Coby Black Rejects Brisbane Broncos to Sign Five-Year Deal with the Canberra Raiders in  2026.

Coby Black Rejects Brisbane Broncos to Sign Five-Year Deal with the Canberra Raiders in  2026.

 

In a surprising turn of events, teenage halfback Coby Black has informed the Brisbane Broncos of his intention to depart the club at the conclusion of the 2026 season to pursue his NRL ambitions with the Canberra Raiders.

 

Black, aged 19, joined the Broncos’ academy at the tender age of 14 and quickly rose through the ranks, earning a reputation as one of the game’s most promising young halfbacks. His standout performances in the lower grades — including a remarkable 46-point haul in a single game in the Mal Meninga Cup — pointed to a bright future at Red Hill.

From the club’s perspective, Black had been widely viewed as the long‐term successor to captain and halfback Adam Reynolds in the No.7 role. However, recent recruitment moves have altered the strategic landscape. The Broncos announced the signing of Jonah Pezet to join in 2027, and additionally brought in halfback Tom Duffy from North Queensland for 2026. With the depth chart looking crowded and Black’s pathway to first-grade minutes appearing limited, he has chosen a fresh start.

The Broncos released an official statement confirming Black’s decision to leave after the 2026 season. In it, General Manager of Recruitment & Pathways Simon Scanlan acknowledged Black’s journey through the academy and thanked him for his commitment. According to the reports, Black will link up with the Raiders for the 2027 season, where he is expected to challenge for a halves berth under coach Ricky Stuart.

For Canberra, this represents a strategic move to bolster the halves stocks after the departure of veteran Jamal Fogarty to Manly. From Black’s perspective, the move offers a clearer pathway to first-grade opportunity in a new environment, rather than waiting behind established playmakers at Brisbane.

In summary:

Black will remain at the Broncos through the 2026 season, honouring his contract.

He then moves to the Raiders in 2027, seeking accelerated progression to NRL action.

The Broncos, while disappointed to lose a home-grown talent, appear to have accepted his decision and thanked him for his service.

This development marks a turning point both for Black and for the Broncos’ play-making succession plan. It remains to be seen how much game time he secures in 2026, and how quickly he can make an impact at Canberra once he arrives