Gehamat Shibasaki’s fairytale rise looks set to end in a bitter twist, with the Brisbane Broncos likely to lose one of their best performers thanks to a salary cap squeeze.
Just a few months ago, the 26-year-old was fighting for a train-and-trial deal.
Now he’s a Queensland Origin hero and one of the hottest names on the NRL market.
Billy Slater called Shibasaki’s rise “exceptional” and “inspirational,” praising how a player once overlooked forced his way into a series-deciding Origin side - it’s not hard to see why.
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In 19 games this year, Shibasaki has crossed for 12 tries, made 14 line breaks, and busted through 75 tackles — numbers that smash anything he’s ever produced before.
The problem for Brisbane is he’s doing all that on a bargain-basement $85,000 contract, and that number is about to skyrocket now he’s a representative-level centre.
The Broncos simply don’t have much cap space left to work with.
They’ve already locked in Reece Walsh, Patrick Carrigan, Payne Haas, Ezra Mam, and Adam Reynolds, while still finding room to bring in Ben Hunt.
It’s a star-studded spine and middle — but it leaves little cash for strike centres.
Shibasaki’s timing is both perfect and brutal.
Perfect for him, because the NRL market is about to explode with two new clubs coming in and quality centres harder to find than ever.
Brutal for the Broncos, because they’re about to watch one of the best feel-good stories of the season walk out the door.
From train-and-trial long shot to Origin starter in the same season, Shibasaki’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable.
Now he’s set to command the biggest payday of his career — and it’s almost certain that it won’t be in a Broncos jersey.
Come November 1, expect rival clubs to circle as his departure is now all but sealed.