Australian schoolboys skipper fumes at Broncos broken promises

The Brisbane Broncos have been thrust into the spotlight again this week with Australian Schoolboys skipper Karl Oloapu fuming at alleged promises made and broken by the club. It has been alleged that not only was he given a lengthy contract that was ‘lost’ by the club, but he was left out of the top 30 squad for the 2023 season which was part of his agreement with the glamour club.

Reports first surfaced on Monday when allegations were made that The Dolphins had tried to coax the young gun out of his current Broncos deal to sign a larger one with the NRL’s new expansion club. Oloapu is now refusing to train with the Broncos, claiming he was guaranteed a spot in the club’s top 30 and getting to play five-eighth, which has not eventuated.

The Broncos responded in an official statement from the club, confirming that, not only is Oloapu a “quality young man who has been in the Broncos Academy system since he was 13 years old”, but that Oloapu committed to a contract willingly in January to remain with the club from 2023 to 2025.

The story of the issue between Oloapu and the Broncos has one key character that many similar situations in the NRL seem to have, the new player manager, Matt Adamson.

In their official statement, the Broncos said, “Prior to signing that contract, we worked from late November 2021 with Karl, his family and his then-manager to reach an agreement on a contract extension”.

The Broncos went on to state that on the final day before the contract was signed, Oloapu and his family decided to part ways with that manager. Oloapu then signed his current deal, with his brother Joe as company.

The Broncos further stated that “It was not until June this year – shortly after Karl and his family engaged a new player manager – that we received a request for a substantial upgrade to his three-year contract which had not even begun”.

The Broncos denied that request but committed to Oloapu and his new manager that his contract would be reviewed in the 2024 season. That response was met with a player release request.

The Broncos stated the investigation by the NRL and RLPA had been completed, finding no wrongdoing by the club. Oloapu and Adamson reject that statement.

“The NRL has told us it has made no decision yet, so we have no idea how the Broncos can say that” Adamson said.

The NRL is still investigating the issue between Oloapu and the Broncos, stating “We are still looking into the matter; no final determination has been made”.

The Broncos have also publicly stated that they have their utmost to work with Oloapu’s new agent, but multiple attempts to met with Oloapu have been rejected.

The Broncos have said “It is disappointing to learn that Karl feels the way he does, but the door is most certainly open at the Broncos for him to re-join training with our NRL Squad. Karl would be welcomed with open arms and would be fully supported by all our staff”.

Speaking to WWOS in the days following the story first breaking in the news, Oloapu stated “I just want a release and a chance to play football. I can promise you one thing: I will never play for Brisbane as long as I live. They have broken promises to me and left me broken-hearted.”

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