Broncos face $500k squeeze as five clubs circle Origin star; Bears target duo — Whispers

Broncos star Gehamat Shibasaki is a man in demand, with five clubs reportedly vying for his signature.

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In addition to the Broncos, who are keen to hold onto last year’s breakout star, the Perth Bears, PNG Chiefs and two Sydney clubs are linked to Shibasaki according to The Courier Mail.

Shibasaki, who is without a contract for next season, will no doubt want to repay Brisbane’s faith in him, but could find it hard to turn down life-changing money from rival clubs.

He will enter the season earning just $160,000. His new deal could see him add $500,000 to his contract value.

The outside back was arguably the story of the 2025 season, progressing from a modest train-and-trial deal in the pre-season to earning a debut Maroons jersey, winning a premiership and playing three games for the Kangaroos in the Ashes to cap off a whirlwind year.

While other teams are putting the pressure on, Broncos coach Michael Maguire stressed that the club don’t want to let Shibasaki walk out the door.

“We’re working towards keeping Gem. His attitude and work ethic is everything we want to stand for at the Broncos,” Maguire said.

Shibasaki’s agent Wayde Rushton confirms he’ll test what else is out there but revealed that the looming departure of Payne Haas and retirement of Adam Reynolds at season’s end now gives Brisbane the edge.

“Gem loves Brisbane, but understands there’s salary cap pressures, so we need to just work out where he fits in the salary cap and where he is best suited,” Rushton told The Courier Mail.

“With Payne and ‘Reyno’ going at the end of the season, I’d say there would be more of a chance of him staying at the Broncos, yes… but he also has major interest (from other clubs).”

BEARS’ RECRUITMENT DRIVE HEATS UP

The Perth Bears are quickly building their roster ahead of their inaugural season in 2027, with 14 players now locked into contracts, but that number could soon increase.

Code Sports are reporting that the Bears have held talks with Warriors forward Marata Niukore and Panthers playmaker Jack Cole.

Niukore is approaching 30 but his signing would be a very handy pick-up for the Bears.

When on, Niukore is hard to stop and his physical style will be infectious.

Meanwhile, Cole would provide handy cover for the Bears’ likely starting halves pairing of Toby Sexton and Tyran Wishart.

The Bears have been linked to Gehamat Shibasaki as well, but seem resigned that the Broncos star’s price might be beyond them.

You don’t discard those types of players, but he could be a bit dear for us. I just think Gehamat could price himself out for us,” Bears coach Meninga told Code Sports.

“We haven’t pursued it too much, I just assumed he would stay with the Broncos.”

Meninga is so far happy with the Bears’ haul 12 months out from their first NRL game, but knows there’s still a fair bit of work to do to fill the rest of the roster out.

“We’re pretty happy with who we have signed but we have a bit of work to do,” he said.

“It is a challenge because the other 17 clubs are not dumb, they are locking in all their major talents for the longer haul so we have to be smart with the guys we target.”