Melbourne allow Croft to explore options

After getting the green light from the Storm to explore his options elsewhere, Brodie Croft is shaping as a leading contender to help solve Brisbane's halves dilemma.

As first reported by Fox Sports, Croft met with Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold in Sydney on Thursday to explore his options for next season. 

The 22-year-old is contracted until the end of 2020 at Melbourne, with a mutual option for 2021, but Croft's management has approached the Storm to ask if they can source other possibilities for their client and they have granted permission.

The Storm halfback is highly regarded by the club and the only reason he is not in the team is coach Craig Bellamy had to find room for flying fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, which pushed Jahrome Hughes back into the halves.

Melbourne recognise Croft should be playing first grade but there are no guarantees for next year should Papenhuyzen and Hughes continue to fire.

Brisbane movers and shakers also have a high opinion of Croft and regard him as the organising halfback they need after experimenting with Darius Boyd and Jake Turpin out of position in 2019.

Croft's former Intrust Super Cup coach Scott Sipple believes the halfback would be a perfect fit if he were to sign with the Broncos.

Sipple, who coached Melbourne affiliate club Brisbane Easts from 2016 until the end of this season, was at the helm for all 38 of Croft's Intrust Super Cup games after he came through the Tigers' junior program after moving from Toowoomba to attend Anglican Church Grammar School in Brisbane.

"What I like about Crofty is that he wants to be captain of the ship. He enjoys that responsibility. That is what the Broncos need, an organiser, and that is what they will get if they do get Crofty," Sipple told NRL.com.

"He is that player who takes the reins and gives direction and it could free up Anthony Milford's running game back at five-eighth.

"They have young Tom Dearden there as well but he is only 18 and it is a lot of pressure on a young kid."

Seibold likes players who prepare professionally and are low maintenance and Sipple said Croft also would fit that bill.