be dumped in favour of deputy Pat Carrigan, but the champion halfback says would relish leading Brisbane in the Maguire era in 2025.

Adam Reynolds says he will fight for the Broncos captaincy amid calls for him to be sacked as skipper. Picture: Getty Images

Asked if he wants to keep the captaincy, Reynolds said: “Yes, 100 per cent.

“I love the battle, the mental side of things as well. When the team’s not going well, everything’s going to fall on the halfback and the captain.

“If the club or the coach wants me to be the captain next year, I’m more than happy to continue in the job.

“But whether I have the ‘C’ next to my name, not much changes. I’d still be just as vocal and have a large input into the game plan and all those sorts of things.

“I do enjoy it, so we’ll see what happens.”

SPOTTED

AFL superstar Bailey Smith pumping iron in a Gold Coast gym this week after deciding to leave the Western Bulldogs.

KEVVIE’S ROLLERCOASTER DAY

To say last Thursday was a rollercoaster for former Broncos coach Kevin Walters would be an understatement.

Walters enjoyed a succulent Chinese meal in Brisbane with his incoming assistant coaches Ben Te’o and Trent Barrett on Wednesday night.

On Thursday, the horse he co-owns with Allan Langer and a bunch of other Broncos figures won its first race.

Six More Songs galloped to victory in race two at Ipswich, paying $4.10 on the tote and picking up $16,800 in prize money.

It was the three-year-old filly’s second start and first since February when she finished fourth on debut.

But Walters’ joy was short-lived.

Less than five hours later he was summoned to a meeting with Broncos bosses and told he would no longer be coaching the team.

Kevin Walters was on top of the world last Thursday. But his joy was short-lived, after being summoned to a meeting with Broncos bosses. Picture: Getty Images

PHINS UP FOR MILFORD

Anthony Milford’s NRL career may not be dead and buried after all.

There were fears Milford would be squeezed out by the Dolphins but Brisbane’s former $1 million man has been thrown a lifeline by Wayne Bennett’s successor Kristian Woolf.

Milford was outstanding at the back end of the season for Redcliffe in the Queensland Cup, prompting the Dolphins to table a 12-month extension for the Samoan World Cup playmaker.

Milford has yet to sign the deal and is weighing up offers from the English Super League before making a final decision.

Just turned 30, Milford is young enough to play at least another three years of NRL, but the 219-game veteran fell out of favour this season, playing just two first grade games for the Dolphins.

Anthony Milford’s NRL career appeared over, but he has been thrown a lifeline by new Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf. Picture: Getty Images

TITAN’S NEW DEAL

Titans forward Klese Haas has put a topsy-turvy season behind him by securing a three-year contract extension at the Gold Coast.

Haas will remain at the Titans until at least 2027 after being handed a new deal by coach Des Hasler.

The younger brother of Broncos star Payne Haas, Klese started the season in great form but his performances dipped in the second half of the year.

Klese Haas from the Titans first trial against the Dolphins 2024. Picture: NRL Imagery

Hasler saw enough in Haas, who came off-contract at the end of 2024, to extend his stay at the club.

Hasler has been on a signing spree, also locking up hardworking forward Chris Randall until 2027 this week.

PROP HOLDS MANLY TO RANSOM

Tongan Test star Siosiua Taukeiaho’s rumoured move to Manly has collapsed after a dispute over his contract value.

The Sea Eagles were keen on signing Taukeiaho for next season but it’s understood the former Roosters premiership prop was seeking around $500,000 a season.

Manly have walked away from a deal with Siosiua Taukeiaho, leaving the former Rooster in limbo. Picture: NRL Imagery

Manly could not afford that figure under the salary cap and have walked away from the deal, leaving the goalkicking prop in limbo.

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo remains interested in signing the 32-year-old bookend, who is keen to return to the NRL after an injury-plagued stint at French club Catalans Dragons.

Taukeiaho was due to turn out for Canterbury this season, only for the deal to fall through after he failed a medical.

HARRY’S MARATHON EFFORT

Australia’s Olympic boxer Harry Garside is an impressive athlete.

The Tokyo bronze medallist may have bombed out in the opening round in Paris in heartbreaking fashion, but Garside quickly overcame the tears to compete in the Sydney marathon a fortnight ago.

Renowned for his fast hands and flash feet as a boxer, Garside produced a remarkable run, clocking a sub-3 marathon on debut in a time of two hours and 55 minutes.

“My training was about a month of eating bad food and some beers post-Paris,” Garside said with a laugh.

“I did the occasional relaxing run but nothing too intense.

“It was an amazing experience.”