The Brisbane Broncos are under siege.
A second Brisbane team is set to enter the NRL in 2023, the Titans are now a genuine rival - on and off the field - and along with the Storm, Warriors and Cowboys have shattered the illusion that the Broncos don’t lose players they want to keep.
First it was star forward David Fifita’s decision to turn down a lucrative deal to join the Titans last season.
Then the Warriors prised boom fullback Reece Walsh from Brisbane’s grasp earlier this season and the Cowboys snared halfback Tom Dearden.
Now the Storm have managed to lure Queensland Origin winger Xavier Coates to Melbourne.