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Brendan Piakura nearly joined Canterbury before Kevin Walters convinced him to stay at Brisbane.

Brisbane forward Brendan Piakura came close to leaving the Broncos early in his career, before a last-minute intervention from then coach Kevin Walters convinced him to stay.

Piakura, now preparing to face Canterbury on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium, had been offered a three year deal worth $1.2 million by the Bulldogs in 2021.

At the time, the 18 year old was progressing through Brisbane's system but was strongly considering the move.

His manager Allan Gainey said the decision was finely balanced, with multiple clubs including Melbourne, Gold Coast and the Roosters also showing interest. The choice ultimately came down to Brisbane or Canterbury.

Gainey indicated Piakura had a strong connection with Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett, which added to the appeal of the move.

However, Walters played a decisive role in keeping the young forward at the club, highlighting the opportunity to play regularly at Suncorp Stadium in front of large home crowds.

Piakura has since gone on to make 60 appearances for the Broncos since debuting in 2021, with his decision to stay viewed internally as a long-term investment in his development.

Despite being part of a premiership-winning squad last season, the 23-year-old is still working towards consistent top-level performances.

His inclusion in recent Queensland State of Origin squads under Billy Slater reflects the regard he is held in at representative level.

Brisbane will again look to Piakura to step up as the club navigates a significant injury toll. Payne Haas is sidelined for up to eight weeks with a knee injury, while Corey Jensen is out indefinitely with a pulmonary embolism. Patrick Carrigan remains unavailable through suspension, and a number of other first-grade players are also missing.

With depth being tested, Piakura's role becomes increasingly important as Brisbane aim to maintain momentum through a challenging period.