THE Brisbane Broncos have given us a sneak peek at their new training facility: A $26 million colossus modelled on the NFL.

That and more in the latest edition of NRL Confidential!

INSIDE THE BRONCOS’ CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

It doesn’t open until late January but foxsports.com.au was given an exclusive tour of Brisbane’s new $26 million training and administration centre.

Round 19

Players started frequenting the facility in December which has a state of the art gym and recovery facilities.

Modelled off the Don Hutson Center, NFL’s Green Bay Packers’ indoor practice facility, the Broncos’ headquarters has all the trimmings.

The indoor gym features a physio room, cardio room, crossfit area, Olympic lifting area and wrestling zone.

Inside the Brisbane Broncos' new headquarters. Source: Supplied

Inside the Brisbane Broncos' new headquarters. Source: Supplied

The gym itself is impressive but the added extras take it to another level with the dumbbells fitted with the Broncos logo.

Behind the weights room is their recovery area which includes a lap pool, ice baths, spa baths, a sauna and dark room kitted out with bunk beds.

The players’ common room has a strict ‘food policy’ but plenty of toys including gaming consoles and ping-pong table.

The changing room is another part of the centre inspired by the Packers.

Every player has their own locker, with star recruit Jack Bird’s next to coach Wayne Bennett. Also next to the coach is new prop Matt Lodge, who has Bennett on his left and Josh McGuire on his right.

The training facility is on the ground floor, while the players’ rooms are on level one with the admin. The coaching staff and media crew are based on level one with the coach’s office overlooking the training field directly next to the gym.

To the naked eye, it’s a rectangular field with nets erected to the fence along the sideline to catch stray balls but it’s in fact a to-scale replica field of Suncorp Stadium.

The new facility is in Red Hill, across the road from their old facility which will be used for their juniors and pathways programs.

Inside the Brisbane Broncos' new headquarters. Source: Supplied

Above level one is for the heavy hitters like CEO Paul White.

This level is where their boardroom is located. On the balls are the names of every player to have ever laced a boot for the Broncos, while a giant glass black tinted logo has been secured to the ceiling above the board table.

Between level one and two is level 1.5, which is a giant dining area with a balcony and barbecue.

But the new HQ, which is located on the site of a former TAFE isn’t all about the players.

The facility has a heavy community focus.

The team’s footage room for game review and meetings is located next to a learning centre where the club can host schoolchildren.

The classroom-like set-up will see plenty of local kids come through the doors next year.

As you can imagine with a facility of this magnitude, every detail has been covered off.

There’s a museum featuring the club’s trophies in the lobby and cafe area for fans to sit at and observe training.

The players have private parking at the rear of the complex and even have a basketball hoop so they can shoot some baskets in their down time.

WARRIORS TO SIGN WIGAN STAR?

The player responsible for the bizarre charge down of a Corey Parker’s shot at goal in 2015 could be coming to the NRL.

A report in the NZ Herald suggests Wigan centre Anthony Gelling is on the verge of signing on with the Warriors for 2018.

Anthony Gelling of Wigan in action. Source: Supplied

After being granted a release from his contract with Wigan to return to his native New Zealand, The Herald reports Gelling has been training with the Warriors and in talks to sign a 12 month deal.

Gelling, who played NSW Cup for the Warriors early in his career, has moved home to be with his partner who was involved in a serious car accident.

Since moving to England, Gelling has won a Super League grand final, World Club Challenge and scored 52 tries in 115 games.

‘BABE IN A BAR’

Denan Kemp’s brew is growing a reputation for being a good drop with several NRL stars enjoying some cold ones during the off-season.

But it’s not just footy stars enjoying a beer with Schapelle Corby tucking into frothie.

Kemp shared this photo on Instagram with the hashtag #babeinabar.

Schapelle Corby with 'bloke in a bar' beer. Source: Instagram

GYPSY’S FUNNY FAREWELL TO THOMMO

St George Illawarra winger Jason Nightingale has taken to Instagram to farewell Joel Thompson following the backrower’s move to Manly.

As revealed by Tyson Frizell to foxsports.com.au last season, Nightingale dubbed Thompson the “toughest man in rubgy league” after the forward played through a host of niggling injuries including floating bone in his elbow.

Take at look at the below video, fittingly featuring a bit of R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts”.

Still at the Dragons, congratulations to young forward Hame Sele and his partner Maria on the birth of their daughter Valentina Rose.

Sele, 21, made his NRL debut for the Red V in 2017 and went on to play 15 games.

He also made his first senior representative team in NSW City for the final Country-City game.

Dragons forward Hame Sele and his partner welcome their child into the world. Source: Twitter

KONI’S CLASSIC SLEDGE

Konrad Hurrell is known for being a jokester, and Gold Coast centre could help but offer up a few choice words about teammate Jarrod Wallace at a press conference this week.

“Jarrod Wallace hasn’t done anything all pre-season,” Hurrell laughed.

“He’ll be the number one prop for Burleigh so he’ll be good.”

.@konmanhurrell isn’t impressed with the contribution Jarrod Wallace has made on the paddock since his return to training #thrunthru pic.twitter.com/sx6kfVkofk — Gold Coast Titans (@GCTitans) January 9, 2018

Also at the Titans, the club this week welcomed UFC fighter and former Roosters junior Tai ‘Bam Bam’ Tuivasa in for some wrestling training.

Garth Brennan with UFC heavy hitter Tai Tuivasa. Source: Instagram

FROM THE FIELD TO THE WAVES

A group of Newcastle players have launched their own clothing brand.

Newcastle players launch their own clothing brand. Source: Instagram

Kalyn Ponga, Nathan Ross, Tom Hughes, Lachlan Fitzgibbon and Connor Watson have combined their love of the surf and clothing to produce ‘The Barrel Boys’.

In what started as surfing trips has transformed into clothing with the fellas launching their own website last week.

You can check out their clothing by clicking here!

LET THE BANTER BEGIN

The season is still a while away from kicking off but that doesn’t mean the clubs can’t have a bit of fun.

The Tigers don’t play the Sharks until round 14 but they’ve thrown the first shot ahead of the match-up.

The Shakrs posted a photo of Wade Graham on their Instagram account of the skipper in waiting calling fans to renew their membership but he had his elbow on a program featuring the Tigers.

Wade Graham picture with his elbow on the Tigers logo. Source: Twitter

A VISITOR OUT WEST

Nathan Cleary posted this photo on his Instagram account during the week.

It appears the Penrith Panthers had a visitor at training.

A snake was spotted inside the gym on what was a blistering hot day.