Broncos forward Kobe Hetherington has opted to only sign a one-year extension with the club under coach Michael Maguire, but the lock turned down an extended deal raising eyebrows about his future.
Hetherington has been a favourite under Maguire since the former NSW coach took over the club having started the season at 13.
Hetherington has been pushed to the bench in recent weeks with Patrick Carrigan reverting back to lock and Xavier Willison to prop. The Broncos have benefited from an extra big body in the front-row and Hetherington’s work ethic from the bench.
And Maguire has moved to lockdown the 26-year-old for another season with the star signing a one-year deal. However, The Courier Mail reported Hetherington’s manager claimed the player turned down a two-year deal to keep his options open.
While the Broncos will be thrilled to have locked down the forward, Hetherington could be keeping his options open when the Perth Bears enter the competition in 2027. Mal Meninga will be the coach of the Bears and will be building a roster across the next 12 months.
While players such as Ryan Papenhuyzen and Jahrome Hughes have been linked as their marquee signing, the Bears will have plenty of money to throw at other players. And Hetherington could be looking at his future options going forward if a bigger deal comes his way after the one-year extension.
Hetherington will be able to negotiate with rival clubs come 1 November this year as he prepares for another deal. Hetherington’s manager, Chris Haddad, said they were happy to challenge themselves with a short-term deal.
“It’s a great result,” Hetherington’s manager Chris Haddad told the publication. “Kobe is happy at the Broncos, so we were happy to extend for one year and we’ll see what happens after that.
“The Broncos offered us a two-year deal but we were happy to do another 12 months and Kobe will keep testing and challenging himself. He could have left the Broncos. Several Sydney clubs were keen on Kobe, but when we sat down with ‘Madge’ (Maguire), he wanted a chance to work with Kobe and he is enjoying being coached by Madge.”
Brisbane Broncos continue retention plan
The Broncos have made huge moves in retaining the key members of their squad in recent months. With Reece Walsh tied down on a $4.4 million upgrade, the likes of Ezra Mam and Patrick Carrigan will also be with the club for a number of years.
Veteran halfback Adam Reynolds extended his deal till the end of 2026, while Kotoni Staggs and Blake Mozer were part of the Broncos’ $4 million spending spree. Staggs signed a three-year extension, which will see him remain at the Broncos until the end of the 2028 season.
The club is also looking to retain Gehamat Shibasaki with the centre having a standout season. The 27-year-old’s current development contract is only reportedly worth around $85,000 but with his additional match payments and Origin windfall, that figure could rise to at least $160,000 if he plays all of Brisbane’s remaining games and they reach the finals.
Shibasaki knows he’ll be able to command a much larger salary if he hits the open market though. The Broncos have a salary cap squeeze, but will be doing everything to keep the centre at the club.
