Brisbane have re-signed star centre James Roberts until the end of the 2021 NRL season.
Roberts, who has signed a four-year contract extension, was thrown a lifeline by the Broncos at the end of the 2015 season after stints with three clubs over four years.
The 24-year-old speedster scored nine tries in 25 games in his first year at Red Hill before shining in 2017 to be the Broncos’ lead try-scorer with 13.
He also leads the club for line breaks (13) and tackle busts (67) this year.
Roberts began his career at South Sydney but was sacked for disciplinary reasons, before enduring the same fate at Penrith after six games.
He became one of Gold Coast’s best players before a contracting error on the club’s behalf saw him depart for Brisbane.
“The club is proud of the support we have shown James, but also the responsibility he has taken on to earn this new contract,” Broncos chief executive Paul White said in a statement on Thursday.
“The long-term nature of the contract is a show of faith by the Broncos in James, but also by James in the Broncos.”
Roberts was reportedly approached by at least five rival NRL clubs ahead of coming off contract this year.
He was believed to be seeking a significant rise from his former $300,000 per season deal.
Jimmmy
Guest
You really are a glass half empty kind of guy .
Nat
Roar Guru
Fair chance based on his history. If Bennett was in doubt he would've had a drug and grog clause. Bennett is a decent judge of character and Jimmy has done all the right moves to earn his trust. If he lets himself down this time, buy a jumper because it's Super League for him.
Steve
Guest
Don't worry, any problems Roberts has off the field will be totally ignored by the Brisbane media. Apparently he's had multiple issues since moving to the Broncs but we never hear anything about them. Sydney clubs don't have that advantage unfortunately.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Torn up within 2yrs Looong deal so someone whose only been behaved for 5months
PNG Broncos fan88
Roar Guru
He said it, he wants to be a Bronco for life. Now to rip em apart on the pitch, Jimmy boy.
Sean
Guest
Im a qlder and would love Roberts and mansour being on one edge. Defensively on there line against Inglis/Boyd? mismatch for sure. Wed score a massive amount of points.
Haz
Guest
I'm a Queenslader and the thought of Tede at the back, Turbo and Mansour on the wings with an ever improving Roberts and Bird at centre is what state of origin nightmares are made of. Combined with the current forward pack with Vaughn in for Woods.
Nat
Roar Guru
Maybe if the Broncos start him at FB! He will be a definite NSW center. Agree though, along with Jet, Tede, Turbo, Mansour, Bird.. I cannot see Hayne or Fergo (even Dugan) retaining their spot.
Craig
Guest
Exactly! Any one of about 10 clubs would've taken him happily. If his defence keeps improving (and I think it has improved considerably) he will continue to be a big asset. Very different player to Hodges, but has eased the loss of Hodges.
Gav
Guest
Need him in the Blues line up for sure, but move over Hane Plane in my book.
Darren
Guest
The NSW Blues will do their usual and keep picking Dugan in his place.... HAH!
Nat
Roar Guru
Well done to you James Roberts. Off the grog, a family man and now a club leader. All that history and still only 24. NSW should be cheering this as he'll be terrorising Qld in the near future.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
I'm a Broncos fan...but you cannot be serious saying we threw him a lifeline at the end of the 2015 season! He was Dally M centre of the year and had signed a contract with the Titans! But after learning there was some shenanigans associated with the paperwork he decided to bug out and he had multiple suitors, the Broncos being only one of them! The Titans didn't want to lose him for starters...