Latest news with #BrisbaneBroncos
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NRL fans all say same thing about Ben Ikin amid embarrassing new low for Broncos
Brisbane Broncos fans are urging the NRL club to try and lure Ben Ikin back after a stunning fall from grace since his departure. Ikin was formerly the head of football at the Broncos, but departed in 2023 to become the CEO of Queensland Rugby League. His time at the club was marred by rumours he didn't see eye-to-eye with then-coach Kevin Walters, and his departure came after his role was scaled back significantly. Walters initially reported to Ikin, but that was changed so Walters could get around Ikin and report straight to CEO Dave Donaghy. When leaving the Broncos in 2023, Ikin said: 'The short answer is I came in expecting to do a certain number of things, some of those things dropped off, and I picked up some other projects." Although the Broncos made the grand final in 2023, they've fallen off a cliff since Ikin's departure. They finished 12th in 2024 (which led to Walters being sacked), and are 11th after 13 rounds in 2025 under new coach Michael Maguire. Questions are starting to emerge about the leadership at the club, particularly at board level. Ikin's name has been mentioned a number of times in recent weeks as someone who might be able to fix the joint and get the club back on track. One person wrote on social media: "The Broncos messed up major when they let Ben Ikin walk." Another commented: "Bring Ben Ikin back no matter what it takes. This club is a joke and should be viewed as one." While a third added: "When Ikin was pushed out because Kevvie had his ego bruised, that was the end. Ikin got practically zero credit for turning the place around - now we are back in the same hole as 2020/21." Late last year, the Broncos tried to poach the Melbourne Storm's highly-rated general manager Frank Ponissi, but he decided to remain under Craig Bellamy. It was a clear indication the Broncos realised they're lacking what Ikin provided in his role, which they haven't been able to fill. The dude had them on the straight and narrow. It still baffles me to this day why they couldn't see all the good he'd done and throw the chequebook at him. — Rupert McDougall (@RupertMcDougall) June 2, 2025 Bring back Ben ikin — Ben (@buskya2) May 31, 2025 Fire everyone. Release every player except, like, Pat and Reyno and start over. Bring Ben Ikin back no matter what it club is a joke and should be viewed as one. — Lukas (@NotPatCarrigan) May 31, 2025 Thank you. When Ikin was pushed out because Kevvie had his ego bruised, that was the end. Ikin got practically zero credit for turning the place around - now we are back in the same hole as 2020/21. — Ben (@orca_chaser) May 31, 2025 It came after the club was forced to deny rumours of Ikin's return when Walters was sacked in October. Ikin was noticeably absent on NRL grand final day, when he was expected to be in attendance for the State Championship final. Instead it was chairman Bruce Hatcher acting as the QRL's representative, and he presented the trophy to the Newtown Jets after the game. Ikin's absence sparked rumours he may have left his QRL role, with many suggesting he could be on the verge a return to the Broncos. But Broncos chairman Karl Morris later said: 'We are very happy with Dave (Donaghy as CEO). We have never had more members and sponsorship, but it's also about winning on the field and that's our goal every year.' RELATED: Payne Haas could link with brother as manager makes call on future NRL fans left saddened over news about Tim Sheens and Robbie Farah With the Broncos in desperate need of an overhaul, many believe Ikin is the man for the job. Whether or not he'll leave Queensland Rugby League and return to the role at the Brisbane club remains to be seen.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'Play with his brother': Manager spills on NRL club Payne Haas will be at in 2027
Payne Haas' manager has admitted he can't see him leaving the Brisbane Broncos, and a contract clause means he might get to play with brother Klese in the near future. Reports emerged last weekend that Haas was set to test the open market on November 1 after a list of players - including his name - was sent by his management group to all 17 clubs. But Haas' manager has since moved to clear up confusion over the situation, saying it's standard procedure to send out the list. Haas is contracted to the Broncos until the end of 2026, meaning he's free to negotiate with rival clubs as of November 1 this year. But the front-rower's manager can't see that happening. "We have had really good discussions with the Broncos and we are all on the same page. I do believe that Payne will stay at the Broncos," Ahmad Merhi told AAP on Monday. "At this current stage we are not striking (any deal). We are waiting until the season is over and then we will go into heavy negotiations. Payne is a Bronco. He has always been a Bronco. "That list goes out every month. Every coach in every club will get that. Every November 1 we update our list to show who is coming off contract in the upcoming years. "It is a refresher and reminder to clubs that these players are with us and they need to speak to us in relation to any of those players when the time is right. We are not talking to clubs about Payne and we are not having discussions with any of them." It was also revealed on Monday that a clause in Klese Haas' contract could see the brothers united at the same club in 2027. The 23-year-old Klese signed a three-year contract extension with the Gold Coast Titans last October, but Merhi revealed there's an option for the final year that allows Klese to become a free agent. "The only thing Payne has ever asked of me is that he would love to play with his brother. That's it," Merhi said. "That could definitely happen. Klese has got a clause in his contract in his favour. "He has a three-year deal with the Titans but he has got until October to decide whether he wants to be there for three years or just stay until the end of next year. If he takes up that clause, then he is off contract the same time as Payne (at the end of 2026). They would love to play with each other. Any siblings are like that. I look after the May brothers and they are the same. It's a normal thing." RELATED: Laurie Daley urged to backflip after NSW forward ruled out of Origin NRL fans left saddened over news about Tim Sheens and Robbie Farah The Broncos appear the most likely club where the duo would play together, but that scenario might not be straightforward. Brisbane are facing a salary cap crunch, and many believe Payne could attract $2 million per season at one of the NRL expansion franchises. "The whole purpose of that clause wasn't put in place for Payne and Klese to play together," Merhi said. "It was all about Klese's performance and how much he is getting paid. They want to play together but is it going to happen? The only way it is going to happen is if Klese is getting his correct value. He's not going to take pay cuts to play with his brother." The brothers will face off at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night as the Broncos host the Titans. It will mark the second time they've played against each other in NRL, after Gold Coast's 36-34 win last year. with AAP
The Age
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
NRL Highlights: Sea Eagles v Broncos
Manly Sea Eagles host the Brisbane Broncos in Round 13 of the 2025 NRL Premiership at 4 Pines Park, Sydney. Loading
ABC News
22-05-2025
- ABC News
This PNG family-run food truck is serving lamb flaps across Qld, including an entire NRL team
Papua New Guinea might be a land of over 800 native languages, but if there's one language understood across any cultural gathering, it's food. When it comes to traditional kaikai, you'll find that regionally some prefer the mumu whilst others opt for the aigir. Perhaps a plate of smoked fish and saksak is all one needs to be satisfied. All options considered, a big winner on a big festival day like PNG's Independence Day celebration is the lamb flaps. So you'd best believe that when Nesia Daily saw that there was a Papua New Guinean food truck driving around Brisbane, Australia — serving up lamb flaps to both Australians and the wantoks abroad — we had to meet the person behind the wheel. In this edition of Mean Feeds, head chef and owner Afa'alie Ninkama shared how she got started in the culinary business and what it was like serving food to the Brisbane Broncos NRL team upon request.
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
NRL star Reece Walsh learns his fate after he posted video of himself doing 'stupid and dangerous' act on TikTok, leaving his club fuming
The Brisbane Broncos have officially broken their silence after star footy player Reece Walsh posted a video on his TikTok account, appearing to punch another individual, believed to be a close friend, while wearing a boxing glove. The video was posted on his social media accounts on Tuesday, with the club said to be 'privately furious' over the matter. It is understood that the star fullback, 22, had meant the video as a joke but has since admitted that he should have 'chosen his actions a lot better', adding that he and the Broncos did not condone violence. The footy club have since concluded their investigation into the matter. They say that Walsh is due to make a donation to the Black Dog Institute, a not-for-profit mental health research organisation. Walsh is due to face no further disciplinary action from the club. The man, who is believed to be one of Walsh's best friends fell backwards clutching his head 'Walsh today met with the club management about the matter and apologised for his lack of judgement. 'He has also offered to make a donation to the Black Dog Institute. 'The Black Dog Institute has partnered with the Brisbane Broncos for a Mental Health awareness campaign, which will see the NRL squad play in a Black Jersey on June 7 in a dedicated Mental Health Round, to shine a light on an important issue in our community.' The footy star also issued a comment on the video, explaining what had happened before admitting that he had taken things too far. 'I feel like I could choose them (actions) a lot better I guess,' he said. 'I feel like just having a laugh with my mate and putting it on social media, stuff like that, it's really important to try and keep those things away (from social media). We don't support violence. '(I was) just having a laugh with my mate, obviously. You know we don't support violence and stuff like that, but obviously, it's not a good look for myself and that was all me trying to have a laugh and a good time with friends. 'There's a really cool jersey coming out that we should be talking about and not letting this overshadow it.' The friend Walsh was filmed punching also backed up his version of events In the clip, the man appears to lean on a sofa, which is situated on the edge of a terrace. Walsh, wearing the boxing glove, winds up a punch and catches the other man in the side of the head with some force. The man falls to the ground and appears dazed, while holding his head in his hands. Another camera angle showed several other individuals filming the moment, which is understood to have taken place in recent days. Walsh has now deleted the clip with some individuals screen grabbing the moment before it was taken down. The Daily Telegraph reported on Tuesday that the Broncos are 'privately furious that Walsh acted so stupidly to not only punch the man but then post the video on social media.' Walsh had also taken to social media to address the video yesterday evening. 'Just to add context to the video recently posted - it was a joke with me (sic) best mate,' he wrote. 'No one was harmed, boys being boys.' Walsh is considered one of the Broncos and NRL's most popular and talented rising stars. The 22-year-old flying star had previously left some NRL greats concerned after setting up a new YouTube channel that is set to give fans a behind-the-scenes look into his life. He has amassed 4,820 subscribers after having published seven videos on the site. Brisbane had locked him down on a four-year $5million contract extension to the end of the 2029 season at the end of last year. But former footy great James Graham was left scratching his head over how or why Michael Maguire gave the move the green light. 'Where it (Reece Walsh TV) can become a problem is if you've set your environment in stone around what's acceptable and what's not and had all the players pull back, and then one player made the decision to do this. I don't know if he had any consultation with the head coach, but that's when it becomes a problem,' Graham said on the Sunday Sin Bin. 'Reece isn't in the team at the moment, but that's where things can bubble away underneath the surface and it's like well, why are we allowing this and we're not allowing other things? 'I think like with Maguire, if he's been brought in to bring that hard edge, it's not happening yet.' It comes after the new Broncos boss is looking to get his side back to firing form following the departure of former boss Kevin Walters. The club has floundered in recent years, dropping to 12th last year and Maguire has implemented a no-nonsense approach. Brisbane are now 5-6 at the start of the 2025 season, with Walsh having appeared in seven games this season. He has been ruled out since their round seven defeat by the New Zealand Warriors after sustaining a posterior cruciate ligament injury. He'll now be absent for next Wednesday's state of Origin opener but is remaining optimistic that he could return in the coming weeks. 'No, probably not the first Origin, but you never know how (the knee is) feeling,' Walsh said, speaking on his hopes of returning to play. 'It's holding up pretty well at the moment but hopefully I can get through the rehab and see how we go. 'It might be a couple more weeks. Injuries are frustrating. 'That's what comes with playing our game, it's tough and physical and I have to keep rolling with the punches.'
