Former Broncos playmaker Brodie Croft is open to returning to the NRL after holding talks with Benji Marshall to rescue the Wests Tigers next season.
Croft celebrated his 26th birthday on Friday and incoming Tigers coach Marshall has given the halfback an NRL gift by expressing interest in the halfback wearing the Tigers No.7 jumper for 2024 and beyond.
This masthead can reveal the Tigers can secure Croft if they pay a $150,000 transfer fee to his current club Salford in the English Super League.
The embattled Tigers are on the lookout for playmaking options following Luke Brooks’ impending departure to Manly next season and Croft is one of several names on Benji’s hitlist.
The Tigers have also discussed a potential homecoming for Jock Madden, who joined the Broncos this season after failing to unseat Brooks over the past two seasons at the joint-venture club.
Croft has signed a seven-year deal with Salford until 2030, but can activate a get-out clause to return to the NRL at the end of this season.
Croft’s manager Chris Orr confirmed the rejuvenated playmaker would not rule out an Australian resurrection at the Tigers after he was sounded out last year by a number of NRL clubs.
“Brodie will seriously consider a return to the NRL moving forward,” said Orr of PSM.
“’Crofty’ had the Titans and Dragons chasing him to return late last year, but at that stage, the timing wasn’t right.
“His running game and short-kicking game has been outstanding in the Super League and I and Brodie believe his best football is in front of him.”
Croft’s NRL career appeared over after a turbulent stint under Anthony Seibold at the Broncos.
Blooded by Storm coach Craig Bellamy as a successor to Cooper Cronk, Croft played 39 games for Melbourne before shifting to the Broncos, where he played 26 matches between 2020-21.
But after struggling with the pressures of performing at underachieving glamour club the Broncos, Croft was granted an early release to start afresh in the Super League.
The playmaker has proved a sensation in England, steering Salford to the finals last season and winning the prestigious Man of Steel going - Super League’s equivalent of the NRL’s Dally M Medal.
Croft carved up for the Red Devils, scoring seven tries, posting 25 try assists and amassing 83 tackle busts and 23 line breaks to help Salford to the finals.
Marshall believes a wiser and more mature Croft can return to the NRL to provide some direction for the strife-torn Tigers as they plan for life after Brooks.
Madden is another option. The former Australian Schoolboys ace is contracted to the Broncos for another year and while the Tigers have sounded him out, Madden’s preference is to stay at Brisbane.
The Broncos are aware of interest in Madden and have kicked-off talks on an extension to keep the 23-year-old at Red Hill until the end of 2026.
