Battling NRL club Brisbane must sign Canberra playmaker Aidan Sezer “tomorrow” if they are to start reversing their fortunes, Andrew Johns says.
Some of Brisbane’s biggest names may not appear in their 2020 NRL season opener after a sobering end of season review in the wake of their humiliating finals exit.
But Andrew Johns is convinced one player must be in their 17 if the former glamour club wants to bounce back next year – Canberra playmaker Aidan Sezer.
Captain Darius Boyd and veteran hooker Andrew McCullough were reportedly told on Wednesday by coach Anthony Seibold that they are not in his round one plans for next year and have “lost the right to wear the jersey”.
There is also speculation Brisbane will allow injury-plagued ex-Cronulla premiership winner Jack Bird to leave a year early if he receives rival offers in a bid to free up salary cap space to re-sign the likes of David Fifita.
And Anthony Milford also appears at a crossroads after Broncos director Darren Lockyer put the $1 million-a-season fullback on notice amid rumours Brisbane would make a play for NFL hopeful and ex-Sharks flyer Valentine Holmes.
While plenty of team changes appear on the cards there seems to be no quick fix for Brisbane after their embarrassing 58-0 elimination final loss to Parramatta.
But rugby league Immortal Johns reckoned Brisbane could take the first step by signing a quality halfback – Sezer.
Teenager Tom Dearden is being groomed as Brisbane’s long term No.7 however Johns believed the Broncos must sign Sezer ASAP.
Sezer, 28, is not off contract at the Raiders until 2020 but Johns believed he may be tempted to leave if provided the right offer with English halfback George Williams vying for his position when he lobs in Canberra next year.
“If Brisbane have any nous, they’d be buying Aidan Sezer tomorrow,” he told Wide World of Sports.
Melbourne’s Brodie Croft, Canberra’s Sam Williams, South Sydney’s Cody Walker, Cronulla’s Chad Townsend and UK-based Blake Austin have also been identified as possible No.7 targets.
Either way Brisbane would no doubt welcome a world-class halfback after battling to fill the No.7 jersey since the legendary Allan Langer retired in 2002.
Remarkably, the Broncos have used 22 halfbacks in the 17 seasons since Langer hung up his boots.
And overall they have had 47 halves combinations since winning the last of six titles in 2006.
Brisbane were forced to use makeshift halves Boyd – a representative fullback – and specialist hooker Jake Turpin in 2019 after No.7 Kodi Nikorima left mid-season, pivot Milford moved to fullback and Dearden suffered a foot injury.
Milford showed sparks of brilliance in the No.1 jersey but appears under pressure with speculation not going away that Brisbane will pursue Holmes.
Lockyer admitted Milford would need to work hard in the 2020 pre-season to earn Round 1 selection.
“He’s probably in that category of those senior players that they really need to have a massive off-season for them to cement their spot next year,” he told Wide World of Sports.
Dan
Guest
Where’s Shane Perry? I thought Sean O’Sullivan looked promising but with an ACL injury he’ll be out for most of the season.
Adam
Roar Guru
Yep find a serviceable and reliable 7 and the halves issue really helps itself.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I tend to agree Paul. Sezer has a handy kicking game every few matches, but creates very little outside of a kick. The fact that he has been in and out of Raiders lineup for years, and how the Raiders needed to try Wighton and Hodgson to run the show this year, and the fact they are still going back to England to get another half in Williams, shows you how minimally effective Sezer is to the Raiders game management. Not sure the Broncos would benefit greatly from having Sezer in their ranks ? The good game managing halfbacks are as scarce as hens teeth. I rate today’s good organising NRL halfbacks on just one hand and these are the real million dollar value men …DCE, Cleary, Cronk, Munster & a fading Pearce. The rest are either on their training wheels & clubs have fingers crossed , whilst others are proving to be too inconsistent or will just never have it. Until another good one clearly becomes available, the Broncos might be better off hoping Deardon or another junior can develop into the right man for them ?
Flexis
Roar Rookie
Been a few options touted for who the Broncos should sign. None of them suitable in my opinion. We need consistency in the No.7 jersey. First and for most in terms of selection. But also in form. Personally I’d prefer a back to basics half and let Milford do his thing outside them.
Nat
Roar Guru
I do think Sezer is a decent half but I don't think the Broncos need him. It is widely recognised the amount of quality halves scattered through the NRL over the last decade that Brisbane have let go and they have 3-4 high quality halves under contract playing ISP. They can buy another decent 28yo or put some faith in the next 20yo or have them tear you apart for another club in 2 yrs.
Paul
Roar Guru
Forgive my ignorance but what exactly will Sezar bring to the Broncos? Maybe he does a lot of behind the scenes work, because I can't recall him taking a game by the scruff of the neck as a Wighton or Hodgson have done. Happy to be enlightened, but Sezar going north will hurt not help the Broncos, IMO.
Randy
Roar Rookie
i'll reserve judgement on Sezer until the end of the finals but he hasn't exactly set the world alight at the Raiders. I think his try assists are very low this year. In saying that I don't think Stuart has used him right. He could be a very good organiser and on his day I rate him as probably in the top 3 kicking games in the NRL, which is bizarre when Wighton and Hodgson do so much of the kicking at the Raiders.