The Brisbane Broncos have officially secured the signature of promising young halfback Tom Duffy, prying him away from the North Queensland Cowboys in a move set to shake up Queensland rugby league dynamics. The 22-year-old playmaker will make the switch south for the 2026 season, where he’ll join a Broncos squad brimming with both experience and emerging talent.
Duffy’s move comes after struggling to break into the Cowboys’ first-grade side, where he found himself stuck behind Tom Dearden, Jake Clifford, and Jaxon Purdue in the halves pecking order. Despite limited NRL appearances, his talent at state level has been undeniable—last season he was crowned QLD Cup Halfback of the Year after producing an astonishing 33 try assists across the competition. With 50 QLD Cup games already under his belt and experience as a former Australian Schoolboys representative, Duffy arrives with pedigree and plenty of promise.
At Brisbane, the challenge will be fierce. Current Broncos captain Adam Reynolds and veteran Ben Hunt are both expected to retire at the end of 2026, while five-eighth Ezra Mam remains locked in until 2029. That leaves Duffy in direct competition with fellow rising talent Coby Black for the future number seven jersey. His one-year contract in 2026 may serve as an audition to prove he belongs in the long-term plans at Red Hill.
Speaking on the move, Duffy said he was excited to learn from two of the NRL’s most experienced halves.
“It’s pretty appealing to me having Reynolds and Hunt, two 300-game halfbacks there,” Duffy said. “I think there’s probably not a better club to go to at the moment as a half if you want to develop your game.”
Broncos general manager of football Troy Thomson welcomed the signing, stressing that the timing was perfect for Duffy to make the switch.
“Tom’s a great young talent and he’s consistently shown that over the years as he’s progressed through the ranks,” Thomson said. “It’s the perfect time for him to come down to the Broncos and learn off Reyno (Adam Reynolds) and Hunty (Ben Hunt), who will help shape his career. We can’t wait to welcome him to the Broncos family and provide him with the support he needs to fulfil his potential.”
The move underscores Brisbane’s long-term vision: balancing established veterans with emerging stars who can carry the club forward. For Tom Duffy, 2026 will be a defining year—a chance to prove he can step out of the shadow of others and establish himself as a playmaker to watch in the NRL.
