Broncos Academy talent elevated to 2023 NRL squad

Author: broncos.com.au
Timestamp: Sun 6 Nov 2022, 06:08 PM

Broncos Academy products Xavier Willison, Deine Mariner and Blake Mozer have all been promoted to the NRL Squad for the 2023 season – expanding the number of players in the club’s Top-30 who have graduated from Brisbane's elite development pathways to 20.

Centre Mariner made his NRL debut last season, prop Willison got his First Grade stripes in 2021 before a knee injury saw him sidelined, while hooker Mozer stepped up to Hostplus Cup in 2022 playing a handful of games for Broncos affiliate Souths Logan Magpies.

The exciting trio join another 17 players already in the Broncos NRL 2023 squad to have made their way through the club’s Academy or NYC pathways – namely Pat Carrigan, Selwyn Cobbo, Ezra Mam, Payne Haas, Tom Flegler, Jordan Riki, Reece Walsh, Kobe Hetherintgton, Cory Paix, TC Robati, Kotoni Staggs, Herbie Farnworth, Corey Oates, Kurt Capewell, Tesi Niu, Keenan Palasia and Brendan Piakura.

Broncos Head of Recruitment & Academy Simon Scanlan said: “Xavier was recruited into the Broncos Academy as a 15-year-old from Hamilton, New Zealand and he moved over to the Gold Coast to complete his last two years of schooling. He is a very diligent trainer with a great work ethic.

"Blake began in our junior development program as a 13-year-old and progressed into the Academy the year he turned 15. He has worked extremely hard through his years in the program and now begins his journey into senior football.

"Deine also joined the Academy as a 15-year-old from Auckland – he is blessed with his athletic qualities and has graduated into the NRL squad on the back of his willingness to work hard.

"The Academy staff quietly go about their business and do a wonderful job of identifying, recruiting and developing the next generation of players for the club.

"The junior landscape is extremely competitive with all NRL clubs having a recruitment presence in Southeast Queensland.

Our players are afforded high quality coaching, training & mentoring to give them the best chance of reaching their goal of one day becoming a professional rugby league player.
Simon Scanlan Head of Recruitment & Academy

"Not only is the majority of the Broncos squad from the Academy but we also have plenty of graduates who have gone on to build a successful career at other NRL clubs and codes."

In other additions to the Broncos NRL Squad for the upcoming season, outside back Ethan Quai-Ward and prop Logan Bayliss have also been promoted from last year’s development list.

Fullback Reece Walsh and playmaker Jock Madden both join the squad on contracts already announced, while Jesse Arthars returns for 2023 as expected after spending last season with the Warriors as part of a loan agreement.