Each week, The Courier Mail's Pete Badel reports live from Red Hill to give us the latest team news, injury updates and contract sticking points for the three Queensland NRL teams. This week he's got exclusive insight on some major news with QLD stars.
BRISBANE BRONCOS NEWS AND RUMOURS: BRONCOS IN DANGER OF LOSING PANGAI JNR TO NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
"This news concerns Tevita Panga Jnr, their star forward," Badel told Sporting News .
"I spoke to Newcastle coach Nathan Brown yesterday, and he confirmed that he has begun a poaching raid to bring Tevita Pangai Jnr to Newcastle, this is big news.
"Nathan said, 'we haven't made an offer at this stage because Tevita is sorting out some management issues which can't be finalised until November.' Tevita has toured the Knights' facilities, he has spoken to Nathan Brown and Brown says, 'the ball is now in Tevita's court.' If he's keen to come with Newcastle, then in time they will talk turkey financially.
"This is a real battle now for the Broncos for a player I regard as the best young forward in the game. 22-years-old Tevita Pangai Jnr, he's had an outstanding season with the Broncos.
"I think the Broncos are still in the box seat to keep him, but they do have some salary cap issues having to retain Corey Oates, who's still off contract, and also Matt Lodge, the prop who's had a good year with Brisbane.
"They've got some money to play around with the Broncos, but, they're going to have to really manage their budget if they're going to retain Tevita Pangai. If Brisbane can't afford him, the Knights will pounce."
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS NEWS AND RUMOURS: BARBA'S DEAL WITH COWBOYS FORCES COOTE TO ENGLAND
"Some interesting news with the Cowboys, as I reported last week, Ben Barba is on his way to Townsville in 2019 pending a transfer fee from St Helens, and there will be a straight swap is what I'm hearing," Badel said.
"Lachlan Coote will be going to St Helens on a three-year deal. They're just in the final stages of that transfer, but they will settle on that fee for Ben Barba, and that opens the door for Coote to go to England.
"Now, Coote wasn't keen to go to England at this stage of his career, he was keen to stay in Australia, he's got a young family, but, there's just been no takers for him in the NRL, it's a pretty tight environment for fullbacks under the salary cap.
"So, unfortunately the NRL will lose Lachlan Coote. He's been a terrific servant, winning a premiership with the Cowboys in 2015, but, we wish him well when he heads to England."
GOLD COAST TITANS NEWS AND RUMOURS: PEACHEY WON'T RENEGE ON TITANS CONTRACT
"Tyrone Peachey, there's been some talk about whether he will renege on his Gold Coast contract and stay at Penrith," Badel said.
"I've spoken to Titans coach Garth Brennan today, and he has confirmed to me that Peachey will be coming to the Titans. Great news for Gold Coast fans.
"He plays in the semi-finals this week against his former club the Sharks, he was very good last week against the Warriors, and there was talk of him backflipping on his deal with the Titans for family reasons, but, Brennan assures me he's very confident of having Peachey next year.
"He's spoken to Peachey's management, and they've ironed out any real problems."
