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Broncos coach Kevin Walters has put his son Billy on notice by reportedly re-signing hooker Tyson Smoothy until the end of 2025.
Walters Jr cemented the No. 9 jersey in Brisbane last year as they charged to the grand final, but there’s plenty of competition for his spot.
Walters will be the starting hooker in Round 1 but Smoothy, Cory Paix and rising star Blake Mozer will all be keeping him on his toes.
Smoothy, 24, debuted at the Storm in 2021 and played four NRL games that season, but couldn’t add to that tally in 2022.
The Broncos then handed the utility a career lifeline last year and he made the most of it, making 13 appearances – inlcuding the grand final – as Walters’ back-up.
“Tyson made the most of his opportunity after joining us at the start of last pre-season as a train-and-trial player and all his hard work paid off as the year went on,” Walters Sr told The Courier Mail.
“He has a great attitude both on and off the field, knows what his role is and really fits into the team and what it means to be a Bronco.”
Walters Jr is off-contract at the end of this year but expected to re-sign this year, while Mozer is contracted until the end of 2025.
The Wests Tigers have officially pulled out of the race for stud centre Bradman Best, who is set to sign a deal worth $2 million with the Newcastle Knights.
Best is off contract at the end of 2024 thus able to negotiate with other clubs, and the Tigers had genuine interest in the centre after his breakout 2023 campaign.
According to The Daily Telegraph though, new Tigers coach Benji Marshall is happy with the state of his outside backs, led by the recently-signed Justin Olam.
Newcastle’s offer on the table to Best is believed to be worth over $700,000 a season over three years.
Best’s stellar form in 2023 was rewarded with a debut Origin jersey for the Blues in Game III.
He made the selectors look good by scoring two tries in that game, helping NSW avoid a 3-0 whitewash.
The Dragons and coach Shane Flanagan haven’t been backward in coming forward this off-season in trying to acquire talent for the club, however one newly-available winger is a player that isn’t on their radar.
David Nofoaluma had his contract terminated by the Wests Tigers last week with a reported $300,000 payout and is likely to be picked up sooner or later by another club.
It’s won’t be the Dragons however according to The Daily Telegraph’s Dave Riccio, despite the Red V losing winger Corey Allen to a season-ending ACL injury.
