Brisbane are reportedly at risk of losing schoolboy sensation Karl Oloapu to either rugby union or the Super League because of a dispute between the youngster and the club.
Signed by the Broncos on a three-year deal in January, Oloapu was recently named player of the tournament at this year’s national under 18s championships.
Amid claims of broken promises, the Australian Schoolboys captain has also reportedly refused to train with the Broncos for preseason.
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There’s now a risk Oloapu could join the likes of Tom Dearden and Reece Walsh as another youngster that has slipped through the Broncos system.
“My dream for as long as I can remember has been to play NRL and I have shed a lot of tears over how things have ended up… probably too many tears,” Oloapu told WWOS in explaining why things had gone pear-shaped.
“I was in between managers when I signed with the Broncos and only went in to see them with my older brother Joe for advice.
“They gave me a document that was more than 60 pages long and told (me) to sign it.
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“I tried to read it and understand it all in 30 minutes but without a manager or legal advice it was very hard.
“The club told me I would be in the top 30 full-time players next year and that I would be playing at my preferred position of five-eighth and that I would meet (head coach) Kevin Walters, so I was happy.
“They gave me a chicken sandwich and that was it – we were shown the door… it didn’t feel right.
“Now since then I have been told I am not part of the full-time squad and they want me to play at lock or hooker and change the shape of my body.
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“I’ve never met Kevin and barely heard from the club. When my new manager asked to see their letter of offer to me, the club told him they had lost it… how does that happen?”
For the time being Brisbane are holding onto Oloapu, according to the WWOS report.
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“The club has been working with Karl’s new management in recent months regarding this matter,” chief executive Dave Donaghy said.
“Karl earlier this year signed a three-year contract with the Broncos and the club will not be releasing Karl from this contract.”
