The Broncos have suffered a major pre-season blow with a serious injury to their star forward, marking the club’s third training casualty in a week.
Back in Brisbane Jesse Arthars has returned from a loan deal with the Warriors and is eyeing a role as Brisbane’s starting center in 2023.
Meanwhile, Tigers coach Tim Sheens is adamant he has enough players capable of captaining the side in 2023, despite a lack of leadership at the club.
Read about the latest NRL news in Off-season Central.
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Brimson to honor Hampson in 2023 | 01:03
BRONCOS’ COP ANOTHER INJURY
The Broncos have confirmed forward Kobe Hetherington has undergone surgery after fracturing his bicep in training.
Hetherington was doing chin-ups in the Red Hill gym on Tuesday when he picked up the injury which will keep him out for 12 weeks.
“The surgery went well and Kobe is now on the mend,” Brisbane performance manager Dave Ballard said.
“He will be out for a long time, but he is receiving the highest quality care and the club will give him all the support Kobe needs during this period.”
Captain Adam Reynolds and superstar Payne Hass were also injured last week, but the club have since confirmed that neither was serious.
TIGERS CAPTAINCY HEADACHES
Tigers coach Tim Sheens is adamant he has enough players capable of captaining the team in 2023, despite a lack of leadership at the club.
The Tigers were selected for six captains last season, with James Tamou, Luke Brooks, Tyrone Peachey, Adam Doueihi and Ken Maumalo in the five-man leadership group, while Jackson Hastings also made the occasional skip.
Tamou, Peachey and Hastings have since moved on to the Cowboys, Panthers and Knights, while Brooks is under pressure to get back on track after a sub-par season in 2022.
Sheens told Wide World of Sports that he is confident he has the right man in the squad to lead the Tigers next season and will be making calls in the new year in preparation for pre-season trials.
“There’s been a few changes on the roster, but we’ve got some players that are more than capable of doing the job,” Sheens told Wide World of Sports.
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“I will speak to the players and management and get their views before I make the call next month.
Doueihi is the early favorite for the feature, but forwards Joe Ofahengaue and Stefano Utoikamanu could also be in line to lead the way.
Star recruits Api Koroisau and Isaiah Papali’i are unlikely to be considered for a role in their first season at the club.
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Dolphins name ground ‘Kayo Stadium’ | 00:44
BRONCOS BACK BID FOR STARTING CENTER SPOT
Broncos back Jesse Arthars has returned from a loan deal with the Warriors and is eyeing a starting center role in Brisbane in 2023.
Competition for places will be intense, with Kotoni Staggs a lock for one center berth and Herbie Farnworth a leading contender for the other, but Arthars and Selwyn Cobbo will create plenty of competition for places in the outside backs.
Speaking to AAP, Arthars knows he has a tough job breaking into the backfield but is targeting a starting center role in pre-season as he praised Staggs, who is returning from injury in good form.
“Tones (Staggs) is huge for this team and one of our leaders,” Arthars told AAP.
“It’s his second defensive session today and he’ll get more reps for Christmas and New Years.” I’m sure he will fly to the 1st round.
“I’m trying to build myself as a starting center. Competition for places is high, but I knew that. I look forward to the challenge.”
The 24-year-old scored five tries in 12 games for the Warriors during his loan spell in 2022 and has now scored 13 tries in 41 games for the Titans, Broncos and Warriors since making his debut in 2019.
New Zealand native Arthars enjoyed his time with the Warriors but was always determined to honor his deal to return to the Broncos in 2023.
“I enjoyed representing the Warriors, being a Kiwi kid,” Arthars continued.
“I have to play a few more games and add my experience. That was the team I watched when I was young, I got to go back to New Zealand and see my family too.
“I had a deal to come back and I always intended to keep it.
“I really enjoy the culture that Kevvie is trying to build. I’ve been here in tough times and I want to be here when we start winning.”
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