Ben Ikin steps down from Brisbane Broncos recruitment role

News Corp is reporting Brisbane Broncos football boss Ben Ikin has stepped down from his recruitment-and-retention role at the club, leading to speculation over his future at Red Hill.

Ikin has been one of the main forces at the Broncos, along with CEO Dave Donaghy, in rebuilding the glamour club following its wooden spoon performance in 2020. The former Bronco played a key role in bringing Adam Reynolds and Reece Walsh to the club while also retaining future stars Pat Carrigan, Ezra Mam and Selwyn Cobbo.

The Broncos are yet to confirm who will take over the recruitment-and-retention role, with Ikin declining to comment on the matter. Instead, Ikin walked away from the role of his own accord, citing the need for a stronger focus on other facets of the Broncos’ business.

Ikin’s resignation from the role also draws speculation around his future at the club following QRL CEO Rohan Sawyer walking away from the state’s top position. Sawyer backed the Broncos head of football as a worthy successor based on his recent success in Brisbane.

“Ben would do a wonderful job,” he said.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with Ben when he was director (at the QRL).

“He is a super intelligent guy who not only understand the game of rugby league, but he understands the business.”

Ikin’s decision leaves a panel of five people focusing on recruitment and retention at Brisbane, including club great Darren Lockyer, CEO Donaghy, club coach Kevin Walters and salary-cap manager Louise Lanigan.

As changes to the department occur, the Broncos risk their squad being raided further by other NRL clubs.

Following the announcement that Herbie Farnworth and Thomas Flegler will leave the club at the end of 2023, reports have suggested up to six clubs are circling around current Queensland and Kangaroo forward Pat Carrigan.

The Broncos also face the battle of keeping their current crop of stars together while also looking to the future as the club looks to identify who will be the starting halfback once Reynolds retires.

Wally Lewis has identified former Bronco junior Sam Walker as the successor to the famous No.7 Broncos jersey.

“I think he’s one of those guys who just keeps getting better every year,” he told Wide World of Sports’ QLDER.

“He’s not a guy that demands the ball every time, he probably will the more experienced he becomes.

“I’d be very surprised if in time he doesn’t start heading back to Brisbane.”

Lockyer echoed the thoughts of Lewis, stating: “To win premierships you’ve got to have a good No.7.”

More sports news