Test lock Josh McGuire has been granted a release from the final two years of his NRL contract to sign a four-year deal with North Queensland.
North Queensland will head into the 2019 NRL season with arguably the strongest forward pack in the competition after signing Australian lock Josh McGuire to a four-year deal.
McGuire was on Monday released from the final two seasons of his Brisbane contract to take up a rich deal with the Cowboys worth a reported $3.2 million.
The Queensland and Test back-rower will add significant weight to a Cowboys forward unit which already features the likes of Jason Taumalolo, Matt Scott, Jordan McLean, Coen Hess and Gavin Cooper.
MORE TO COME
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Cowboys pack looks very strong for next year... but then again, their pack looked strong at the beginning of this past season as well. They have to step up!
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
This off season has been pretty unusual for how many key players are still off contract. Of course it’s possible we now know why Parra were holding off on Hayne though they say they found out the same time as us, there’s still Cam Smith, John Sutton, and a small host of other stars seeking releases or awaiting a contract. Then we have the madness going on in the coaching ranks.
Nat
Roar Guru
You're right in the way this has played out. Nearly as if they were aware of this possibility and purposely waited on signing Lodge, TPJ and Oates (although the latter 2 have verbally committed). It's highly unusual they leave 3 of their best unsigned so far into the off season.
Matt P
Roar Rookie
True, but he at least still had experience. If it’s just McGuire then yeah, one player isn’t the end of the world. We don’t exactly have the best record for player retention though. Hah! True enough!
Emcie
Roar Guru
Dunno if I'd include sims in that list, he was exactly reliable game to game. Can't see the broncs releasing two players early unless it's absolutely necessary and the way Mooses exit played out so smoothly makes it feel more like an arranged marriage then an elopement. Guess we'll see how it plays out, but at least there appears to be some wriggle room if adjustments need to be made,and I hear there's some nice south Sydney forwards off contract for 2020 ;)
Matt P
Roar Rookie
Maybe, but I wouldn’t count on Gillett being even 75% next season. Glenn might still have time on his contract, but it’s not like that matters anymore if someone really wants him. Kahu potentially moving on is one thing, he is unfortunately expendable, but we’ve lost too much experience in between Thaiday, Sims, and McGuire imo.
Emcie
Roar Guru
There's still Macca and Gillett and Glen isn't actually off contract till 2020 so it's not like it'll be a bunch of complete rookies. At least we'll have a season to work out what holes will need to be plugged if Glen does move on
Matt P
Roar Rookie
I'd love to know what's going on in the heads of the Broncs management. Surely even one of them has enough brains to realise that there's no point having a boom young forward pack if there's nobody around with enough experience to lead them. We'd better hope that we can keep Glenn and McCullough now, because if we don't the only forward we'd have left with good experience is Gillett, and he's coming back from a neck injury.
PNG Broncos fan88
Roar Guru
Moose will be missed, as was Blair this year. The team will leak points straight up the middle, have no doubts about it. Only saving grace from this (I hope) is that the club retains TPJ, Oates and Lodge...whilst also signing Johnson from the Warriors to partner Nikorima in the halves. Milford to fullback with the impending pre-season injury/retirement of Boyd.