Broncos

Manly coach Des Hasler has reshuffled his backline with Reuben Garrick now the man to replace the injured Tom Trbojevic.

The race to the Broncos starting hooker spot is on after Cory Paix was named on the bench following Billy Walters’ promotion to five-eighth.

Meanwhile, the Eels’ decision to replace Bryce Cartwright who starred against the Dragons with Mitch Rein is under the microscope.

THURSDAY APRIL 7

Newcastle Knights vs Manly Sea Eagles at McDonald Jones Stadium, 7.50pm

Speaking on Fox League’s Podcast, Tate believes there are issues surrounding the Broncos’ recruitment and retention that could see them struggle to make the finals for the foreseeable future.

“I think there is bigger issues at the Broncos,” Tate said on The Fox League podcast.

“I picked it up in the trial match against the Cowboys in Mackay in their final hitout before the season started. “The Cowboys towelled them up and towelled them up really well.

Cowboys enforcer Jason Taumalolo and Titans wrecking ball David Fifita are the only forwards in the NRL on $1 million a season.

Haas has played 64 NRL games since debuting with the Broncos in 2018 and made seven appearances for the Blues and two for Australia.

The 22-year-old is in line to earn $798,000 in 2023 and $848,000 in 2024, but his management wants those figures “bumped up”, according to reporter Danny Weidler.

Rugby League Phil Gould supremo argued against Haas being worth $1 million dollars.

The premiers Penrith are adamant gun halfback Nathan Cleary will be given right up until game day to prove he’s good to go for the season-opener against Manly.

But as we know with the champion Penrith and NSW halfback, where there’s a will there’s a way.

Cleary has timed his rehabilitation to the millisecond to the point where there’s every chance he’s out there to take on Tommy Turbo and the Sea Eagles.

Can the Panthers become only the second team in 25 seasons to go back-to-back?

The club was linked to Broncos’ goalkicking back Jamayne Isaako earlier this week as well as Broncos veteran Corey Oates.

Triple M’s Ben Dobbin reported on Wednesday that the Eels are “100 per cent” keen on Isaako and the Broncos “wouldn’t stand in his way.” All that needs to happen now is for a conversation between the two clubs to happen.

Selwyn Cobbo crashed over in the corner to get the Broncos off to a dream start after just six minutes.

However the Titans hit back with a try to halfback Sexton to take the lead after 13 minutes of action.

A breakaway long-range try from a rampaging Treymain Spry extended the Titans lead to 12-4 in the second quarter.

In his return from injury Kotoni Staggs produced a brilliant step to score just before halftime to cut the deficit to four points.

Spry came up with his second try of the night after halftime to make it 16-8 to the Titans.

While some clubs use trials to give squad players game time and try out new combinations, a whole host of new signings will be eager to run out for their new clubs.

Nicho Hynes and Dale Finucane are yet to appear in a Sharks jersey, while Matt Burton, Tevita Pangai Jnr and Josh Addo-Carr will be itching to don the famous Bulldogs colours.

So far only the Storm, Cowboys, Bulldogs and Rabbitohs have confirmed their teams for this weekend’s games.

ROOSTERS vs RAIDERS — Friday, February 18: 6pm

Meanwhile, the Broncos have a fight on their hands to keep one of their brightest prospects and a Panthers star’s manager wants answers from the club.

RIVALS CIRCLE UNDERRATED PANTHER

Paul Momirovski looks at home at right centre for the Panthers, but the 25-year-old could end up in new colours next season with three clubs reportedly interested in the premiership-winner’s services.

At just 21 years of age, Haas joins legends Darren Lockyer, Corey Parker and Petero Civoniceva as three-time winners of the club’s most prestigious on-field award.

Only Allan Langer has won the medal more times. The diminutive halfback took out the award five times, including four in a row from 1993-96.

Haas becomes the only Bronco since Langer to win the Paul Morgan Medal for three consecutive seasons.

With only two games remaining - against the Raiders and the Titans - the Warriors will be relying on other results to go their way if they are to make the top eight.

They were punished for a slow start at Suncorp Stadium, going 12-0 down after 25 minutes.

The Broncos' Storm-bound winger Xavier Coates provided Brisbane with a glimpse of what they'll be missing next year with two well-taken first-half tries.