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James Roberts to become a Bronco in 2016

23rd December, 2015
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James Roberts has underperformed for the Broncos. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
23rd December, 2015
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James Roberts has signed a two-year deal with the Brisbane Broncos, forgoing larger offers from rival clubs to join last season’s runners up.

News broke on Wednesday morning that Roberts was set to make the short move north, lured by the opportunity to build his game under coach Wayne Bennett.

The Broncos were in need of someone to fill the shoes of the recently retired Justin Hodges and fans will be hoping the 22-year-old will have little trouble stepping into his role at centre.

Roberts deal will see him remain in Brisbane until at least the end of the 2017 season.

The decision puts an end to weeks of speculation, as Roberts was formerly lured by South Sydney and St George Illawarra while Parramatta and Cronulla showed interest.

After rejecting the Dragons offer earlier in the week, it became a two-horse race between the Rabbitohs and the Broncos, with Roberts deciding to go with the 2015 grand finalists over the club that gave him his NRL debut in 2011.

Roberts, 22, is a free agent after a Titans contract forgery bungle in which Roberts didn’t sign his lucrative new deal with the club and it was instead initialled by a club staffer, who has since resigned.

He is set to join his new Broncos teammates on January 4.

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Roberts is believed to have signed the deal on Tuesday night.

South Sydney coach Michael Maguire and CEO John Lee had met with Roberts on the weekend and saw him as an ideal replacement for Dylan Walker.

Roberts is a South Sydney junior and played 10 NRL games for the Rabbitohs in his 2011 debut year, before switching to Penrith for 2013, where he played six games.

He was eventually sacked by both clubs for disciplinary reasons.

Roberts’ manager and uncle Jeremy Donovan said a move to Brisbane under Bennett was considered best for his “personal development”.

Broncos boss Paul White said Roberts was an unexpected but exciting replacement for Hodges, who drew the curtain on his glittering career after their NRL grand final loss to North Queensland.

“We certainly did not expect this opportunity and James and his advisor have conducted themselves very well during the negotiation,” he said.

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“James is obviously motivated to play for the Broncos for the benefit he will see both on and off the field.

“James is one of the most exciting young players in the NRL and we believe playing in the Broncos’ system can help take his game to the next level.”

Roberts – a 2016 Indigenous All Stars selection – became one of the league’s hottest properties after scoring 16 tries in 24 games for the Titans this season.

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