Tevita Pangai may have played his last game for Brisbane after being given permission by the club to explore his options on the open market.
The Australian understands there is every chance Pangai could move before the August 1 deadline with Wests Tigers known to be monitoring the situation and interested in signing the powerhouse forward. Even if he sees out the season, it appears highly unlikely that Pangai will be at the club next year despite having another season remaining on his deal.
It is understood that Pangai’s management met Broncos officials recently to ask whether he had a future at the club. The Broncos told Pangai they were not ready to offer him an extension, prompting his management to seek permission to explore alternative options. It is understood the club granted that permission earlier this week and things have moved rapidly to the point where Pangai’s appearance against South Sydney on Thursday night may have been his last game in a Brisbane jersey.
The Broncos are in the thick of a roster rebuild and will use Pangai’s money to strengthen their spine and add more leadership to their squad. His expected departure will end a tumultuous time at the Broncos for Pangai. At times, he has been destructive. At others, he has appeared distracted. The Broncos have done their best to extract the best from Pangai, most notably when they stood by him last season after he found himself in trouble for his behaviour off the field. Rather than sack Pangai for multiple breaches of the Covid regulations, they provided him with a mentor and honoured his deal. However, it appears the club has finally opted to cut their losses with the 25-year-old as they seek to free up funds to rebuild the club. Chief executive Dave Donaghy is understood to have rubber-stamped the decision as the oversees an overhaul of the biggest club in the game.
The former Storm chief executive has quickly shown he is willing to make big calls if he believes it is in the club’s best interests and there are more coming — Matt Lodge’s future at the Broncos remains in doubt as he edges towards a move, potentially to the Warriors.
The Broncos have already signed South Sydney captain Adam Reynolds for next season and have been linked with Canberra hooker Josh Hodgson, although it is understood no formal talks have taken place.
News of Pangai’s likely departure comes as Canterbury prepare to make a final call on whether to pursue Shaun Johnson. Money won’t be an issue for the Bulldogs after they struck a deal that will allow Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to join the Warriors with immediate effect.
Watene-Zelezniak is expected to link with the Warriors until the end of 2024, having initially attracted interest from the Tigers. While the Tigers were unable to get a deal done — they instead signed Ken Maumalo — the Warriors reached an agreement with the Bulldogs for Watene-Zelezniak to move straight away.
Watene-Zelezniak had one year remaining on a deal with the Bulldogs that was due to pay him upwards of $800,000. It is understood the Bulldogs will foot a large chunk of that bill next season, but in doing so they have removed one of their highest earners from their cap at a time when they are attempting to reshape their squad.
It could yet lead them to Johnson. The Bulldogs have had preliminary talks with his management and are expected to make a final decision whether to sign the Kiwis international once they have an idea of his asking price.
Privately, the Johnson camp are bullish about a deal being done and Johnson continuing his career in the NRL at Belmore. To that end, it is understood his management has agreed to come back to the club in coming days with an idea of his demands.
Having initially pursued a two-year deal worth close to $1.6 million, it is understood Johnson could be willing to accept closer to $1 million for the same period.
The Bulldogs have the financial muscle to comfortably accommodate that but have other considerations to also weigh up, including the presence of Kyle Flanagan and the form of Jake Averillo, who starred in their win over St George Illawarra last weekend. It is understood Flanagan sought assurances over his future in recent weeks amid talk that Johnson was on the club’s radar. He was told he did indeed have a place at the club, although Johnsons potential arrival would mean he would face serious competition for the No.7 jersey. With Penrith’s Matt Burton on the way and the club also pursuing Melbourne hooker Brandon Smith, the Bulldogs could quickly field a spine the envy of many in the NRL.
The Warriors are working towards doing the same as they maintain their interest in former St George Illawarra half Gareth Widdop.
