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Broncos keep Kotoni Staggs in rare NRL win

3 minute read

Brisbane's recruitment and retention has copped plenty of recent hits but they can celebrate a win with the long-term re-signing of strike centre Kotoni Staggs.

KOTONI STAGGS of the Broncos.
KOTONI STAGGS of the Broncos. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

Kotoni Staggs has finally shut the door on a potential Brisbane exit, committing to the Broncos for another four years in a rare recruitment win for the battling NRL club.

Last year's Dally M centre of the year has been rehabilitating a knee injury on the sidelines this season while rival clubs fought hard with the Broncos for his signature.

Coach Kevin Walters made Staggs a priority signing and eventually got his man, with the 22-year-old announced on a deal that will keep him at the club until the end of 2025.

His retention comes after the club lost David Fifita last season and emerging talents Tom Dearden and Reece Walsh already this season.

Twenty-year-old winger Xavier Coates is also being heavily pursued by the Melbourne Storm although Brisbane have re-signed Jordan Riki and another emerging talent Brendan Piakura this season.

Walters is also in the market for an experienced half and there is a chance Staggs could be given a chance in a playmaking role once he returns later this year.

The coach said Staggs had "grown up watching the Broncos win premierships and wants to win one himself".

"My future is here at the Broncos - I've always been told to chase my dream and my dream as a young kid was to be here at the Broncos, and I'm going to be here for another four years - I'm really happy," Staggs said.

"We've got a lot to look forward to as a club ... I want to continue to grow and help the younger players out and be a leader and a mentor."

Staggs has been caught in two separate drunken off-field incidents in the last year while he was also a victim of a revenge porn scandal.

"I've made mistakes off the field but I'm learning my lessons and from here onwards I want to be the best person I can be and be a role model, it's up to me to get my head in the right place and move forward," he said.

"I'm here to send a message out to the fans that I'm here to stay at the Brisbane Broncos, this is the club that I always dreamed of playing for and it's my home."

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