Big news this morning at Ballymore with the Queensland Reds announcing a key player locked in until 2015.

It’s welcome news for the team after they narrowly missed out on a win against the Western Force on Saturday.

Jon Healy reports.

TRANSCRIPT

The Reds have reason to celebrate after locking up captain James Horwill for the next two years.

The 27-year-old is keen to remain a one-club player.

James Horwill, Qld Reds Captain: “I’m very passionate about playing for Queensland, very passionate about playing for my country. So that’s something I’ve thought about and hope to go through with; playing for one club in Australia for my career.”

Contract negotiations were short and sweet.

Horwill’s never made any secret of his desire to stay in Queensland and Reds coach Richard Graham says he wishes every negotiation went this smoothly.

Richard Graham, Qld Reds Coach: “It certainly hasn’t been an arm wrestle with James. He’s indicated how passionate he is about the place.”

In Rugby League the Broncos were licking their wounds this morning after their three-game winning streak ended with a 26-12 loss to the Rabbitohs on the weekend.

Ben Hannant, Broncos prop: “It was some defensive things that went wrong which we’ve been doing right for the last month. It was really disappointing.”

The Broncos are keen to rebound against Parramatta this Saturday.

In AFL, disappointment for The Lions after a 60-point loss to reigning premiers Sydney.

Brisbane have managed just two wins so far and face six of the top-eight teams in the next seven weeks.

And in Netball, the Queensland Firebirds are back in the winner’s circle after a blistering second-half performance against the West Coast Fever.

It was 30-all at halftime before the Firebirds streaked away to win 63 to 54.

Jon Healy, QUT News.