Kobe Hetherington has made it clear he wants to earn a starting spot at the Broncos this year after new coach Michael Maguire fought hard to keep him at the club when rivals thought they were a chance of signing him.

The Wests Tigers were very keen on his services for 2025, but Hetherington chose to stay put and declared on Thursday that he wanted to start for Brisbane this season.

The 25-year-old’s best position is lock, but that would require Patrick Carrigan to move to prop – something he has done for his country.

Hetherington started two games at lock last season but has spent the majority of his career coming off the bench, including in the 2023 grand final.

“Everyone wants to start. That’s my goal and what I am trying to do this pre-season,” he said.

“I just have to keep training hard this pre-season and stay injury-free. I have got to give myself every opportunity to get that jersey.

“I don’t want to talk myself up too much, but I’d like to think I play a tough brand of footy. I rely on my defence side of things.

“It’s a big challenge, but I’m up for it. I’ve got to have a big pre-season.

“I can’t wait to start playing footy. I’m really excited about what’s happening at the moment, how we’re training and the feel around the club is unreal.

“Everyone is enjoying training. It’s been really good.”

Hetherington is off contract at the end of the year and wants to stay at the Broncos. Picture: Zak SimmondsIt’s been a brutal pre-season at Red Hill after Brisbane’s fall from grace in 2024, with Maguire setting new training standards for a side that has been tipped to shoot back up the ladder.

Hetherington has been impressed by Maguire’s approach and hopes he can convince the man who wanted to keep him to sign him to a new deal.

“It is always good to know people want you and it raises your confidence,” he said.

“I never really wanted to leave here.

“I’ve only ever been at this club since I was straight out of school. I love everything about this club and the direction we are going in.”