NRL

It was widely expected Pat Carrigan would replace Adam Reynolds as Brisbane Broncos skipper next season.

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However a surprise candidate has emerged for the top job in the form of beloved utility Billy Walters, with reports in The Courier Mail revealing Carrigan also faces competition from the likes of Ben Hunt, Kotoni Staggs and off-season recruit Mitch Barnett who was co-captain of the New Zealand Warriors in 2026.

With the glamour club needing to turn around a disastrous 2026 campaign, quickly, the Broncos captaincy is one of several key levers Michael Maguire will be looking to pull in order to keep the wolves from his door.

While Carrigan remains favoured for the top job, Maguire has previously made it clear all options are on the table following the retirement of Adam Reynolds, who guided the Broncos to two grand finals and one premiership in his five seasons at Red Hill.

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“Yes, that will all get sorted out when we come back together,” Maguire said of the captaincy vacancy.

“I’m very fortunate that I’ve got quite a number of players that have played in grand final now and have that leadership experience.

“I’m looking forward to the boys having that reset, coming back refreshed, and when the time’s right, I will be watching everybody’s actions.”

‘Billy Walters is a name that just keeps coming up’

Last month former Broncos legend Corey Parker endorsed Billy Walters for the top job next season.

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“When I sit back and I see who has influence on those around him, Billy Walters is a name that just keeps coming up to me,” Parker said on SENQ.

“Whoever they pick will do a great job, but when I think team first, when I think selflessness, when I think communicating towards the general public, when I think of work ethic, when I think of respect, accountability, these sorts of things, it’s something that is just ingrained in Billy Walters.”

Earlier this year 27-year-old centre Kotoni Staggs also revealed he wouldn’t say ‘no’ to the captaincy if Michael Maguire came calling.

“If that ever came up, that opportunity, I definitely wouldn’t turn it down,” Staggs said.

“It’d be an honour to captain this club, a club that I grew up wanting to play for.”

Staggs and Carrigan are currently in camp with the Kangaroos ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.

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