IN-DEMAND Brisbane centre James Roberts did his chances of a rich new NRL deal no harm with a double in the Broncos’ big win over Canterbury.

The Broncos smashed the Bulldogs 42-12 on Thursday night, with Roberts’ two tries part of a second-half onslaught that all but ended their opponent’s finals hopes.

The 24-year-old is off contract at the end of the year and has reportedly been approached by at least five other NRL clubs as he seeks a significant rise from his current $300,000 per season deal.

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Round 20

Roberts’ manager Jeremy Donovan has said he won’t accept less than he is worth just to stay at Red Hill, where seven of his teammates have recommitted to the Broncos in the last four months as coach Wayne Bennett lays the foundation for a premiership charge.

Kodi Nikorima, who signed a three-year extension this week, said he has been pestering Roberts to follow their lead.

“I’ve been in his ear for the last couple of weeks now, telling him to re-sign,” he said.

“I feel like we’ve got something we can do, something great we can build on. I hope he re-signs.

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“He had a lot of off-field issues but I feel like he’s grown up and really matured into the player everyone knows he can be.”

Roberts took his season tally to 13 tries after his latest effort against the Bulldogs, running 13 times for 149m, showcasing his blistering speed on a number of occasions.

“All we’ve got to do is get him the ball and he does the rest,” Nikorima said. “He’ll build on that.

“The one thing he’s improved on, James, is his talk. It goes unnoticed out there but the boys definitely feel it.”

The win took Brisbane to second place on the NRL ladder as they prepare to take on Parramatta in Sydney next week.

Captain Darius Boyd is due back from injury, meaning Bennett will have to find another spot for Nikorima, who had a solid game filling in at fullback.

Bennett said Nikorima, set to take over from Ben Hunt as halfback next season, was no guarantee of even being in the squad.

“If he doesn’t think I’ll be the next picked, that’s his call,” Nikorima said.

“I’ll back him 100 per cent. I love this team, I love this club. Whatever he decides, I’ll just go with it.”