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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n Save this article for later<\/p>\n Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime.<\/p>\n Got it<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds has revealed the decision to axe winger Josiah Karapani was a player-driven punishment, and a statement that no player was above the standards they were determined to put in place.<\/p>\n Despite being one of Brisbane\u2019s top performers so far this season, Karapani will miss Saturday\u2019s clash with the Gold Coast Titans after being fined and issued a public nuisance offence over an argument with fellow nightclub patrons in Fortitude Valley. <\/a><\/p>\n The incident came hours after his side\u2019s 26-12 triumph over the Dolphins, with the flyer also dealt a month-long Safe Night Precinct ban.<\/p>\n Coach Michael Maguire has established a zero-tolerance mentality for off-field indiscretions, with Gehamat Shibasaki dropped last year after arriving at training still affected by alcohol, despite being the Broncos\u2019 breakout star of 2025.<\/p>\n Reynolds was adamant that stance needed to continue, regardless of the offender, as he stressed Karapani\u2019s actions \u201cfell below team standards\u201d.<\/p>\n Related Article \u201cI think it\u2019s important that everyone knows that the standards and culture of this club that we\u2019re setting [are] above any player or any person in this organisation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone needs to jump on board or you risk facing some time away from the team. It\u2019s a culture we\u2019ve set here over a period of time \u2026 it\u2019s about trying to nut out those situations in the future.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s fully aware of the mistakes he\u2019s made \u2013 he\u2019s really apologetic towards the group \u2013 and I\u2019m sure he won\u2019t make that mistake again. The team culture comes first.\u201d<\/p>\n Jesse Arthars will replace Karapani on the wing for his first NRL appearance since round 27 last year, when he came in to replace Shibasaki.<\/p>\n Deine Mariner will also move from centre-back out wide to fill the void left by the injured Grant Anderson, who sustained an MCL issue (knee) while fracturing his tibial plateau (shin), with Shibasaki returning to the starting side.<\/p>\n \u201cJesse obviously missed out at the backend of last year and the first chunk of this season. He hasn\u2019t whinged or carried on, he\u2019s gone about his business, and he\u2019s been super-professional in the way he\u2019s trained and looked after himself away from the game,\u201d Reynolds said.<\/p>\n While the average age of the Brisbane squad still sits at around 26, about half have played fewer than 50 NRL games.<\/p>\n Reynolds\u2019 retirement at season\u2019s end will strip more than 300 games of experience out of the roster, while prop Payne Haas will leave for South Sydney.<\/p>\n Related Article Broncos veteran Ben Hunt said many at Red Hill were still getting accustomed to the \u201cfish bowl\u201d nature of being a Bronco.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a huge club here, and it\u2019s still, in a way, a one-club town. I know the Dolphins are here now, but there\u2019s so much spotlight on this club,\u201d Hunt said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou go out and make a mistake, you\u2019re going to get found out, so there are some boys who are still learning some lessons, and Kara is one of them.<\/p>\n \u201cKara knows he\u2019s made a mistake, and we\u2019ve spoken to him about that. He understands and takes responsibility for it, and as a club and leadership group, we thought it was best that he didn\u2019t play this week as he serves a bit of a punishment.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a good kid. He came into training this week and trained as hard as he could, so he\u2019ll keep working hard and be back in there at some stage.\u201d<\/p>\n Attention on the club has, in part, fuelled the now 36-year-old Hunt\u2019s desire to play beyond the end of his 2026 contract.<\/p>\n While hookers Cory Paix and Blake Mozer are already signed until 2028 and 2027 respectively, Hunt believed he still had a key leadership role to play once Reynolds hung up his boots.<\/p>\n \u201cAt this stage, I\u2019m feeling good and pretty keen to play on,\u201d Hunt said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re obviously losing two great leaders of this club. They\u2019re not just great players on the field, but they\u2019re leaders around the club. They\u2019ve been here for a long time and know what it is to be a professional rugby league player.<\/p>\n \u201cLosing guys like that will definitely take a toll.\u201d<\/p>\n Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Adam](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/7a63316f8eb9e561903bc1360be6f530f60090da.jpeg\")
Adam Reynolds says the Broncos\u2019 playing group determined Josiah Karapani\u2019s fate.Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Interim](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/e1fa964552406c5d856e0a702a1bd2824fc98d8a.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Matt](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/976cd1e7364ed864eb59133c66bf9f5c7e560d12.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Josiah](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/9b4e89adf3261e462bf2afb8183097a6ee18f9b1.jpeg\")
Josiah Karapani (centre) celebrates a try with Broncos teammates.Getty Images<\/p>\n