Marlon Brando may be long gone, but someone from the Broncos must play the role of the Godfather and make Xavier Willison an offer he can’t refuse to ensure the man mountain stays put beyond the 2027 season.
And a little bit of Hollywood could go a long way given Willison sports a tattoo on his right leg of the legendary Don Vito Corleone, who delivered iconic quote after iconic quote in the 1972 classic.
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“There are so many to choose from, but probably just the main one ‘I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse’,” Willison replied when asked what his favourite quote from the film is.
“It’s definitely my favourite movie. I used to watch it all the time at my nana’s (place) growing up. It’s my favourite movie, closely followed by A Bronx Tale. I like those old-school Italian mafia sort of movies.”
His Broncos tale is just getting started after becoming a mainstay in the team back in 2024, with Willison playing a key role in their run to the premiership last year.
He’ll turn 24 in a couple of weeks and will command huge offers if he hits the open market on November 1, which is why the Broncos are doing everything they can to convince the New Zealand international to stay.
There are reports that they’ve tabled a three-year deal worth about $3m, with Willison showing his value against Penrith on Thursday where he started in the middle but moved to the edge and ran for 189m.
“We’re still working through things,” he said, with Brisbane desperate to keep him given superstar prop Payne Haas is leaving to join the Rabbitohs at the end of the year.
“Definitely (my preference is to stay). They’ve given me everything. They brought me over from New Zealand as a kid, so definitely.”
A premiership push this season seems improbable, but at least the Broncos have given themselves a tiny chance of sneaking into the finals after they snapped an eight-game losing streak with a win in Sydney over the title favourites.
Reece Walsh was at his brilliant best with three try assists as the Broncos reminded everyone that they can still be a force when they have all of their stars on the park.
“It’s a good feeling. It’s fun to be back in the winner’s circle,” Willison said.
“We had all our boys back, so there were really no excuses for us not to perform tonight, and I felt like we did that.
“The last couple of weeks, I definitely felt like we’ve had the effort. The boys were trying to look after each other, it just hasn’t gone our way. Tonight, everyone was there, which definitely helped.”
— Martin Gabor (NCA NewsWire)
STORM GUN ADDRESSES SPECULATION
Storm centre Jack Howarth is set to remain at the club in 2027 despite speculation that he would be released from the final year of his deal to join the Parramatta Eels.
Howarth was initially floated as part of a swap deal with former Eel Zac Lomax at the start of the year, but those plans never eventuated with the former rep player released from his contract to join rugby.
It’s a blow for the Eels who have been looking for strike out wide, with the club also missing out on Bronson Xerri who has signed with the Storm for 2027 and beyond.
The Storm signed Howarth back in 2022 on a lucrative five-year deal, but it’s been a slow burn for the junior rep star who has battled a raft of serious injuries throughout his career.
Melbourne won’t release him from his contract given they’re already losing Will Warbrick, Nick Meaney and Tyran Wishart to rival clubs, with Xerri and Jamayne Isaako signed to bolster the Storm’s backline.
Howarth addressed the speculation in the Allianz Stadium sheds after his side’s narrow loss to the Roosters before it was revealed on Saturday that he would be staying next year.
“At the moment I’m just trying to focus on playing consistently each week, and then whatever happens, happens,” he told the NewsWire following Friday’s loss in Sydney.
“My focus is just playing good for the team that I’m signed with at the moment and put my best foot forward for those guys.
“I’m pretty good at trying not to read any media or stuff. You do see it, but I communicate with some people that help me process everything.
“I just tie my attention back to the Storm and the team I’m at now, so that’s all I’m trying to do at the moment.
“I’ve got my manager dealing with all that sort of stuff. Like I said before, my goal is just trying to play the best footy I can at the moment.”
Two MASSIVE missed calls | 00:34
Howarth said the 14-6 loss was “brave” considering how many players they had on the sidelines, with Warbrick forced off in the first half with a serious Achilles injury that has ended his Storm career.
The New Zealand international joins Eli Katoa, Xavier Coates and Tui Kamikamica as stars who won’t play again this year, while key halves Cameron Munster (knee) and Jahrome Hughes (hamstring) both missed the Roosters loss.
“It just hurts because when people like that have injuries like that, they don’t deserve it, and it’s just hard seeing your mate in that type of state,” Howarth said.
“We’re all behind him and we’re going to be supporting him through these next couple of weeks. I hope his recovery goes well.
“It’s something that we can’t control, but I think we’ve got this mentality with next man up. I know it’s tragic for the people who are going through those things, but it’s an opportunity for other people to come in.
“As much as we want those people playing, we’ve got other people that can come in and do just as good of a job.”
— Martin Gabor (NCA NewsWire)
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