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Sport Nation
Parker: How can Broncos keep their stars under the cap?
Charles Goodsir • April 1st, 2025 12:50 pm
SEN’s Corey Parker has highlighted his concerns of an impending salary cap crunch for the Brisbane Broncos.
The Broncos have begun life under new coach Michael Maguire in strong fashion with a 3-1 start and are currently sitting third on the NRL ladder after the opening month.
However, with emerging stars and a host of established first graders such as Payne Haas, Selwyn Cobbo and Kotoni Staggs - who are set to command top dollar on the open market - Parker is worried that his former club is set to lose plenty of talent in future seasons.
“The free agents at the Brisbane Broncos right now include Adam Reynolds, Selwyn Cobbo, Kotoni Staggs, Kobe Hetherington and more,” Parker said on SENQ Breakfast.
“There are 13 in total. They can talk to other clubs and play for another team next year.
“The free agents as of November 1 include Payne Haas, Billy Walters, Jesse Arthars and more.
“Ezra Mam is tied up until 2029, Patrick Carrigan until 2028, Jordan Riki until 2027 and Reece Walsh until 2029.
“Kotoni Staggs, I believe, is on the verge of signing a three-year deal. He’s on around $700,000 at the moment. I believe (his price) is going north to around $850,000.
“He’s now taking up $150,000 extra and if Adam Reynolds were to go to the open market, he would easily get $700,000.
“The Broncos aren’t in a position to offer him that amount so you put a question mark on Reynolds’ name.
“Payne Haas is currently on $1.1 million and does he stay on that at Brisbane moving forward?
"What does he command on the open market? Maybe $1.5 million depending on who wants to buy him.
“The club needs to identify who is part of the Broncos in the future and how much are we going to pay for them?”
Parker has grave fears over Cobbo’s future at Red Hill with the Queensland Origin representative attracting interest from rival clubs.
He believes that the 22-year-old will command far too much on the open market and the Broncos will be unable to match or surpass the offer.
“I don’t think the Broncos can afford to lose Selwyn Cobbo,” Parked added.
“I have said this many times but if Cobbo goes to the open market, he will get $1 million. That’s my opinion based on his potential and the positions he can play.
“For the Broncos to keep Cobbo, they have to go up to $800-900,000.”
The Broncos host the Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
