NRL 2026: Broncos tell Blake Mozer he is free to leave the club after Michael Maguire call, who could sign Mozer, transfer news
A dummy-half once likened to rugby league legend Cameron Smith has been tapped on the shoulder by the Broncos and is now free to leave the club.
Blake Mozer was considered one of the Broncos’ stars of the future, but his time at the club has been derailed by injuries.
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According to CODE Sports, the 22-year-old has been given permission by the Broncos to find another club effective immediately despite being contracted until the end of 2027.
There’s long been a logjam at hooker at the Broncos with Mozer stuck behind Billy Walters, Cory Paix and Tyson Smoothy in the pecking order in recent seasons.
In addition, Mozer has had trouble staying on the field due to injury.
Since debuting in 2023, Mozer has played just 16 NRL games, coming off the bench in all of those.
Brisbane tried to loan Mozer out to the Bulldogs and St Helens this season in order to get him some playing time but those deals didn’t eventuate.
With the Broncos inking Paix and Walters to new deals, it appeared the writing was on the wall for Mozer.
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Ben Hunt is also set to be part of the hooker rotation in 2027.
The Broncos’ decision comes just two months after coach Michael Maguire said Mozer “has a future” at the club.
“I like Blake, I really do,” Maguire said back in August.
“We’re fortunate that we have ‘Paixy’, Billy and ‘Hunty’ and Blake has unfortunately been on the sidelines through some injuries.
“But I haven’t given up on him at all and he’s now getting some chances to start clocking up some games.
“I keep saying to Blake, ‘Mate, just enjoy playing footy’ and his luck will turn. Blake has a future here.”
Thankfully for the emerging rake, he shouldn’t find it difficult to latch onto a new team given his age and upside.
So with Mozer likely on the way out, which clubs could look at signing the untapped 22-year-old?
BULLDOGS
The Bulldogs were interested in a loan deal for Mozer this season but those talks fell through.
Instead, the club signed Freddy Lussick on a two-year deal from 2027.
Bailey Hayward tries hard but he doesn’t create enough to be a starting level dummy-half in the NRL.
Phil Gould and the Bulldogs brass certainly aren’t afraid to make moves so expect the club to enter the race for the talented No. 9.
SEA EAGLES
At the moment, Manly’s dummy-half stocks are uncertain.
Jake Simpkin and Brandon Wakeham are currently the club’s top hooker options. They’re solid but Mozer possesses much more upside.
The Sea Eagles have a decent roster but are probably a player or two short of contending.
Mozer definitely won’t solve all their problems, but he’ll become another option for Kieran Foran as he builds his all-important spine for next year.
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RABBITOHS
Brandon Smith will enter 2027 as the starter but he has versatility and can move into the forward pack if need be.
Mozer would be a strong reserve option and add a different dimension to Smith off the bench.
Moreover, Wayne Bennett isn’t averse to throwing inexperience into the fire and Mozer is the sort of player he’d take a flyer on.
PANTHERS
Perhaps a long shot given they’ve just re-signed Mitch Kenny long term, but behind him, the club’s No. 9 depth is thin.
It’s unclear what Mozer will command and the Panthers are pretty strapped for cash at the moment given they’re trying to extend several stars. That could be a road block for Penrith.
Mozer has plenty of potential but he is still yet to prove himself. At the Panthers though, he would become the clear second option at hooker.
A chance to develop further in a team like Penrith and learn off Kenny for a year or two could prove appealing if the Panthers are interested in going down that road.
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SUPER LEAGUE – ST HELENS
Like the Dogs, St Helens were linked to a potential loan deal for Mozer.
Interestingly, Mozer’s former Broncos coach Kevin Walters is now at the helm at St Helens.
Walters has always been high on Mozer. Could the coach make a call to the dummy-half to gauge his interest in a short Super League stint?
