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Message: [QUOTE="Super Freak, post: 3698760, member: 8536"] [ATTACH type="full"]31268[/ATTACH] The four-way battle for second-row spots at Brisbane is set to heat up and Jack Gosiewski insists he is "in the picture" to play round one of the NRL. The 30-year-old workaholic has been named to partner Brendan Piakura in the back row against Gold Coast in the Toowoomba trial on Sunday. Fellow contender Jordan Riki is on All Stars duty while back-rower Jaiyden Hunt has been named on the bench against the Titans. For impact and flair the duo of Riki and Piakura would seem the logical pairing for the round-one clash with Sydney Roosters and coach Michael Maguire may end up going with that duo. The fact is that the Broncos finished 12th last year and none of the back-rowers had standout years. Hunt had a broken hand and played just five games while Gosiewski lined up in six after arriving mid-season from North Queensland, and also suffering a busted arm. Riki was on fire in Brisbane's run to the 2023 grand final where he showcased one of the best kick-chase defensive mindsets in the NRL. He was also lethal on the edge as a ball runner but did not back it up in 2024. Piakura made six line breaks in 13 games in 2023 but only five in 18 matches last year where his form was up and down. Gosiewski is a workhorse with elite effort areas when at his best and fits the template of player that Maguire likes. He also has a long-standing relationship with the coach who gave him his debut at South Sydney. "When I was 20 I started with Madge. He gave me my debut so we have got a relationship there," he said. "I am in the picture (for round one). There is only four of us at the moment and I have been training really hard. "When round one comes in a couple of weeks I want to be there and ready to be picked. It is highly competitive. Everyone is fighting for a spot and you have to be at your best every day. "Coming in mid-season (in 2024) was obviously a bit difficult, where you have got to learn on the run, so it has been nice to do some work when we are not playing games and build combinations." Gosiewski has been training on the left side outside playmaker Ben Hunt and if he does get picked to play the Roosters he will have a familiar face beside him. "I played with him at the Dragons so we have already got a combination there to begin with," the New South Welshman said. Gosiewski is not signed beyond this year and said his management was yet to start talks. "We are waiting until we start playing games before we have conversations. We will do that when the season starts I imagine," he said. [URL='https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8891767/broncos-jack-in-the-box-seat-for-back-row-gig/?cs=14274']Canberra Times[/URL] [/QUOTE]

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