Brisbane has emerged as a shock contender for Parramatta prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard after negotiations with St George Illawarra stalled.
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2 min read
September 9, 2024 - 6:29PM
News Sport Network
Brisbane's fall in the past 12 months can be traced back their heartbreaking Grand Final loss - and several more hurdles have come along the way.
The Broncos have emerged as a shock contender to sign Reagan Campbell-Gillard after the former NSW Origin enforcer’s touted move to the Dragons was on the rocks on Monday night.
This masthead can reveal Campbell-Gillard is on the radar of a Broncos club that launched a wide-ranging review on Monday in the wake of Brisbane’s dramatic freefall to miss the finals this season.
The Parramatta prop’s move to the Dragons was regarded as a fait accompli, but in a stunning twist on Monday night, ructions broke out in Campbell-Gillard’s transfer to the Red V.
The 31-year-old is seeking a three-year deal from a prospective club but the Dragons were only willing to come to the party with a two-year offer.
No formal deal has been struck with St George Illawarra at this stage.
That has opened the door for the Broncos, who are on the hunt for an experienced forward to provide some leadership and partner with star prop Payne Haas in 2025 following Brisbane’s horror 12th-placed finish.
Eels prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
The Broncos have also been linked with Storm veteran Christian Welch and Brisbane coach Kevin Walters is understood to be interested in snaring the signature of RCG.
The Broncos will discuss whether to make a formal play for Campbell-Gillard at a meeting on Wednesday.
But any move to Red Hill is contingent on salary-cap restrictions and whether the Broncos can afford Campbell-Gillard, who is on a lucrative deal with the Eels.
Currently on $775,000 this season, it is believed his salary next year drops to around $650,000.
Just turned 31, Campbell-Gillard is contracted to the Eels until the end of next season, but Parramatta have given the bookend permission to negotiate with rival clubs.
Campbell-Gillard’s exit from Parramatta seemed a certainty given the prop had a shot at goal in his side’s 60-26 rout of the Tigers last Friday night in the strongest sign yet he was saying goodbye to the Eels.
Commentators even suggested Dragons fans should celebrate the arrival of Campbell-Gillard, but with his Red V deal suddenly in jeopardy, the Broncos could pull off an eleventh-hour poaching strike.
Fox League host Matthew Johns looks at the plight of the Brisbane Broncos in 2024 and shares an anecdote from his own forgettable season at Newcastle.
Queensland Origin 2023 debutant Corey Horsburgh rejected a possible move to the Broncos on Monday, honouring his Canberra deal after talks with Raiders coach Ricky Stuart.
The Broncos have given forward Kobe Hetherington permission to negotiate with rival clubs and he would be allowed to leave in 2025 - on the proviso Brisbane receive a player of equal value.
That player could be Campbell-Gillard, a veteran of 221 NRL games who could take the pressure off Haas with his representative experience, toughness and go forward.
Campbell-Gillard and Haas know each other well - they were starting front-rowers for NSW in the opening game of the 2022 State of Origin series.
Walters has vowed to put Brisbane’s roster under the microscope, with the Broncos having sorely missed the front-row intimidation of Dolphins defector Tom Flegler this season.
The Broncos still have one spot left on their 30-man full-time roster, putting RCG and Welch in the frame if Brisbane can strike the right deal.
Replies
Good, we will take Mozer.
Him or Kobe hetherington.
Or both.
Hmmm. Maybe ESL might pay Reg his full freight x 3 years. Not sure he'll get that in NRL.
Looks like Trent Barrett is taking Reg with him to the Broncos.
X100 yes please.... swap for Mozer and conpensation, he's not gonna get a start with Bart Walters at 9 and his Dad Homer as coach.
Exactly Jack, i would say to Brisbane we will pitch in if we can get Mozer and pay his full freight, which surely for one more year is minimum. Billy will be the 9 as long as Kevin is there, issue is how long will he be there for?
Mozer already getting attention from Gold Coast and depending on Robson NQ could be keen too. We need to jump now. Brisbane also wont miss out having Smoothy there as the back-up and Cameron Bukowski, U19's QLD Hooker, there too for future. Plus they only have one roster spot for 2025 free, wanting both Welch and RCG, release Mozer and they can have both.
Reg and Haas are a killer front row pairing.
Better than Ploddo and whomever the fringe plod partner is we decide to line up with him will be . We get Lomax to fill one massive weakness in our team and then let Reg go as some kind of dumb favour to him and totally weaken an equally as important cog in the machine.
Why the fuck do we give a shit about whether he gets another contract next year and for how long. We aren't a charity FFS . We are stronger with him and unless there's some big signing on the horizon we aren't aware of then it's irresponsible to let him go.
We may want to use his cash to sign others? Who knows?
Have you ever noticed that neither Bennett or Bellamy have expensive Props? They see them as battering rams and pay them accordingly. We have 2 expensive Props.
Anyway there's a good chance Reg will still be here next year. He's holding out for top dollar x 3 years. He's contracted to the Eels for 2025 and may well just take that and head to England for 2026.
Interesting analysis, and it seems Ryles may be of the same opinion. If that's the case it would be interesting to see what he has in mind for Paulo, who looks to be staying put for the time being. He will likely have to earn his high salary.
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