Recruited to the club during the off-season, an outside back will depart the Brisbane Broncos at the season’s end and make the switch to the New Zealand Warriors in a player swap deal with Mitchell Barnett heading the other way.

As reported by The Courier Mail’s Pete Badel, Grant Anderson has decided to quit the Broncos after agreeing to a three-year contract with the Warriors worth around $400,000 a season beginning in 2027.

Watch every game of every round of the Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

It is understood that the Broncos were reluctant to lose the versatile back who can play a number of different rules, such as fullback, on the wing, in the centres and even in the halves if needed.

This comes after he emerged as the Warriors’ preferred candidate in a player swap deal.

Although the Broncos didn’t have to part ways with anyone – and even refused to release young gun Anthony Verhoeven – Cameron George (Warriors CEO) remained hopeful that the club would come to the party with a gentlemen’s agreement.

Grant Anderson.Source: Getty Images

“We’re just not going to take anybody,” George told Code Sports in March.

“I know the Broncos have had a meeting about it and I’m just still waiting to find out where they are at with everything. Both clubs are being very reasonable and fair.

“We know we’re not going to get a $1 million player out of them, but at the same time it’s all part of the business and the Broncos know a deal has to be done.

“It hasn’t been lost on me the Mitch situation, that’s not in jeopardy.

“However, we think it’s a fair decision to take and we expect Brisbane to be reasonable as well, otherwise the shoe could be on the other foot one day and it doesn’t work for anyone.”

Cowboys deny Dragons move for Drinkwater | 02:02

‘HE’S NOT DISGRUNTLED’: RICKY SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT

Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has shut down any suggestions centre Matt Timoko is “disgruntled” or wants out of the club ahead of his NRL return this week.

Timoko endured an injury-interrupted summer, which saw him start the year in NSW Cup, and up until this round, he has not got his spot back, with Simi Sasagi making the most of his permanent move to the centres.

But with Savelio Tamale asking to be dropped to reserve grade in a bid to regain his confidence, Stuart has recalled Timoko this week for his first taste of NRL action in 2026.

There was talk Timoko could be a candidate for a mid-season switch if a desperate rival team came calling while he toiled away in the NSW Cup, but Stuart made it clear on Thursday that it is not the case.

This comes after reports emerged that he was also on the radar of the Perth Bears who will enter the NRL competition next season.

“He’s here next year,” Stuart said.

“That happens at any club when a first grader is coming back from injury and not playing first grade and or has been put back to Cup to fix his game. All of a sudden there is innuendo in regards to the contract and the player is disgruntled and wants out.

“Matty is not disgruntled and he doesn’t want out. I’ve had a good conversation with his manager. Everything is OK from our point of view there.”

Matthew Timoko.Source: Supplied