The agent of the fan favourite expects plenty of interest in the player.
Gehamat Shibasaki could be the latest player to fall victim to the salary cap squeeze at the Brisbane Broncos, with the manager of the Maroons Origin winner alluding to his potential exit. Shibasaki has been a fairytale story this year in Brisbane, where he started off the season on a train-and-trial deal but impressed coach Michael Maguire enough to force his way into the Broncos’ starting side.
The journeyman has been a revelation in the centres for Brisbane in 2025 and earnt himself a shock call-up for Queensland in the Origin series decider, playing a decisive role for Billy Slater’s side as they claimed the shield. But Shibasaki’s current deal with Brisbane only runs until the end of next season, meaning he will be free to negotiate with rivals clubs from November 1, unless a new deal is agreed before then.
Complicating the situation is the delicate salary cap situation at the Broncos, who have a number of stars tied down to big-money deals and have recently extended several other players. The salary cap squeeze has already seen Selywn Cobbo forced to leave for the Dolphins next season and hooker Cory Paix could be pushed out too, following reports Brisbane are close to tying down forwards Kobe Hetherington and Corey Jensen to new multi-year deals.
Maguire’s side recently locked down captain Adam Reynolds, centre Kotoni Staggs and emerging hooker Blake Mozer after the trio signed contract extensions. And the club also has a large chunk of its cap tied up in lucrative deals for superstars Reece Walsh, Payne Haas, Patrick Carrigan, Ezra Mam and veteran Ben Hunt.
Gehamat Shibasaki expected to field offers from rival clubs
It’s understood Brisbane are keen to keep Shibasaki on their books after his incredible season in 2025. But the Origin centre’s manager Wade Rushton told Wide World of Sports that he is yet to be offered a new deal and admits they expect to be inundated with offers for the 27-year-old when he becomes a free agent on November 1.
Gehamat loves the Broncos after the season he has had and is contracted to them for next season,” Rushton told WWOS. “But they haven’t been able to make him an offer beyond that and so on November 1, I’m expecting quite a few clubs to show formal interest. He’s had a fantastic year and is a great story – and he will keep working hard on his game.
Shibasaki has scored 12 tries in 16 games in his breakout season with the Broncos in 2025, having previously failed to crack into the top grade and moving away for a stint in Japanese rugby. He’s also among the NRL’s leading centres in terms of line breaks, tackle busts and average run metres per game, making it easy to see why there would be so much interest from rival clubs chasing a quality outside back.
The 27-year-old’s current development contract is only reportedly worth around $85,000 but with his additional match payments and Origin windfall, that figure could rise to at least $160,000 if he plays all of Brisbane’s remaining games and they reach the finals. Shibasaki knows he’ll be able to command a much larger salary if he hits the open market though and with the Broncos reportedly only able to offer his teammate Paix $150,000-a-year to stay in Brisbane, the centre may well be the latest star squeezed out of the club.
