With a new franchise all but certain to join the NRL from 2023, current stars are bound to be targeted to form the upstart squad.
While there’s still a year to play out before the second Brisbane franchise officially joins the league, NRL contract rules allow the winning bidder to begin talking with potential recruits before the club is up and running.
Joining SEN 1170 Breakfast, The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio explained when stars without a deal from 2023 can officially kick of talks with the new franchise and other rival clubs.
“From November 1, if you are off-contract at the end of next season, you are allowed to negotiate, talk, meet with clubs, and you do not need your current club’s permission,” Riccio explained.
“Any player off contract at the end of next season can go and meet and talk with the new franchise winning bid.
“I’ve had a quick look at it, the off-contract list for 2022, there’s not a heap of massive names, there’s certainly a great selection of names though.
“I think immediately I’d look at the Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast Titans lists because of the obvious location and geographic location to join the new franchise.
“For the Broncos, it’s the likes of Corey Oates and Pat Carrigan, there’s no massive names at the Titans.”
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With a lack of big names out of contract from clubs in South-East Queensland, Riccio detailed the other stars the new side will look at and potentially begin speaking with in a few weeks’ time.
“Kalyn Ponga would be my main target, he has an option to stay at the Knights beyond 2022, but the Knights don’t have a say on that, he’s free to negotiate,” Riccio said.
“I then look at the likes of Brandon Smith, Christian Welch, Jesse Bromwich, Clint Gutherson, Reed Mahoney, Viliame Kikau and Cody Walker, who are all off-contract at the end of 2022.
“There’s some seriously good names there.”
The winning bidder between the Redcliffe Dolphins, Brisbane Jets and Brisbane Firehawks is set to be announced next week.
The Dolphins are reportedly the hot favourite to win the NRL’s backing.