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Broncos players linked to Cowboys switch in fallout to Reece Robson's NRL move to Roosters

The Cowboys could look to capitalise on Brisbane's salary cap squeeze.

ben talintyre
Sports Reporter
·4-min read

The Cowboys may still be licking their wounds from losing star hooker Reece Robson to the Roosters but it has presented the North Queensland club with an opportunity to take advantage of Brisbane's salary cap squeeze. Cowboys coach Todd Payten said the club did everything they could to re-sign Robson but it wasn't enough as the hooker penned a four-year deal with the Tri Colours.

It is a brutal blow to Payten's side after Robson enjoyed a stellar 2024 campaign where he also played all three State of Origin games in NSW's series victory. Robson was most recently part of the Kangaroos' victorious Pacific Championships squad and the Cowboys made it clear retaining him was a priority. North Queensland made the 26-year-old a healthy offer in the offseason but it wasn't enough to keep the tackling machine who joined them in 2020 after a couple of seasons with the Dragons.

Pictured Todd Payten left and Reece Robson right
Todd Payten was unable to convince Reece Robson to remain at the Cowboys. Image: Getty

The move to the Roosters means Robson will live closer to his family, after growing up on the NSW south coast. And it is understood that was a major factor in his decision to leave North Queensland. "We tabled our best possible offer, but unfortunately were not able to compete with the final offer Reece received," Cowboys football boss Micheal Luck said. "Reece now has a young family and we respect his decision. He will continue to be an important member of our squad for 2025 and we look forward to his contributions in his final season at the club."

With the No.9 leaving at year's end, Payten will need to find a new hooker. But on the bright side Payten has a mini war chest available to target some of the most promising players in the league. It is understood North Queensland has around $800,000 to splash and it would make sense for the Cowboys to go shopping at the Broncos, where they can pick from one of six different dummy-half options, all likely at a discounted price.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 29: Billy Walters of the Broncos celebrates a try during the round four NRL match between Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium, on March 29, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Billy Walters could be a main target of the Cowboys as the hooker looks set to lose his position to Ben Hunt. Image: Getty

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After Ben Hunt signed with the Broncos the likelihood is upon Ezra Mam's return he will switch to hooker. This means there is likely no room for the likes of Billy Walters, Tyson Smoothy and especially not backup hooker Cory Paix at Brisbane, three players that will likely be of interest to Payten.

While trying to lure highly touted youngsters Blake Mozer or Cameron Bukowski is also something Payten is sure to look at. And the upcoming season is the perfect time for a raid of their Queensland rivals, with half of Michael Maguire's squad set to come off contract at the end of 2025.

Not only that but the Broncos are set to find themselves in a bit of a pickle come 2026, with Reece Walsh's salary set to double and the likes of Selwyn Cobbo and Kotoni Staggs, who are both off contract come the end of 2025, requiring improved deals to stay at Red Hill.

It means Maguire will likely need to shop around several players in his top-30 squad to hold onto key members of his squad. But it presents the Cowboys with the chance to replicate their shrewd Dearden business by adding a talented youngster such as Walters or Paix who can go to the next level at North Queensland. And the prospect of poaching a talented young Bronco is something Cowboys fans are unsurprisingly excited by.