Brisbane Broncos’ development players revealed for 2026: Phillip Coates, brother of Xavier, secures contract
Another famous surname has emerged from Brisbane’s talent factory, with the brother of a State of Origin star headlining the list of players securing development contracts with the Broncos in 2026.
Another famous surname has emerged from Brisbane’s talent factory with the brother of Queensland Origin star Xavier Coates joining the Broncos’ NRL squad.
Code Sports can reveal teenage sensation Phillip Coates is one of five players who have secured development contracts to be part of Brisbane’s premiership defence in 2026.
Coates joins rising prop Va’a Semu, promising hooker Cameron Bukowski, back-rower Jared Horne and late-blooming front-rower Ben Talty on Brisbane’s list of development players.
Each NRL club is permitted to have six players on ‘dev’ deals to supplement the 30 top-liners on full-time contracts, effectively giving the 17 franchises a squad of 36.
The Broncos still have one development-contract vacancy for 2026.
Xavier Coates, 24, made his top-grade debut for the Broncos in 2019, playing 32 games for the club before moving in 2022 to the Storm, where he has been a revelation, scoring 62 tries from 76 matches.
Now Broncos coach Michael Maguire has high hopes for his 19-year-old brother Phillip, who is a dead ringer for the Maroons flyer with his tall, lean and athletic frame.
The well-oiled Broncos Academy has produced a generation of NRL stars, including Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan, Kotoni Staggs, Ezra Mam, Selwyn Cobbo, Herbie Farnworth and fullback golden boy Reece Walsh.
Broncos recruitment boss Simon Scanlan ran the rule over Brisbane’s next crop of development players as the club chases back-to-back premierships in 2026.
PHILLIP COATES
The rangy Coates was named for the Maroons’ under-19s this season and has caught the eye in the Queensland system with his damaging performances for Souths Logan and Burleigh Bears.
The Currumbin Eagles junior had a taste of NRL training this year and has won a promotion with an $80,000 development deal under Broncos coach Maguire, who believes he has what it takes to emulate his brother Xavier.
Like Xavier, Coates has represented the Junior Kumuls and is on track for NRL stardom.
“Phil has recently transitioned from junior football and is at the beginning of his rugby league journey,” Scanlan said.
“He is a big, strong, physical outside back and Phil possesses excellent aerial ability and strength out wide.
“We’re looking forward to seeing him gain valuable Queensland Cup experience next season.”
BEN TALTY
Talty was one of the fairytale stories of the 2025 NRL season. A mid-season recruit from the North Sydney Bears, Talty joined the Broncos just before the June 30 transfer deadline and became a popular member of the NRL squad.
The 26-year-old Newcastle junior made his Broncos debut in July in a dream campaign that saw him play 10 games and feature in Brisbane’s epic preliminary final defeat of the Panthers.
Likened in stature to Broncos front-row legend Andrew Gee, Talty went so close to a grand-final call-up, named 18th man for Brisbane’s premiership defeat of the Storm. He is eyeing more game time next season.
“Ben has been an excellent addition to our squad since joining midway through the 2025 season,” Scanlan said.
“A highly committed and motivated mature-age player, he’s brought a new dimension to our attacking game and continues to set high standards for himself and his teammates.”
VA’A SEMU
Rated a Payne Haas clone, the raw-boned prop has played 33 Queensland Cup games for feeder-club Souths Logan over the past two seasons.
Semu went within a whisker of making his NRL debut under former Broncos coach Kevin Walters in 2024 and while he didn’t play for the Broncos this year under Maguire, the 110kg hitman isn’t far away.
Still only 21, the 195cm front-rower is contracted to the Broncos until the end of 2027 and is tipped to make his NRL debut next year.
“VJ is a hardworking young middle forward currently developing his game in the Queensland Cup competition,” Scanlan said.
“A player of great character, he consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn and improve.”
JARED HORNE
The Wavell High product is a super talent with brilliant footwork and the ability to hurt opponents in defence.
Horne was so talented he played Allan Langer Cup as a year 10 student and the classy lock or back-rower is earmarked to play Queensland Cup next season in his dream to play NRL for the Broncos.
“Jared is a naturally gifted footballer who plays in the back row,” Scanlan said.
“He is currently recovering from a knee injury and is focused on making his Queensland Cup debut in 2026.”
CAMERON BUKOWSKI
Brisbane’s hooking logjam has intensified with Bukowski banging down the door for NRL selection.
The rugged 20-year-old played for Queensland’s under-19s side in 2024 and will be turning up the heat on Brisbane’s NRL hookers Billy Walters, Blake Mozer and Cory Paix in 2026.
Bukowski scored seven tries from 23 appearances for feeder-club Wynnum Manly this season and it appears only a matter of time before he wears Broncos colours.
“Cam is a promising young hooker who has gained invaluable experience throughout the 2025 Queensland Cup season,” Scanlan said.
“He’s a dedicated young man with an outstanding attitude and work ethic.”
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