BRISBANE fullback Josh Hoffman is a surprise candidate for the Broncos five-eighth role after rejecting a straight-swap proposal to replace Ben Barba at Canterbury next season.

The Broncos’ man-of-the-moment, Hoffman ignited Brisbane’s finals charge last Friday night with a demolition of the Eels that vindicated his return to the backfield a month ago.

A pay rise now beckons for Hoffman, who has an agreement with the Broncos that he is eligible for an upgrade if the NRL’s salary-cap rises above $5.5 million, which will occur next season.

But with Barba tipped to join the Broncos on a four-year deal from next season, Hoffman’s permanency in his preferred fullback position is under a cloud.

The Courier-Mail understands Hoffman wearing the No. 6 jumper is one option to accommodate Barba at fullback in 2014.

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The 25-year-old played much of his junior football at five-eighth and Broncos coach Anthony Griffin flagged the possibility when he met with Hoffman last month to discuss his shift from wing to fullback.

It can also be revealed a Bulldogs official contacted Hoffman’s management eight weeks ago as Canterbury explored contingency plans in the event they granted Barba a release.

media_camera Josh Hoffman takes a high ball against the Eels.

But Hoffman spurned the Bulldogs’ inquiry and is committed to honouring his Broncos deal, which expires at the end of 2015, even if Barba arrives at Red Hill.

“Josh wants to stay, he’s a good club man and we won’t be asking for a release if Barba comes to the club,” Hoffman’s manager Paul Hogan said.

“In an ideal world, Josh would play fullback but he has his heart set on playing 100 games for the Broncos.

“He is pretty settled at the moment in Brisbane, he and his partner have just had a baby.

“When he comes back from the World Cup (in November), we will know exactly what’s happening with the Barba stuff and the Anthony Milford situation.

“But Josh is due to get a pay rise and the Broncos have treated him well in that regard ... it would be an upgrade well deserved with the way he’s playing.”

Since his return to fullback against the Cowboys a month ago, Hoffman has been in devastating touch, amassing 611 running metres at an average of 152 per game.

For Hoffman, it is a form burst partly inspired by the birth of daughter Leilani Grace last month. The name is a tribute to Hoffman’s mother Grace, who died tragically of a brain aneurism just weeks before Christmas in 2009.

“I always dreamed of starting a family and having a baby girl has given me perspective about life,” Hoffman said.

“I wish Mum was here to see her granddaughter.

“For me, there is more to life than football now. I’m really enjoying fatherhood and that is helping my football.”

Hogan said Hoffman had the power, size and skill-set to succeed at five-eighth.

“Josh has a lot more strings to his bow than many people realise,” he said.

“`Hook’ (Griffin) has mentioned the possibility of Josh playing six at some stage and he would certainly give consideration to that.

“Josh was a six in the juniors in Mackay and he played inside-centre in rugby union so he would have no issues going to five-eighth if that’s want the Broncos want.”

Originally published as Hoffman turns down Barba swap