The Brisbane Broncos are now focused on keeping three important players after Kobe Hetherington decided not to take a new one-year contract because he wants to move to Sydney with his girlfriend. It was shared on Monday that Hetherington will be joining the Manly team next season with a four-year contract.
The steady back-row player had just recently settled on a new one-year contract with the Broncos for 2026 but changed his mind and asked to leave when his girlfriend got a job in Sydney. He had turned down a chance to play for the Sea Eagles before but is now going to Manly to support his partner as she moves south.
Kobe had made an agreement with Brisbane, but since his girlfriend has a nice job in Sydney, the Broncos were very understanding about his situation,โ said his manager, Chris Haddad. โWe had officially signed with Brisbane, and they were kind enough to let Kobe out of the deal. Manlyโs four-year contract offers him a lot more security than what he had with the Broncos, so itโs a smart choice for Kobe.
We really appreciate the Broncos for being so understanding and I want to thank them. Kobe really cares about the Broncos and wants to win a championship before he leaves. They brought him in as a kid, and now heโs moving on as an adult. “
Broncos to keep three players after Kobe Hetherington leaves
The Courier Mail has now reported that Hetheringtonโs decision to leave will help the team keep Corey Jensen, Cory Paix, and Jack Gosiewski. All three of them currently donโt have contracts for 2026, but Hetherington’s exit has made the salary cap situation a bit easier for the Broncos.
Jensen, who plays in the front row, is thought to be close to finalizing a new deal. Heโs in his fourth year with the Broncos and has established himself as a starting prop.
Paix and Gosiewski are two players whom coach Michael Maguire has been able to help improve and get the best performance from. Paix was previously told by former coach Kevin Walters that he could leave, but Maguire stepped in to say he wanted him to stay as part of the Broncos’ plans.
The hooker has spent time playing both in first grade and the Queensland Cup over the past few seasons but has secured the starting hooker position for the Broncos due to Billy Walters moving to the halves while Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam are injured. Gosiewski started the year as a regular back-row player, but injuries have affected his season.
Kobe Hetherington reunites with Anthony Seibold
Hetherington is the child of Bulldogs champion player Jason and has a strong connection with Manly coach Anthony Seibold. Seibold was the one who changed Hetherington from a hooker, like his father, to a lock when he was coaching the Broncos, before Walters eventually gave him his debut in the NRL.
Broncos captain Adam Reynolds compared him to a cattle dog because “he has a lot of spirit and determination like a cattle dog and just doesnโt quit. ” His dad Jason said to AAP not long ago: “When Kobe and his brother Zac were just five, I would have them tackle calves. While I was working with the cattle, I would tell them, ‘Go grab those calves, catch them, jump on them, and ride them. ‘ They would dive in and tackle them and grab their necks. “
