Broncos forward Xavier Willison says he’s settled in Brisbane with his young family and hopes to commit his long-term future to the NRL club. Willison claimed the Paul Morgan Medal on Monday night as Brisbane’s player of the season, ending Payne Haas‘ six-year stranglehold on the club’s top gong.
Willison averaged a career-high 124 run metres and scored seven tries in 2026, and was one of few bright spots for the club in their disappointing premiership defence. The Kiwi Test star was the only Bronco to play in all 24 games and with Haas set to depart for Souths ahead of next season, Willison’s retention has become a major priority for the club.
Broncos forward Xavier Willison is settled in Brisbane with his family and wants to remain long-term after winning the club’s player of the season award on Monday night. Pic: Xavier Willison/Getty
The towering forward is contracted until the end of 2027 but becomes a free agent on November 1, with his value skyrocketing after a standout season. Brisbane will be desperate to lock him down long-term but Willison is in the process of changing management companies, meaning contract talks have been put on hold for the time being.
Willison has been linked with a switch to player agent Ahmad Merhi, who also manages Haas. And there have even been suggestions in recent weeks that he could follow Haas to the Rabbitohs in 2028, with the cashed-up PNG Chiefs among other potential suitors for the 24-year-old.
Xavier Willison wants to stay at Broncos long-term
But Willison has hosed down the speculation around his future, and insists he wants to stay in Brisbane, where he is settled with his partner and child. “I am happy to wait,” he said. “My daughter was born in Brisbane so I would love to stay here and I would love to build my family here.”
Xavier Willison (L) won the Broncos’ player of the season award to end Payne Haas’ (R, centre) six-year stranglehold on the Paul Morgan Medal. Pic: Broncos/Getty
Haas’ departure means Willison’s importance to Brisbane will be even greater in 2027. And after winning Brisbane’s top individual award this year – off the back of last season’s premiership triumph – he’s hungry for more success at the Broncos.
“The people that have won (the Paul Morgan Medal) in the past have been Broncos greats and I have always aspired to be one,” he added. “It is a huge honour. I was looking on the trophy and all I can see is Payne Haas. What he has done for the club is so special. It was so good to learn off him.”
with AAP