Broncos coach Michael Maguire insists young gun Coby Black is very much part of Brisbane’s future, despite the signing of former Storm playmaker Jonah Pezet from 2027. Pezet agreed a one-year deal to join Parramatta in 2026, before he moves to Brisbane on a three-year deal starting the following season.
Many expect Pezet to succeed Adam Reynolds as Brisbane’s long-term No.7 after the 22-year-old proved this year that he’s ready for a starting halves role in the NRL. Pezet was outstanding for Melbourne while first-choice No.7 Jahrome Hughes was sidelined with injury, and his move to the Eels gives the young playmaker a chance to cement a starting halves role next season.
Broncos coach Michael Maguire (L) says Coby Black (not pictured) remains a big part of the club’s future amid suggestions Craig Bellamy’s (R) Storm could look to sign him. Pic: Getty
But Pezet’s deal with Brisbane from 2027 has thrown the future of Broncos academy star Black up in the air. The 19-year-old has been touted as a future long-term No.7 at Brisbane, and many thought he was being groomed to succeed Reynolds when the champion half eventually retires.
Pezet’s signing has thrown a spanner in the works, and Broncos great Corey Parker suggested Craig Bellamy’s Storm could be one of the rival clubs ready to snap up Black as a result. The talented half is off contract with Brisbane at the end of 2026, meaning he’s a current option on the open market.
“They might need Black for depth but I’m not sure where he could end up,” Parker said on SEN radio. “If someone came knocking for Coby Black, I don’t think the Broncos would stand in his way. The Melbourne Storm could absolutely have a crack at recruiting him.”
Jonah Pezet’s (L) signing with the Broncos from 2027 has raised questions around the future of Brisbane academy star Coby Black (R). Pic: Getty/AAP
Michael Maguire tips big future for Coby Black in Brisbane
But Broncos coach Maguire has thrown his support behind the young gun, and insists the signing of Pezet is not an indication that he’s ‘given up’ on Black. The Brisbane coach has also recruited young half Tom Duffy from the Cowboys for next season. And Maguire says he sees the pair as ‘the future’ of the Broncos.
“For Tom (Duffy) and Coby, they are on our books this season and Coby has had a good 12 months of development. I have been really pleased with how Coby is developing and with Tom Duffy coming in, he will add to the strengths of our halves,” Maguire told The Courier Mail.
“I have two young halves who are hungry to come in and get better. I will be watching Coby and Tom closely. They are the future. As we showed this year, you need depth to be able to succeed and those two guys are definitely two live options on our roster.”
Maguire says the battle for the Brisbane No.7 jersey will be wide open if Reynolds retires next year, although the Brisbane skipper says he could still play on in 2027. Reynolds has played a key role in Black’s development and rates the 19-year-old playmaker highly.
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The Broncos captain and fellow veteran Ben Hunt have been mentoring Black and Maguire says the youngster is ‘still learning about the ‘pressures of playmaking and the different aspects of controlling a game’. The Brisbane coach is also wary about throwing Black into the NRL before he’s ready.
Maguire has pointed out that Pezet is a few years older than Black with NRL experience under his belt as well. And while he’s thrilled to have landed the 22-year-old Pezet from 2027, Maguire insists ‘there is a great opportunity’ in front of Black next season to cement his future with Brisbane.