Canberra Raiders boss Don Furner has continued a recent running feud with the Broncos by claiming the NRL has ‘orchestrated’ Brisbane’s draw. Eyebrows were raised this week when the Broncos and Dolphins were given ‘away’ games for Magic Round in 2026, even though the games will be played at their home ground Suncorp Stadium.
All 17 teams can request to either be the home or away team in Magic Round, with the home team getting all the money from ticket sales. The NRL doesn’t have to grant every team’s request, but 2026 will be the fifth-straight year the Broncos have received an away game.
The Brisbane Broncos get an ‘away’ game at Suncorp Stadium in Magic Round. Image: Getty
Even though they miss out on the ticket sales, it gives them the advantage of effectively having an extra home game at Suncorp compared to all their rivals. The teams that get the ‘home’ game in Magic Round miss out on a proper home game somewhere else in the season.
In the case of the Broncos and Dolphins, it’s the Warriors and Rabbitohs who are listed as the home teams. It means the Rabbitohs play the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium twice – in Round 1 and Round 11.
Don Furner makes explosive claim about Broncos’ draw
Speaking on Friday afternoon, Raiders CEO Furner made the stunning claim that Brisbane’s draw is “orchestrated” by the NRL to give them more home games. Furner, whose Raiders have the bye in Magic Round in 2026, told News Corp: “Everybody has to take a turn (at missing Magic Round), so it will work it’s way around and we will get our turn in 2027. I can’t wait to see when the Broncos have their turn (to have the bye in Magic Round).”
When asked for his thoughts on the Broncos getting an away game, Furner responded: “That’s orchestrated for them. I think they end up playing 14 games at home because they also play Redcliffe (Dolphins) there. They are very, very lucky but I can’t wait for the year they miss out on Magic Round.”
Canberra Raiders CEO Don Furner has thrown a jab at the NRL and Brisbane Broncos. (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)
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The explosive comments continue a recent feud between Canberra and Brisbane. Furner rejected suggestions during the finals that Raiders fans had directed abuse at Reece Walsh revolving around his young daughter. Furner said he never heard anything of the sort and suggested the idea was planted in the media by someone at the Broncos.
There was also a case of ‘leaking’ injury information before the Raiders and Broncos’ clash in the first week of the finals. While the Broncos were reportedly furious early in the season when they weren’t allowed to park their bus where they wanted at Canberra’s home ground.
On social media, Broncos fans pointed out that the NRL effectively ‘orchestrated’ the draw for Canberra in the finals. Coach Ricky Stuart requested a Sunday afternoon game to give his players as much rest as possible, and the NRL obliged. However it backfired when the Broncos won in golden point, before the Raiders were eliminated in straight sets following a shorter turnaround in week two.
On Thursday, former NRL player Joel Caine labelled it a “joke” that the Broncos and Dolphins get away games at Suncorp. While Broncos legend Corey Parker said it’s a “disgrace” that reigning minor premiers Canberra won’t be playing in the biggest round of the regular season. The 2026 draw is the first to be done entirely with AI (artificial intelligence), but it’s thrown up some curveballs and drawn some criticism.