Former Canberra Raiders enforcer Dunamis Lui could find a new home at the Brisbane Broncos as the club casts a wide net to start its rebuild.
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Broncos football manager Ben Ikin confirmed Brisbane has been in discussions about bringing in former Canberra prop Dunamis Lui.
The 31-year-old was unsigned by the Raider after their abject 2021 campaign, with the Samoa international since returning home to Brisbane.
Lui, who started his career with the Broncos and had spells with Manly and St George Illawarra, played 89 games for Canberra and represented Queensland in the 2020 State of Origin series. Lui could be lining up on a pre-season training deal, with the Broncos to mix their stars with a small group of players still clinging to their dream of a future in the NRL.
While headline off-season recruits Adam Reynolds and Kurt Capewell won't be back for a few weeks yet, many of Brisbane's top-30 squad will return for testing on Monday before being thrown into the deep end on Tuesday.
Among those arriving at the club's Red Hill HQ are a group of players on $1000-a-week train-and-trial contracts.
For a club like the Broncos, it's a free hit on a player with potential who may have fallen out of favour or been hampered by injury.
For the player, it's an opportunity to impress, knowing that with a bit of hard work they can possibly land a longer-term contract and a return to the NRL.
"It's not a perfect science but you want guys with a mix of natural ability and a competitive desire," Ikin said.
"Sometimes that can diminish later in your career but with the right opportunity it can come bubbling back to the surface.
"The train-and-trial extends that opportunity for guys who are willing to work hard enough."
The train-and-trial extends that opportunity for guys who are willing to work hard enough
- Broncos football manager Ben Ikin
Brisbane have earmarked one spot on their roster as a carrot dangling before the players they have signed on train-and-trial contracts.
Back-rower Leivaha Pulu, who last played NRL for the Warriors in 2019, and former Newcastle and Gold Coast five-eighth Tyrone Roberts are among those who the Broncos have given the platform to reignite their careers.
Recently-released Canterbury forward Chris Smith and ex-Manly prop Zac Saddler have also been handed train-and-trial contracts, while centre Delouise Hoeter and winger Ethan Quai-Ward have been rewarded for their impressive form in the Queensland Cup. "Albert Kelly came through that route with us last year as did Karmichael Hunt," Ikin said.
"That's the thing for guys who still think they have something to give, leaving that spot open is a great reward for someone who's prepared to put in the work and show they are capable of still playing at NRL level."
