Broncos Sensation Gehamat Shibasaki Sparks Bidding War After Fairytale Rise
Gehamat Shibasaki has gone from fringe squad member to one of the hottest properties in rugby league, and his remarkable rise is now set to earn him a massive contract upgrade.
At the start of the 2025 season, Shibasaki was fighting just to stay in the system on a train-and-trial deal with the Brisbane Broncos. By the end of it, he had become a crucial part of their premiership charge. The outside back featured in 25 of 27 games and crossed for 18 tries, emerging as a consistent attacking weapon in Brisbane’s backline.
His impact extended far beyond club football. Shibasaki’s breakout year earned him selection for Queensland in the State of Origin, where he helped secure the series victory, before going on to represent Australia in the Ashes. It capped off a stunning season that few could have predicted.
Despite his elite performances, Shibasaki remains on a modest salary reportedly around $160,000 — a figure that now looks wildly out of step with his market value. Rival clubs have taken notice, with interest building from multiple teams, including the incoming Perth franchise and a proposed Papua New Guinea side.
As a result, his next contract could be worth as much as $600,000 per season, reflecting his rapid development into an Origin- and international-level player.
While Shibasaki is said to prefer staying in Brisbane under coach Michael Maguire, the club faces salary cap challenges. Potential departures of key players could open space, but competition for his signature is intensifying.
The coming weeks loom as pivotal. Whether he remains a Bronco or becomes the centerpiece of a rival club’s future, Shibasaki’s journey from overlooked squad member to marquee talent is one of the NRL’s most compelling stories.
