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“There’s no reward for development,” Donaghy claimed.
“There’s the ability for vultures to swoop in and throw ridiculous amounts of money and steal your best talent.
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“Do I have the answers? No I don’t. Is it something on the agenda for the NRL? Yes it will be.
“But certainly for me, I want to ensure the program is sophisticated enough that we are identifying those players at a younger age, and locking those players down.”
Brisbane has long been a factory of top-line talent. But in recent times a number of rising stars have opted for better options.
Reece Walsh (Warriors) and Tom Dearden (Cowboys) have followed Titans’ back-rower David Fifita out the door.
Young Roosters halfback Sam Walker snubbed their advances to head to Bondi and Xavier Coates could soon be headed for the Melbourne Storm. Kotoni Staggs’ future is still unresolved.
But on NRL360 on Fox League on Monday, Donaghy’s ambition to have processes in place to stop the pinching of best talent was widely derided.
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“I thought it was crazy,” The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield said.
“The Cowboys weren’t vultures when they took Tom Dearden who was supposed to be their half for the next ten years. Brisbane didn't make him an offer.
“What Dave Donaghy has to work out is why they are vulnerable to vultures.
“Why is Xavier Coates checking out the Melbourne Storm? It’s the system they have in place there, it’s their recruitment [Donaghy needs to look at].”
Rothfield’s Telegraph colleague Paul Kent said the Broncos have failed to identify talent that’s sat right under their nose.
“You’ve got to ask why you let Sam Walker go after telling him he should be a fullback,” Kent said.
“You let Reece Walsh go, because you can’t guarantee he can play first grade.
“He’s in Warriors colours for a week and playing first grade, he’s had two games and two blinder. Their failure to prioritise who is important and who is not is astounding.”
Fox League’s James Hooper pointed out that the Broncos had benefited from plenty of raids on rival clubs and this was just part of the game.
“The Raiders offered him $1 million a year back then and that wasn’t good enough,” Hooper said.
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“Welcome to the jungle, seriously welcome to the jungle. If he wants to go on about vultures – Greg Alexander sat on this programme a couple weeks ago and said what’s fair?
“Are you serious? What’s fair? It’s rugby league – it’s tough on the field and off it. I don’t think Coates will be there I think he’ll be the latest Bronco to leave.
“On Kotoni Staggs we’ve spoken about Parramatta, I heard he knocked the offer back because they wouldn’t offer him a fourth season.
“I’ve heard the Knights are a smokey and are at the negotiation table which would explain why he’s holding on for so long.”