The Brisbane Broncos will bid farewell to a group of NRL and NRLW players as the 2025 season concludes.
The Club extends its gratitude to departing NRL players Kobe Hetherington, Tyson Smoothy, Selwyn Cobbo, Jock Madden and Israel Leota for their contributions to the Club both on and off the field.
Hetherington joined the Broncos as a junior, made his debut in 2021 and bought up his 100th game for the Club in the 2025 season.
Smoothy has been a reliable contributor through the middle for the Broncos since he joined the Club in 2023 and displayed his versatility throughout his 42 games.
Cobbo debuted for the Broncos in Round 13 of 2021, and has gone on to score 49 tries in 83 appearances for the Club.
Madden provided depth in the halves when he joined the Broncos in 2023 but had limited game time due to injury in 2025.
Emerging outside back, Leota, has been a part of the top 30 squad and his regarded as an exciting young prospect with a bright future.
General Manager of Football Operations, Troy Thomson, said they’ll always be a part of the Broncos family.
“Each of these players have made a great contribution to the Broncos in their own way,” he said.
“We’re proud of the role they have played in our squad, particularly in the 2025 premiership winning season.
“On behalf of the Brisbane Broncos, I wish them all the best in their future endeavours, and we will continue to watch their journey from afar.”
Meanwhile, the NRLW program will farewell Gayle Broughton, Mele Hufanga, Annetta-Claudia Nu’uausala, Keilee Joseph, Montaya Hudson, Lavinia Gould and Shaylee Joseph.
Broughton, joined the Club in 2023 and quickly became one of the Broncos’ most dangerous attacking weapons playing at five-eighth.
Fellow Kiwi, centre Mele Hufanga, burst onto the NRLW scene in 2023 and has gone on to score 25 tries in 33 games for the Club.
Her standout performance in the 2025 NRLW Grand Final saw her receive the Karyn Murphy Medal for Player of the Match.
Nu’uausala has played in the competition since its inception in 2018 and brought her experience to the forward pack when she joined the Broncos in 2022.
Queensland and Australian representative, Joseph, has played 23 games for the Club and added strength to the Broncos since she signed with the Club in 2024.
Gould is one of the Broncos “originals” having joined the Club in its inaugural year in 2018.
The 42-year-old has won several premierships with the Club, played 30-games for the Broncos, and has added great leadership and experience to the squad.
Hudson and Shaylee Joseph are both members of the NRLW top 24-squad and have been valuable in helping the team throughout the season.
Head of the NRLW Program, Paul Dyer, said the players will be greatly missed.
“All of these women have been incredible ambassadors for the Broncos and for women’s rugby league as a whole,” he said.
“The Club takes pride in seeing our players continue to succeed, wherever their next chapter takes them.
“Whether they’re joining other Clubs or retiring, they’ll always be a Bronco for life.”
