The manager of a prized recruit for the Brisbane Broncos has revealed he actually agreed to join the Melbourne Storm for 2026 before the move fell through at the last minute. And it’s another blow for Craig Bellamy at the hands of his Broncos counterpart Michael Maguire.
Aublix Tawha is seemingly in line for a starting spot on the edge for the Broncos in the World Club Challenge against Hull KR after his off-season move from the Dolphins. The 26-year-old played nine games for the Dolphins in 2025, but has joined their cross-town rivals this season.
Broncos coach Maguire is tipping Tawha for big things in 2026, and many believe he could find himself starting in the second-row. But his manager Simon Mammino has revealed he could easily be playing for the Storm this year if not for an unlucky break for Bellamy and Melbourne.
Michael Maguire and the Brisbane Broncos snared a prized recruit from the clutches of Craig Bellamy and the Melbourne Storm. Image: AAP
Mammino told The Courier Mail that Tawha verbally agreed to join the Storm for 2026, and the deal depended on Nelson Asofa-Solomona leaving. Asofa-Solomona eventually did get a release from the final two years of his contract, but a slight delay in his exit allowed the Broncos to swoop in.
“We actually agreed to terms with Melbourne,” Mammino said. “The Storm had to move Nelson Asofa-Solomona but at the time we didn’t know if he was going.
“Aublix was ready to go, but the Storm couldn’t come up with an offer and the next day the Broncos just happened to call me. Kobe Hetherington was leaving (to join Manly) and it was the perfect timing.
“The Storm unfortunately couldn’t go ahead with the deal, but it’s worked out well because Aublix has found a home at the Broncos and he is loving it.”
Aublix Tawha is being tipped for big things at the Brisbane Broncos.
(AAPIMAGE)Broncos strike another blow on Melbourne Storm
It’s another win for the Broncos over the Storm, after Maguire’s side beat Bellamy and Melbourne in the 2025 grand final. They’ve also snared outside back Grant Anderson from the Storm, as well as Melbourne club legend Cameron Smith to be part of the Broncos’ coaching staff.
Tawha joins Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan as forwards who nearly joined Melbourne. Carrigan was in the Storm academy as a youngster at Easts Tigers, while Haas was previously about to sign with Melbourne before Wayne Bennett intervened.
In his teenage years, Haas was about to get on a plane to Melbourne to sign a contract with the Storm, before former Broncos coach Bennett called him while at the airport and convinced him to stay in Brisbane. Haas has been a Bronco ever since.
with AAP