THE DEAL IS DONE: Parramatta agreed a deal to bring another star forward player back to a new contract and the deal is done

The Melbourne Storm have officially lost promising outside back Grant Anderson to the Brisbane Broncos for the 2026 NRL season, while the Parramatta Eels have secured veteran forward Jack de Belin from St. George Illawarra for the 2026 campaign—two moves that have sparked debate among fans.

Anderson’s move to Brisbane had long been rumored, and the two-year deal finalized this week only increases uncertainty surrounding Selwyn Cobbo’s future with the Broncos. With Brisbane recently re-signing Josiah Karapani—who replaced Cobbo on the wing—as well as Adam Reynolds, Kotoni Staggs, and Blake Mozer, they now have limited cap space and can reportedly only offer Cobbo about $300,000 per year, a steep drop from his current $650,000 salary. Anderson’s arrival adds to an already deep backline, making Cobbo seem increasingly expendable heading into 2026.

 

Anderson has been a standout for Melbourne this season, filling in for the injured Will Warbrick and scoring 10 tries in 12 games while averaging 142 metres per match. While Melbourne boasts a talented group of outside backs including Xavier Coates, Jack Howarth, and Sua Fa’alogo, many fans believe the club may have been too hasty in letting Anderson go, especially given his breakout season.

Meanwhile, the Eels’ signing of 34-year-old de Belin has also drawn mixed reactions. Although de Belin has racked up 242 appearances since debuting in 2011, he was not offered a contract extension by the Dragons and will fall short of breaking the club’s all-time games record. His move to Parramatta, reportedly finalized after brief negotiations with his current club, is part of coach Jason Ryles’ effort to inject experience and toughness into the forward pack, especially with the departures of Bryce Cartwright and Joe Ofahengaue, and Shaun Lane stepping away indefinitely.

While some applaud the addition of de Belin’s defensive prowess and leadership, others question the logic of signing an aging forward whose best years may be behind him. The move has clearly divided Eels supporters, with reactions ranging from optimism about his grit to skepticism about his longevity.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*