Sport Confidential: Broncos set to wear surnames on jerseys v Warriors, salary cap auditor set to scrutinise Adam Reynolds’ deal
It’s a throwback to the Super League days of 1997 for the Broncos, with the current players set to follow legends of that era by having their surnames on their jerseys. Find out why, plus more in Sport Confidential.
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The Broncos will feature player surnames on their jerseys for the first time in almost 30 years thanks to the New Zealand government’s advertising legislation.
Brisbane have been banned from having their sponsor, The Star Casino, appearing on their jerseys for Saturday night’s clash against the Warriors in Auckland.
With NZ’s laws preventing promotion of gaming, the Broncos have decided to fill the space by featuring the surnames of Brisbane players.
It is a throwback to the Super League days of 1997, when legendary names such as Renouf, Langer, Walters, Lazarus, Thorn and Tallis adorned Brisbane’s playing kit.
The NZ gaming ban represents a golden opportunity for Brisbane’s Kiwi contingent to honour their families by running out with their surnames splashed across their jumper.
New Zealand Test star Jordan Riki returns from suspension, while superstar fullback Reece Walsh, prop Xavier Willison and winger Jesse Arthars also have Kiwi blood.
“It’s going to be a special thing for me to be able to return and play in front of my family,” said Riki, who has secured 30 tickets for his family.
“There’ll be a full crew of Rikis there so I’m hugely excited to get home and play on home soil and represent my family.”
AFL’S AMBUSHES NRL’S MAGIC
The AFL is attempting to ambush the NRL’s Magic Round with a blockbuster Queensland derby.
The Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns are the AFL’s only unbeaten teams after the first five rounds of the premiership.
The Lions have got off to a flying start in their premiership defence while Damien Hardwick has got the Suns showing promising signs, albeit following a soft draw to start the year.
The NRL will take over Brisbane in a fortnight with Magic Round to be held at Suncorp Stadium from May 2-4.
And the AFL is hoping to piggyback on the NRL’s success after scheduling its Q-Clash between the Lions and Suns the same weekend.
As the Storm and Raiders close out Magic Round on the Sunday night at 6.35pm, the Lions and Suns will go head-to-head at the Gabba from 7.20pm.
They’ll mostly attract different crowds but it’s a strange scheduling choice by the AFL when the NRL will be the talk of the town in Brisbane.
REYNOLDS CONTRACT TO BE SCRUTINISED
The NRL salary cap auditor is set to scrutinise Adam Reynolds’ next Broncos deal, with the Brisbane skipper considering a $250,000 pay cut to play on next season.
As first revealed by this masthead, Reynolds is weighing up playing on for the Broncos in 2026 in a move that will have major ramifications for Brisbane’s salary cap position.
The Broncos weren’t budgeting for Reynolds to be on deck next year, but his retirement backflip will have Brisbane’s bean counters frantically crunching the numbers under the salary cap.
Any new 12-month extension for Reynolds, who is a free agent going into Saturday’s clash against the Warriors, must first be approved by the NRL’s salary cap department.
NRL salary cap auditors will note Reynolds’ value has gradually been dropping at Red Hill.
What they must decide is how far his wage can plummet before the Broncos ring salary cap alarm bells.
The skipper’s original three-year deal following his move from Souths was worth $800,000 annually, but Reynolds is on around $550,000 this season after inking a one-year extension for 2025.
It is understood Brisbane could only afford around $300,000 under the salary cap should Reynolds wish to back up in 2026.
While the champion halfback is open to the prospect of a pay cut to remain at the Broncos, one final impediment will be the NRL’s salary cap cops.
Under salary cap rules, the NRL has the power to block registering a contract if they deem the nominated salary does not match the player’s status in the code.
As a premiership winner, ex-Origin player and 14-year veteran of 294 games, Reynolds could be valued higher than $300,000 by the NRL.
The NRL was reportedly prepared to register a $400,000 deal for Daly Cherry-Evans next season, but even that figure could be prohibitive for the Broncos under the salary cap in 2026.
Broncos legend Darren Lockyer, part of Brisbane’s recruitment-and-retention committee, admits the club could have salary cap problems trying to keep Reynolds.
Asked by Phil Gould on Channel 9 if Brisbane hadn’t budgeted to keep Reynolds in 2026, Lockyer said: “No, but he is the type of player you’d have to change course, change plans for.
“He indicated that this was going to be his last year, but he’s changed his mind. He’s entitled to do that. Only he can judge whether he knows if he can perform at this level.”
The Broncos have 13 players coming off-contract this season, including Reynolds, and may have to jettison several top-liners to be salary cap compliant.
Fletcher Baker, Jock Madden, Jack Gosiewski and Martin Taupau are just some Broncos in the firing line if Reynolds soldiers on.
“I don’t view it as my last year,” Reynolds exclusively told Sport Confidential last month.
“I do know that if I prepare the best I can each and every game to go out and play the footy I know I’m capable of, then I’ll give myself an opportunity to get another contract.
“The priority would be to stay here.
“I love the game. The game’s given me so much. I want to keep playing, I want to keep performing and as long as I can do my job to the ability I know I can, I’ll continue to play.”
MOLO’S DOLPHINS SETBACK
It’s funny how quickly your fortunes can change in the NRL.
The Dolphins desperately signed disgruntled Dragons prop Frank Molo a few weeks ago as they struggled with a lack of punch in the midfield early in the season.
With Kangaroos prop Tom Flegler still out of action, coach Kristian Woolf threw Molo a lifeline and brought him to Redcliffe as the Dolphins slumped to four straight losses.
But now the ex-Maroons forward can’t get into the Dolphins’ best 17 following back-to-back wins against the Titans and Panthers.
Things have clicked at Redcliffe and the Dolphins look like a different team all of a sudden.
The arrival of some competition in Molo has sparked the talented, yet erratic, Josh Kerr, who has been in sublime touch.
Molo, who arrived at the Dolphins not ready to play NRL after refusing to train with the Dragons for two months, has spent the past two weeks playing for the CQ Capras in the Hostplus Cup, managing 37 and 43 minutes.
He’s now waiting for an injury to get into the top team.
CRISIS TALKS FOR FOGARTY
Canberra will meet Jamal Fogarty’s management on the Gold Coast amid speculation the halfback is poised to quit the Raiders.
Sport Confidential can reveal Raiders coach Ricky Stuart will hold talks with Fogarty’s agent Tas Bartlett in the lead-up to Canberra’s clash against the Titans on Sunday.
The Raiders had until round 6 to activate a 12-month extension in Fogarty’s contract but opted not to do so, making the 31-year-old a free agent heading into the Titans showdown.
Fogarty has been linked with Manly, who are armed with a two-year deal as the Sea Eagles search for a replacement for departing skipper Daly Cherry-Evans.
Fogarty’s preference is to remain at the Raiders and his future at Canberra could hinge on promising talks between Bartlett and Stuart.
Stuart has said he won’t stand in the way if Fogarty, currently on $650,000, can get a better deal elsewhere.
It is understood the Raiders are open to keeping Fogarty, but they want him at a cheaper rate than his original 12-month extension option, which was worth around $675,000.
In February, Bartlett said the Beaudesert product would head to the open market if Canberra baulked at upgrading Fogarty on a new deal for 2026 and beyond.
“Jamal would love to stay with the Raiders,” Bartlett said.
“He has a deep appreciation for the club and the community.
“However, rugby league is ultimately a business, and things don’t always go the way we hope.
“Quality halfbacks are rare in the game, and experience is what sets the best apart.”
MADGE’S CALL ON GALVIN
Broncos coach Michael Maguire has ruled out making a play for Lachlan Galvin as the Tigers young gun weighs up his next move.
Galvin dropped a bombshell earlier this week when he revealed he would not stay at the Tigers when his current deal expires at the end of 2026.
That is the year in which the Broncos must make some big decisions about their scrumbase.
Skipper and halfback Adam Reynolds, off-contract this year, is keen to play on in 2026, while halves partner Ben Hunt’s Broncos deal expires next season.
Meanwhile, Reynolds’ long-time understudy, Jock Madden, is also off-contract at the end of 2026.
Both Reynolds and Hunt will almost certainly be retired by 2027, but Maguire, the former Wests Tigers coach, insists he won’t be using their money to chase Galvin.
“I’m focused on our team,” Maguire said.
“I know people love to talk about players and recruitment but I’m happy with the guys we’ve got.
“Do you think we can realistically fit him (Galvin) in? I’m focused on our guys, it will be interesting to see where he ends up.
“We all plan long-term but finding that sort of money for a young playmaker, that’s not something I’m worried about.”
Brisbane chiefs are confident in their succession plan. Teenage halfback Coby Black will be 21 in 2027, while grand-final five-eighth Ezra Mam is on Brisbane’s books until 2029 after inking a five-year upgrade.
QRL BOSS BACKS RADLEY
QRL chief executive Ben Ikin has called for ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys to allow Roosters enforcer Victor Radley to play State of Origin.
As the code’s representative eligibility debate rages, Ikin says the State of Origin rules should be tweaked to allow Radley to be available for NSW this season.
Under the current Origin eligibility rules, Radley is banned from the Origin arena because he has represented England, a tier-one rival to Australia.
State of Origin was historically regarded as a selection trial for the Australian team.
But Queensland Rugby League boss Ikin says Radley should still be eligible for the Blues given that the Roosters lock was born in Sydney and played junior football in the Roosters system.
“Victor Radley should be allowed to play Origin,” Ikin said.
“His parents have English heritage, but if Victor is born in NSW, he should be eligible for the Blues.
“James Graham and Sam Burgess (English Test greats) were born overseas so it doesn’t open the door for those who transfer to the NRL in the middle of their NRL careers.
“I think the two - eligibility for Origin and international teams - are almost mutually exclusive.
“To be able to play Origin and for a nation other than Australia, you need to have learnt your trade here in NSW or Queensland.
“In the case of Victor Radley, he started his league journey in NSW.”
KING-SIZED COWBOY
The Cowboys are eyeing off Roosters utility back Ethan King as a possible understudy for fullback ace Scott Drinkwater.
Sport Confidential understands the Cowboys have tabled a one-year deal for King, who has been named 18th man for the Roosters’ clash against Penrith on Saturday night.
The 22-year-old made his NRL debut last year and has played fullback, wing and centre for the Roosters and Norths in the NSW Cup.
King comes from good stock. His father Andrew played 133 first-grade games at four NRL clubs, including South Sydney in their return to the big league in 2002.
Meanwhile, King’s uncles Chris and Matt both played NRL, with the latter representing NSW and Australia.
‘FOZ’ ON COMEBACK TRAIL
Titans warrior Kieran Foran is pushing to make an early return from a torn biceps.
Foran is hoping to be available for selection for Gold Coast’s trip to Townsville next week to face the in-form Cowboys.
The veteran playmaker suffered the injury in the Titans’ trial against the Dolphins and was told he’d be sidelined for three months.
But Foran has worked tirelessly on his rehabilitation and is desperate to get back on the field in round 8.
The Titans have missed his experience in heavy back-to-back losses to the Dolphins and Dragons.
Foran spent the pre-season training in a new middle service role but if the Titans fall to the Raiders on Easter Sunday, coach Des Hasler may have to get him back into the halves and shift AJ Brimson to fullback.
WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?
The Broncos are set to cash in on the resurgence of the Canterbury Bulldogs.
Brisbane is expecting a near capacity crowd at Suncorp Stadium for next week’s Anzac Day eve round 8 clash with the Dogs.
Despite it being a Thursday night fixture, tickets are selling like hotcakes following unbeaten Canterbury’s hot start to the season.
The public holiday on Friday certainly helps, but it’s been a strong showing regardless.
The Broncos are averaging crowds of more than 40,000 at home this year in what’s been a remarkable start to the year.
After years of poor results, the Bulldogs have been flooded with support in Sydney since turning things around last season under new coach Cameron Ciraldo and footy boss Phil ‘Gus’ Gould.
The Broncos can expect a hostile reception at Suncorp next week when the bandwagon Bulldogs supporters turn out in force.
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