Dec 9th, 2019

Dec 9th, 2019

New signing Brodie Croft is being considered as a huge chance to be named shock captain of the Broncos next season.

Croft is only 22 and has less than 50 top grade games to his credit at the Melbourne Storm since debuting in 2016.

But coach Anthony Seibold has a real problem with finding a player capable of leading the rudderless Broncos - and is considering throwing Croft, who will be the team's playmaker, into the hot seat.

Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold (R) may roll the dice on Brodie Croft as captain. (Getty)

Last year's skipper, Darius Boyd, has been told he won't be re-appointed after struggling during the club's season from hell in 2019.

And there are problems with all the other senior players who are contenders for the job.

Veteran back-rower Alex Glenn and Andrew McCullough will both struggle to make the Broncos team when they are at full strength.

And the appointment of prop Matt Lodge, who has some support, would create a mass of controversy given his messy past off the field.

That leaves Croft, a mature youngster who only joined the club in recent weeks and has been handed the playmaking role that created such problems for the Broncos last season.

He hasn't got the job yet - but is likely to be given a go in the trials to see how he handles the pressure situation under fire.

Ex-Melbourne Storm halfback and Brisbane Broncos recruit Brodie Croft. (AAP)

DRUG BOMBSHELL SET TO BREAK

One of the league's biggest names in the last 20 years is facing serious drugs supply charges.

The player, now retired, can't be named on the instructions of the judge handling the case - for the moment. But he was arrested last week and appeared in court before being granted bail.

But he will be back before the judge soon and is then likely to be 'outed' - and make front page news.

The case is no fault of the NRL - it did the right thing by the player during his long career - but the incident will give the game another black eye nonetheless because of the man concerned's high profile.

THOMPSON'S NEW MANLY DEAL

Popular forward Joel Thompson has given Manly a massive boost by agreeing to a new two-year deal with the club.

A few months ago, Thompson was set to quit the club and play out his career in England.

He then agreed to stay for another season, in August, but has now extended that deal until the end of 2021.

It's been an eventful off-season for Thompson, who suffered serious head knocks after a mysterious accident in October.

He has sworn off the drink for 12 months in the wake of that incident and his decision to stay at the club for another two years is a huge bonus for Manly's young forwards, who all look up to him.

Joel Thompson has been re-signed by Manly. (Getty)

HASTINGS GOES COLD ON WIGAN

All is not well between English glamour club Wigan and marquee signing Jackson Hastings - before he has even played a game for his new team.

After leaving Australia with his career in tatters, the son of Roosters legend Kevin Hastings joined battlers Salford last year and rebuilt his career.

He won the Man of Steel - England's equivalent of the Dally M Medal - this year and moved to big-spenders Wigan.

But I'm hearing Hastings isn't happy with aspects of the deal and may want out.

Several NRL clubs are keen on Hastings now he has proved his worth but he is likely to stay in England - now possibly not with Wigan - before returning home in 2021.