Canterbury great Steve Price has called on Brisbane to clear the way for Josh Hoffman’s move to Belmore.
Hoffman is reportedly keen on a switch to the Bulldogs, with the Broncos’ acquisition of Ben Barba leaving him on the outer and unlikely to play his favoured fullback role at the club in 2014.
But with one year left on his contract at Red Hill, Broncos officials have so far been reluctant to let Hoffman move south.
Brisbane have been accused of double standards after Barba was released by the ‘Dogs on compassionate grounds, while the Broncos are also believed to be interested in having 2015 signing Anthony Milford leave Canberra a year early and come to the club next season.
Price, who played 222 games over 11 seasons at Belmore, said Brisbane should let Hoffman go.
“It is a real hard one,” Price said.
“When you sign a contact you commit to a place but things have changed a fair bit since he signed that contract and obviously if they sign Milford, he (Hoffman) is definitely not going to be there after next year.
“So you have to see a bit of balance …
“If you have an opportunity for a kid to go somewhere and commit to somewhere for three or four years you would almost let him do that.”
With the two teams scheduled for a fiery round one clash next season, former Queensland and Australia representative Price said he could understand if Brisbane kept Hoffman in order to maintain depth, but he encouraged Canterbury to be dogged in their chase for the Kiwi representative.
“I would like to see Josh Hoffman go there personally, I have got a really good wrap on Josh,” Price said at a promotional event for Auckland’s NRL Nines.
“I think the Broncos were a lot better team when he was playing fullback at the end of the season and they were winning. And they almost made the semis pretty much through that run they had at the back end of the year.
“I’m not getting into a debate about what the Broncos do or don’t do, but Benny Barba is a fantastic fullback, I don’t see how playing him somewhere else is going to benefit the Broncos so he is probably going to play fullback.
“Josh did a great job on the wing but the Bulldogs are looking for a fullback and I think he would be a great fit.
JayBob
Guest
Lol family reasons. Apparently 3 players all had them the same year and all wanted to go back to the Broncos, ironically they have never played there before, or lived there. Mackay is near Brisbane isn't it? No, Darwin is? And what about Milford? Apparently his "family reasons" can wait another year now that Canberra held strong. I would think if the reasons are family-related and are big enough to warrant a move in the first place then you would sit out a year. Anyone still believing the "family reasons" excuse needs a reality check. Brisbane poaching in the off season last year is the logical conclusion but you obviously won't hear it out of News Ltd, and the NRL definitely aren't going to do anything to their biggest money maker. They like Brisbane strong, which is why they have been for so long. Does anyone know if Barba signed for much? Or did he sign for 250k per year like Lockyer? ;)
Steve
Guest
Josh Hoffman needs to stop sooking. What ever happened to playing where the coach tells you to play?
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
Hodges is the best fullback the broncos have, but the problem is he is also the best centre.
Ed Norton
Guest
It isnt double standard. Milford and Barba left because of family problems. Theres no basis for compassionate grounds with Hoffman.
Muzz
Guest
Hahaha.... Thanks mate.
Don
Roar Rookie
Yeah mate, it must be the humidity up here. Well, I guess they prefer to call it a "negotiated settlement." I call it what it is, a transfer fee by proxy. IMO transfer fees are the best way to see most movements of under contract players between clubs done fairly. Legal? Only if the player was seeking release and didn't have any grounds within the terms of his contract. Won't stop those who the clubs have stupidly allowed "get out" clauses be added into their contracts.
Muzz
Guest
Don ya mad Qlder : ) What is the story with transfer fees,are they legal?
Don
Roar Rookie
Exactly. Even putting Millford aside. If the Broncos had to pay a transfer fee to the Bulldogs when Barba wanted to follow his family to Brisbane, then surely Canterbury will be prepared to pay something to get the Broncos to release Hoffman. After all, the only reason Hoffman wants out is because he will have to compete for his spot in the team next season. I am no Broncos fan but there is no double standard in play as reported.
Manly2013premiers
Guest
Looks like they will be stuck with drury low.
Casper
Guest
So lets have a deal done, Hoffman to the dogs, Milford to the Broncos & the dogs give the raiders some of the undisclosed transfer fee the broncos gave them. Steve price can't have it both ways by saying you sign a contract & then things change so you should be able to rethink it. that only works if both parties want it to happen. Some players sign big deals for 3-4 years going forward & then don't live up to the potential but are able to hang on & get paid by the club for sitting on the bench or in reserves or often get a payout & head to the UK super league. That's what a contract means. I'm sure Parra would like to renegotiate with Sandow but that's the punt on recruitment.
Tiger
Guest
Inu is the answer..