Sport Confidential: Push for Broncos to hire Brent Tate as head of football, Xavier Coates’ brother Phillip signed by Brisbane
The departure of Kevin Walters from the Broncos has prompted the club to beef-up their front office, with a push for a Brisbane legend to be hired as their head of football. That and more in Sport Confidential.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Broncos have been urged to hire Brent Tate as their head of football as Brisbane CEO Dave Donaghy revealed the club has begun a search to bolster their front office.
Sport Confidential can reveal the Broncos have engaged a recruitment agency to identify a general manager of football to support new coach Michael Maguire, who took office on Wednesday.
The departure of Kevin Walters has prompted the Broncos to beef-up their front office with two appointments for Maguire’s football department.
One spot has been taken by Troy Thomson, a former staffer of Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga, as football manager and now the Broncos are on the hunt for the head of football role formerly held by Ben Ikin.
Ikin departed in 2023 following creative tensions with Walters, who chose not to appoint a replacement, but Brisbane’s collapse this season has laid bare the importance of a football boss to support the head coach.
Donaghy joined the Broncos from Melbourne, where Frank Ponissi has served Craig Bellamy as football boss for 17 years, and wants the same structure at Red Hill.
“We’ve gone to market for a head of football,” he said.
“We believe it’s an area we need to invest in with strong leadership around Michael to support the head coach.
“Troy will support Michael with the NRL operations and program, which is huge in itself.
“The GM (general manager) spreads across the entire football program – NRL, NRLW, academy programs, affiliate clubs, strong relationships with NRL game development and the QRL.
“It’s a core part of our business.”
NRL legend Scott Sattler, the Titans’ inaugural football manager, says Tate – who played 114 games for Brisbane and was part of their 2006 premiership win – is the perfect option.
“’Tatey’ should be Brisbane’s head of football,” he said.
“He has worked in the private sector outside of rugby league and has developed a great skill set.
“Aside from knowing football, he succeeded at all levels as a player, he is a proven winner and he has the strength of character to be a great head of football for ‘Madge’ (Maguire).
“I hope the Broncos consider him.”
BRONCOS SIGN COATES 2.0
The Broncos have signed the younger brother of Kangaroos and Maroons flyer Xavier Coates.
Phillip Coates caught the eye of keen observers when he turned out for the Junior Kumuls against Australian Schoolboys in PNG recently.
Phillip is a spitting image of his older brother, who has developed into one of the NRL’s top wingers at the Melbourne Storm over the past few years.
Xavier made his NRL debut for the Broncos in 2019 and played 32 games for Brisbane before being poached by Melbourne.
The Broncos are hoping the same doesn’t happen to Phillip, who is part of Brisbane’s junior academy and working towards the NRL.
A strapping centre, Phillip has been playing for Broncos affiliate Burleigh Bears and is on track to make his Hostplus Cup debut next year.
TITANS LOCKING UP TOP PROP
The Titans are closing in on a contract extension for promising rookie Josiah Pahulu.
Pahulu was by far and away Gold Coast’s best young forward this season and was crowned the club’s rookie of the year.
The Ipswich product stepped up in the absence of captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (knee), punching out 19 appearances in the front row in his debut NRL season.
At 20, Pahulu has a bright future ahead of him and has been selected in Samoa’s Test squad for the current series against England.
He is contracted to the Titans until the end of next year, making him a free agent from November 1.
The Titans are looking to ensure Pahulu doesn’t leave the Gold Coast.
BRONCOS GIVE EGG A CRACK
The Broncos have rewarded one of Queensland’s promising prospects with an opportunity at the NRL.
Souths Logan Magpies hooker Callum Eggerling will join Brisbane on a train and trial contract for the upcoming pre-season.
Eggerling, 22, spent most of the Hostplus Cup season playing as an interchange weapon for the Magpies, making 19 appearances.
The Broncos are stacked with dummy-half options in Billy Walters, Blake Mozer and Cory Paix, but saw enough in Eggerling to offer him a crack at the top grade.
He will join Redcliffe sensation Latrell Seigwalt as train-and-trial players looking to impress new coach Michael Maguire.
The first of the Broncos’ players are expected to start reporting for official pre-season training from next Friday.
The more experienced players are due back in the weeks after for what is expected to be a gruelling preparation under Maguire.
TEVITA’S FRENCH REVOLUTION
Tevita Pangai Jr’s colourful sporting journey continues with the Dolphins enforcer arriving in France on Wednesday.
From the Broncos, to the Bulldogs, to professional boxing and back to the NRL, Pangai Jr’s latest chapter has seen the well-travelled prop touch down in the Olympic city for his Super League stint.
Pangai Jr has joined French club Catalans and the Dragons hope he will provide better value than Roosters prop Siosiua Taukeiaho, who played just 10 games in an injury-riddled stint.
The Tongan torpedo has signed a one-year deal with Catalans with a view to a possible return to the NRL in 2026 with South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett.
Bennett wanted to sign Pangai Jr for the Bunnies next season but could not afford him due to the Rabbitohs’ salary-cap restrictions.
STAGGS PARTY FOR BRONCOS
Kotoni Staggs will not be leaving the Broncos.
That’s the view of new Broncos coach Michael Maguire who says the Kangaroos Test star is a key part of his plans to bring a premiership to Brisbane.
Staggs is off-contract next year, meaning he will officially be a free agent from November 1 on Friday week, opening the door for NRL rivals to launch big-money poaching raids.
Staggs is on $700,000 a season at the Broncos and could earn more than that if he went to the open market.
The Broncos have a conundrum, with Staggs’ centre partner Selwyn Cobbo also off-contract next year and there are doubts as to whether Brisbane can afford to keep both under the salary cap.
But Maguire vowed to do everything possible to keep former NSW Origin powerhouse Staggs, who had a fine 2024 campaign, in Broncos colours.
“I’ve spoken to Kotoni and really enjoyed the conversation,” he said.
“I had a close eye on Kotoni this year as NSW Origin coach, so I’ve got a connection there with him.
“First things first, I need to get to the Broncos and look at where we stand with the roster, but Kotoni is an elite player and he can play a big role for us.”
Staggs celebrates his 26th birthday this Tuesday and has developed into a respected leader at the club, being added to Brisbane’s senior player group.
BIG NAMES IN COFFS
A host of NRL greats were spotted in Coffs Harbour last weekend for the Oztag Junior Australian Championships.
Former Blues stars Andrew Ryan, Michael Ennis, Sean Timmins, Dale Finucane and Brett Kimmorley were among the spectators.
Current Roosters assistant coach Justin Holbrook was also in the crowd along with former Wallabies star Morgan Turinui.
Dolphins hit man Ray Stone was also in town during his NRL off-season.
More Coverage
Originally published as Sport Confidential: Push for Broncos to hire Brent Tate as head of football, Xavier Coates’ brother Phillip signed by Brisbane
Sport Con: Crisis averted as NRL shuts down breakaway threat
The NRL have shut down any fears of a breakaway competition for the next decade, as it closes in on a landmark licencing agreement with all 17 clubs. See the full SPORT CONFIDENTIAL.
Star spills the beans on $1m-a-year teammate
Roosters half Sam Walker has reportedly decided his immediate future after a star teammate appeared to spilled the beans.
$1.1 million man: Walker agrees to monster Roosters extension
Despite being ruled out for most of the 2025 season with an ACL injury, the Sydney Roosters halfback is set to become the code’s newest $1 million player after agreeing to an extension with the club.
UK film star’s surprise Rabbitohs link
Film star Stephen Fry boasts a collection of South Sydney Rabbitohs merch in his house, despite never having watched a game.
Cashed-up Bulldogs to break historic sponsorship barrier
Four years ago the Bulldogs were forced to play with a blank jersey as sponsors abandoned ship. But recent success has the club on the cusp of a massive milestone ahead of their 90th anniversary.
‘He underperformed’: Radley cops tough love from England coach
Victor Radley is used to inflicting brutal hits, but it was the Sydney Roosters star was on the receiving end of a bell ringer when he landed in England – and it was delivered by his own coach.