DANIEL Vidot’s career at the Broncos is all but over with the out-of-favour winger granted compassionate leave after a potential move to premiers Souths collapsed on Wednesday.
The Courier-Mail understands Vidot could leave the Broncos within a fortnight as his management ramps-up discussions with a number of NRL rivals.
The Rabbitohs had made preliminary inquiries into signing Vidot to help ease their backline injury saga, but the premiers have decided against making a formal offer.
Vidot contacted officials at Broncos feeder-club Ipswich yesterday informing them he is unavailable for Sunday’s clash against Sunshine Coast, a sign he is headed for the Red Hill exits.
Well-placed sources say Vidot is not injured, with the 25-year-old asking for a week off to sort through the mental anguish of his Broncos free fall.
The 111kg hulk was outstanding for Brisbane in his maiden year at the club last season, but was axed by coach Wayne Bennett for their round-one clash against Souths.
Vidot has since languished at prop for the Jets in the Intrust Super Cup. Stuck behind Broncos trio Lachlan Maranta, Corey Oates and Jack Reed, he has been frustrated by a lack of opportunity and is unhappy at a club where he feels he is NRL quality.
South Sydney have around $100,000 to spend under the salary cap and Vidot was one possible option to bolster their roster after a string of injuries to outside backs.
The Rabbitohs have lost star centre Dylan Walker to a broken hand and have named veteran Daryl Millard, who was playing in France last year, for tomorrow night’s clash against Parramatta.
Vidot was Brisbane’s best metre-eater last season, amassing a whopping 3798 metres from 23 games, and admits he struggling to come to terms with being on the outer.
“It’s been a tough period for me,” he said.
“Obviously I’m not as happy to be playing reserve grade as NRL, but I have to keep my head down and try my best.
“I’m not really used to this, I was really happy with my season last year. I have a lot of respect for Wayne Bennett so I’m not going to be negative about it, but at the moment there’s not much more I can do.”
Vidot is contracted to the Broncos for the rest of the season but he is not in Bennett’s future plans. He paid a heavy price for a defensive error in Brisbane’s World Club Series clash, racing off his wing to concede the 78th minute try that almost cost the Broncos victory against Wigan.
Asked about his future at the Broncos, Vidot said: “I don’t want to comment on that, sorry mate.”
While he was inspirational at times on the field last season, the giant winger has had off-field disciplinary problems, which is part of the reason he has slipped in the pecking order.
The Manly Sea Eagles have also been linked to Vidot and may issue a lifeline as winger Jorge Taufua fights for his career following his part in an off-field pub brawl.
