LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
In a classic case of footy politics, the Brisbane Broncos have been hit with a devastating blow as the Melbourne Storm manage to hold onto their key figure, Frank Ponissi.
The Broncos, under the leadership of new coach Michael Maguire, are desperately seeking a general manager of football to oversee their footy operations, following the departure of Ben Ikin to the Queensland Rugby League.
The Brisbane club had set their sights on Ponissi, hoping to entice him away from the Storm.
However, according to reports from the Daily Telegraph, Ponissi is set to reject the advances from both the Broncos and the Collingwood Magpies, opting to stay put at Melbourne.
Having spent a whopping 17 years working alongside master coach Craig Bellamy at the Storm, Ponissi's loyalty to the club is unwavering.
Collingwood and the AFL had also expressed interest in his services, but it seems they will be left empty-handed as Ponissi remains true to the purple and gold.
By choosing to stay in the NRL fold, Ponissi not only bolsters the Melbourne Storm but also provides a significant boost to the NSW Rugby League.
His involvement in helping the Blues triumph over Queensland in the recent State of Origin series alongside coach Michael Maguire speaks volumes about his commitment to the game.
With Maguire now at the helm of the Broncos, there was hope that their shared history could sway Ponissi towards Brisbane.
However, it seems that the Storm stalwart is staying put, leaving the Broncos and the Magpies to continue their quest for a key football figure.