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NRL News - by Craig Hill

Ben Te'o Gunning For Round One Jersey

December 23rd 2008 10:57
Ben Te’o doesn’t expect any favours from new WOW Brisbane Broncos coach Ivan Henjak when the 2009 season begins.

The former Wests Tigers second rower knows that form will be the deciding factor of the make-up of the Broncos’ scrum when round one kicks off against the Cowboys on March 13.

“There is a lot of competition here and I love that because it makes me push to my potential,” he said.

“We have a lot of good back rowers here – Lagi Setu, Corey Parker, and a lot of younger ones too like Will Tupou.

Broncos Ben Te'o


“There are spots open but it is up to whoever wants it.

“I think that is healthy for the club and it keeps all the older players on their toes.

“We are a young side so it is time for blokes to step up and I think that in itself is healthy.”

Since arriving at Broncos training after playing for Samoa in the World Cup, Te’o has felt comfortable straight away.

Brisbane is a good fit for this former Gold Coast schoolboy.

“I have settled in pretty good - we have been training hard and I have settled in to my new place, and I am getting to know the boys in the team,” he said.

“I am enjoying Brisbane. It’s very different – Sydney is very fast.

“Another big plus is I can shoot down to the Gold Coast on the weekends and see some of my old schoolmates.

“This is all new so I feel like I am starting all over again.”

But his focus is solely on getting one of those back-rower jerseys for the March blockbuster against the Cowboys.

“Come round one, my goal is to have got through the pre-season feeling confident and also be a starter in that first game,” he emphasised.

“My first goal is to keep on improving on my game and my second goal is to be starting in that game.”

Broncos Media Release
3rd Jan 2009
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Aaron Gorrell To Repay Broncos Fans

December 23rd 2008 10:48
Aaron Gorrell is planning to repay the WOW Brisbane Broncos faithful for ruining their night a couple of years back.

In 2006 the then-St George Illawarra hooker knocked over a conversion from the sideline late in the match to secure the Suncorp Stadium visitors an 18-16 win.

Two years later, Gorrell finds himself training in Broncos colours after signing a one-season
contrac.

“It was a good night for me but I am sure there weren’t too many people up here happy with me,” laughed Gorrell, who has spent the past two seasons playing English Super League with French club Les Catalans.

Broncos Aaron Gorrell


“Hopefully I can do something to repay them this season.”

Gorrell has already had one scare this past off-season after routine scans on a slight knee problem were misdiagnosed.

The rumour mill had the 27-year-old hooker in for the third knee reconstruction of his career.

Luckily that wasn’t to be.

“I always felt good but I had scans telling me something else,” he explained.

“In the back of my mind I thought I was okay and after a couple of worrying days it all went away.

“I have had two reconstructions before and I really didn’t think I had torn my cruciate again. You know when you do that.

“I was confident I hadn’t done anything serious and when I went and saw (specialist) Pete Myers he gave me the all clear to do everything at training.”

But Gorrell still has an almighty battle on for the hooker’s spot, with PJ marsh and Andrew McCullough clamouring for the number-nine jersey as well.

“I think it is a good challenge for me to test myself at a great club,” he said.

“I am looking forward to the trials to try and have a couple of good games and get in the top 17 for round one.”

Broncos Media Release
31st Dec 2008
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Lagi Setu Planning To Perform For Family

December 23rd 2008 10:18
WOW Brisbane Broncos teammates can expect a pleading phone call from new recruit Lagi Setu when the 2009 season rolls around.

Setu has come to the Broncos from the Dragons to be close to his large Ipswich-based family.

And when the big games come around, Setu says he will be on the lookout for tickets so the family can be at Suncorp to finally watch him play in Broncos colours.

“I am really family orientated and love being around them,” said Setu, who has five siblings.

Boncos Lagi Setu


“It’s nice to know when finish training I can go home and start mocking my brothers and sisters or just having a good one-on-one chat with my dad or mum.

“I’ve always liked my family at games and it will be a blessing having them there.

“I was after 60 tickets when I played against the Titans for the Dragons but the game was sold out.

“But now the family knows I am at home they have plenty of time to come and see me play.”

While being close to his religious family is a bonus, Setu said he had eyed a contract at the Broncos for a long time.

Queensland selectors have also noticed his presence after he was named in the Emerging Origin squad this month.

“I always used to watch the Broncos,” he said.

“When I was down in Sydney I thought about going home but I also wanted to come home and be accepted by the Broncos.

“I wanted them to want a player like me and I was fortunate enough to get that opportunity.

“I started watching Origin when I was 12 and I love the history, conflict and rivalry of it.

“I would love to be a part of it and the emerging squad is a good start for me. It’s a stepping stone.”

Broncos Media Release
28th Dec 2008
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Steven Michaels Itching For Return

December 23rd 2008 07:47
Steven Michaels has learnt that patience is his best ally as he sets his sights on returning to the playing field.

Michaels has lost nearly two full seasons in three years after a broken ankle ruined the club’s premiership year of 2006, and a knee reconstruction robbed him of most of 2008.

Before he did his knee last year, Michaels had been one of the club’s most consistent players in the centres.

But with Justin Hodges entrenched, there is only one centre spot left with Israel Folau to debut at Broncos training in January.

Steven Michaels Broncos
Steven Michaels


But for Michaels, who can also play wing, there is little to argue about.

“I would like to play there but it doesn’t bother me that much,” he said.

“When you have been injured like I have you don’t care – you just want to be part of the team. Anywhere – I don’t care.

“We are going to have a great backline, so anywhere would be great.”

It was tough watching the club go so far last year, but at last Michaels is feeling some reward.

Despite also having a minor wrist operation this year, he is finally seeing results on the training park.

“Ever since I started running in November it has felt better every week,” he said of the knee.

“I can really feel it progressing now, so I should be right to go for the trials in February.

“I have set myself a goal of playing two trials, but even one would be good. Still, two is the goal.

“The wrist had been a bit unexpected but hopefully it is all behind me.”

Broncos Media Release
23rd Dec 2008
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BRONCOS winger Jharal Yow Yeh has the right stuff to be an Olympian but his ambition is to follow in the footsteps of his great-uncle Kevin Yow Yeh.

The respected member of the winger's family played in a Sydney grand final with Balmain in 1966.

Yesterday, on his 19th birthday, Yow Yeh sprinted across the line to finish first in a 40m showdown with six of his teammates and Beijing Olympics 100m hurdles silver-medal winner Sally McLellan at the University of Queensland.

Bronco's Jharal Yow Yeh and Olympian Sally McLellan
Bronco's Jharal Yow Yeh and Olympian Sally McLellan


McLellan, a huge fan of the Broncos, said she hoped the likes of Yow Yeh would stick with athletics if given the chance but acknowledged that football offered more financially.

"A lot of these footballers could make the Olympic Games, possibly even medal in the future," she said.

"So it is a shame they can't stay with our sport.

"If only we had the money to do that I'm sure we would. But we're just chipping away at it and hopefully some people will stay in it."

Yow Yeh said he "ran a bit" at high school where he was clocked at 11 seconds flat for the 100m.

"But there were some quicker kids at school," he said. The Brisbane Norths junior scored 26 tries for the Broncos under-20s this year, including two in the 28-24 grand final loss to Canberra.

He has not been named in the Broncos' top 25 but is rated a strong chance to make his NRL debut in 2009. "I would love to play outside either Justin Hodges or Israel Folau," Yow Yeh said.

"I've just got to put on a bit of weight and train hard.

"My pop said Kevin was a good player and fast and said I play a bit like him."

Yow Yeh's teammates ensured he came back down to earth yesterday by telling him he "only beat a girl".

"She got silver in the Olympics so I went all right," he fired back.

McLellan said she did not expect to beat the footballers because she had not done many speed sessions since the Olympics.

She said the improved form of 18-year-old Canberra athlete Melissa Breen meant Australia should be looking to field a 4x100m sprint team for the world titles in Berlin in 2009.

"That would be excellent and it would really prove the selectors wrong . . . that white girls can sprint," McLellan said.

"Obviously I can. I'm still a sprinter."

There's little doubt it would have been a whole new ball game if yesterday's Broncos event had been a hurdles race.

"I was just happy to be out there having a run and having a bit of fun," McLellan said.

Bronco's Media Release (From Courier Mail)
23rd Dec 2008
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Broncos Big 2009 Opener

December 21st 2008 15:43
THE traditional derby between the WOW Brisbane Broncos and the North Queensland Cowboys has been given top billing by the NRL in round one.

The two fierce Queensland rivals will collide on Friday, March 13 at 7.30pm.

It will be the first of three Friday night blockbusters the Broncos play in the first four rounds, including the return of Wayne Bennett to Suncorp Stadium in the first week of April.

NRL Broncos Opener 2009


Bennett and his new team the St George Illawarra Dragons will face the Broncos in a round-four match set down for the special time of 6.30pm on Friday, April 3.

The Broncos will also renew their battle with Melbourne early, with the Storm to come to Suncorp in round two on Friday, March 20 at 7.30pm.

Broncos’ chief executive Bruno Cullen said the early home matches would be a big test for the NRL team.

“It is very pleasing to have that traditional derby against North Queensland in round one again,” said Cullen.

“It is a match that the people of Queensland love to come to.

“We are playing three top teams in the first four weeks at Suncorp Stadium, so the heat will be on.”

The three home blockbusters combine with two tough away clashes to provide a torrid opening five rounds to the competition, which were released by the NRL yesterday.

The Broncos’ first away game will be in round three and is the longest travel of the year – to Auckland to meet the New Zealand Warriors.

That match is set down for 7.30pm on Saturday, March 28, which will be shown live in Australia at 5.30pm.

The Broncos’ round-five game will be the traditional Good Friday clash against the Roosters, which is played each year at Sydney Football Stadium.
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Wallace Aiming For Origin

December 18th 2008 15:34
BRISBANE halfback Peter Wallace can't afford to slip up this season if he hopes to achieve his goal of playing State of Origin again in 2009.

Wallace came from the clouds to snatch the NSW Origin No.7 jumper for the first two games this year before a nasty testicle injury ruled him out of the series decider.

Playing Origin was clearly the highlight of Wallace's debut season with the Broncos.

NRL Broncos Wallace


Wallace says his Origin experience has made him keen to start the season firing.

"Origin was definitely the highlight," he said after another impressive skills session.

"I still can't believe that I actually played Origin to be honest."

Learning from retired great Andrew Johns was invaluable and Wallace's impressive kicking game in Origin I had the Johns polish all over it.

"What I learned off Joey (Johns) and Craig (coach Craig Bellamy) was massive," he said.

"Missing out on that third one really hurt, definitely my goal next year will be to get back into the (Origin) squad.

"It won't be easy because there's a number of good halfbacks around who could play there but it is definitely one of my goals."

Like all the Brisbane players, Wallace is eagerly awaiting the arrival of young try-scoring sensation Israel Folau.

Folau's ability to climb above his opposition and use his massive frame could tempt coach Ivan Henjak to play him on the wing, although he may team up with his Queensland Origin teammate Justin Hodges in the centres.

Both Wallace and Lockyer will seek out Folau with their bombs, taking advantage of his amazing aerial skills which were almost impossible to combat in 2008.

"Look at the backline, it's nearly an international backline with him there," enthused Wallace who expects his combination with Lockyer to be even better next season.

"It's one of Israel's major strike weapons, going up high for the ball.

"He's awesome in the air so I don't think it's a secret we're going to be trying to cash in with that."
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Broncos 2009 Trials

December 16th 2008 15:24
THE WOW Brisbane Broncos will play a match on the Sunshine Coast for the first time in over a decade when the 2009 trial season begins.

The club will also support affiliates Wynnum and Redcliffe with full-scale trials next year.

Wynnum will be the first venue for a trial in 2009, with the Broncos to take on the Gold Coast Titans at Kougari Oval on Valentine’s Day, Saturday, February 14.

Rugby League Brisbane Broncos Trials


Redcliffe will be next stop for the NRL team, with the Broncos hosting Canberra at Dolphin Oval on February 21.

The following week will see the Broncos head to the Sunshine Coast for the first time since a trial match at Coolum in the early 1990s.

Melbourne are hosting a trial match at Quad Park, Kawana Waters, on February 28 and have chosen the Broncos as their opposition.

Country Queensland is also on the map with the Broncos under-20s to play matches in Gympie, Rockhampton and Toowoomba.

The under-20s will have their final hit-out before the start of the National Youth Competition against Queensland Cup club Easts Tigers at Langlands Park on February 28.

Broncos’ full trial schedule;

Saturday, February 7
Brisbane Broncos v Wide Bay Selection - Albert Park, Gympie (Time: TBA)

Saturday, February 14
Brisbane Broncos NRL v Gold Coast Titans NRL - Kougari Oval, Wynnum (Time: 7pm)
Brisbane Broncos NYC v Central Comets QRL - Browne Park, Rockhampton (Time: 7.30pm)

Saturday, February 21
Brisbane Broncos NRL v Canberra Raiders NRL - Dolphin Oval, Redcliffe (Time: 7pm)
Brisbane Broncos NYC v Toowoomba - Clive Berghofer Stadium, Toowoomba (Time: TBA)

Saturday, February 28
Brisbane Broncos NRL v Melbourne Storm NRL - Quad Park, Kawana (Time: TBA)
Brisbane Broncos NYC v Easts Tigers QRL - Langlands Park, Coorparoo (Time:TBA)
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Cowboys, Titans and Broncos players joined forces with one very wet Santa yesterday to bring Christmas cheer to over 60 special children.

Cowboys Matthew Bowen, Luke O'Donnell, Aaron Payne, Carl Webb, Ty Williams and Manase Manuokafoa were among 18 NRL players who attended the NRL's One Community Christmas Party at ReefHQ Aquarium in Townsville.

The players met children from programs including the Townsville Hospital Foundation, Lifeline, Camp Quality, Pathways, Make-a-Wish and Foster Care Australia, as well as some other special young people.

Qld NRL One Community
Manase Manuokafoa (left) And Ty Williams (right) With A Young Fan


The event included a guided tour of the aquarium and the predator exhibit, featuring reef sharks, stingrays and sea turtles.

The tour was followed by a special visit from Scuba Santa, a casual afternoon tea and plenty of opportunities for photographs and autograph signings.

Qld NRL One Community Scuba Santa
Scuba Santa Entertains The Crowd


Forward Carl Webb enjoyed the opportunity to help make the event a special one for the children involved.

"Talking to the children and hearing their stories is a very grounding experience," Webb said.

"All of the players would love the youngsters to go away with a special memory of the day and we're glad to have been chosen to go along."

Cowboys Media Release

11th December 2008
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Broncos make two changes

March 18th 2008 05:40
MEDIA RELEASE - Brisbane Broncos

Brisbane Broncos



Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett has been forced into making two changes for this weeks Good Friday clash with the Sydney Roosters.

Forwards Dave Taylor and NIck Kenny will make their return from injury off the bench for the highly anticipated clash with the Roosters, replacing the injured Corey Parker and Joel Clinton respectively.

Brisbane Broncos Team vs Sydney Roosters (Round 2)

Karmichael Hunt
Reece Robinson
Steve Michaels
Justin Hodges
Darius Boyd
Darren Lockyer ©
Peter Wallace
Ben Hannant
PJ Marsh
Sam Thaiday
David Stagg
Ashton Sims
Tonie Carroll

Interchange:-
Shane Perry
Greg Eastwood
David Taylor
Nick Kenny
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Brisbane Broncos


Brisbane Broncos



Attack – 9/10
Defence – 8/10
My Prediction – 1st

Despite the shock resignation of Brisbane coaching stalwart Wayne Bennett, season 2008 always promised to be an exciting year for the new look Broncos. While the critics will say that the Broncos will struggle with the loss of Civoniceva, Carlaw, Berrigan and Tate from their lineup, I believe that the Broncos look a lot more potent side, given their off season signings.

Both Karmichael Hunt and Darren Lockyer will be fresh and primed for a big season after sitting out the majority of season ’07 through injury, and the addition of Wallace and Marsh will provide Bennett with an array of play making options. Given that the players will be keen to send Bennett out on a wining note, as well as a less demanding player involvement around Origin time, expect Brisbane to feature prominently at the business end of the season.

Strengths-

The Broncos will employ one of the premierships most lethal hooking duos in 2008, with former Eels rake PJ Marsh returning to the Sunshine State to share the dummy half role with incumbent rake, Michael Ennis. With attacking dynamos Justin Hodges and Karmichael Hunt feeding off creative halves Darren Lockyer and Peter Wallace, the Broncos will be one of the most dangerous attacking units in the competition.

Despite losing the experience of Civoniceva, Thorn, Berrigan and Carlaw up front, the Broncos have lost nothing in power, with Joel Clinton, Ashton Sims, Sam Thaiday and Corey Parker set to provide the muscle in the engine room.

Weaknesses-

Rookie flankers Darius Boyd and Steve Michaels should get first shot at the two starting wing positions for the Broncos Round One match against the Panthers, but will be under immense pressure to perform with the likes of Denan Kemp, Tom Hewitt and Rodney Davies waiting in the wings.

Gone are the days where the Broncos utilised powerful wingers like Wendall Sailor and Lote Tuquiri as extra forwards, with the diminutive Brisbane wingers of last season often targeted under the high ball. If the successful aerial assaults continue, than both Boyd and Michaels will be playing alot of Queensland Cup this season.


Best Team-

1- Karmichael Hunt
2- Darius Boyd
3- Justin Hodges
4- David Stagg
5- Steve Michaels
6- Darren Lockyer
7- Peter Wallace
8- Joel Clinton
9- Michael Ennis
10- Dave Taylor
11- Corey Parker
12- Sam Thaiday
13- Tonie Carroll

14- Ben Hannant
15- Ashton Sims
16- PJ Marsh
17 – Nick Kenny

Trial Matches-

16/2/08 v North QLD Cowboys @ Browne Park, Rockhampton
23/2/08 v Canberra Raiders @ Wade Park, Orange
01/03/08 v Melbourne Storm @ Dolphin Park, Redcliffe

2008 Gains and Losses-

Gains – Joel Clinton and Peter Wallace (Penrith), Ashton Sims and Tom Hewitt (St George-Illawarra), PJ Marsh (Parramatta)

Losses – Petero Civoniceva (Penrith), Shaun Berrigan (Hull), Brent Tate (New Zealand), Dane Carlaw (Les Catalans), Brad Thorn (Super 14 – Canterbury), Ian Lacey and John Te Reo (sacked), Andrew Lomu (released)



*Please join me tomorrow for my Analysis of the Canterbury Bulldogs 2008 season.

Cheers,

StephenP
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Panthers buck Broncos in a thriller

March 30th 2007 13:45
Not even four tries to representative centre Justin Hodges could secure the Brisbane Broncos first win of the season, with an extra time field goal to Penrith’s Peter Wallace allowing the Panthers to escape with a nail biting 29-28 victory at Suncorp Stadium tonight.

While Wallace may have been the hero for the Panthers, centre Justin Hodges easily took the man of the match honours, scoring four bullocking tries to vindicate coach Wayne Bennett’s decision to delay naming him for tonight’s clash.

In what was a see-sawing, gripping match, the lead changed hands constantly throughout the game, much to the pleasure of a strong Suncorp Stadium crowd.

Brisbane skipper Darren Lockyer posted the first points of the match through two consecutive penalty goals, but both teams early momentum was thwarted by poor handling and crunching defence.

A beautiful cut out pass by Panthers fullback Rhys Wesser allowed the visitors to strike back in the 20th minute, with flashy winger Michael Gordon crossing in the corner. Gordon was able to convert his own try from wide out, to establish a 6-4 lead.

Hodges scored the first of his four tries just three minutes later, when he was able to step, barge and scoot 25 metres from the scrum base to cross in the corner. Lockyer missed the tough conversion attempt from the sideline, but the Broncos had the ascendancy at 8-6.

In what was a carbon copy of Gordon’s first try, another perfectly weighted cut out pass allowed him to cross for his second try just three minutes later. Gordon pushed his conversion attempt wide, and the Panthers snatched back a 10-8 advantage.

In a night of replays, Justin Hodges scored his second try in the 31st minute through a replica scrum base manoeuvre, holding off two Penrith defenders to dot down in the corner. A magnificent sideline conversion by Darren Lockyer put the Broncos back in front at 14-10.

Young Panthers centre Michael Jennings made up for two earlier defensive errors, intercepting a Darren Lockyer cut out pass to race 75 metres to score under the posts. Gordon was able to nail his easiest conversion of the night, and the Panthers looked set to go to the sheds with a 16-14 advantage.

However, a Brisbane mistake just before half time handed Penrith terrific field position, and a magnificent one handed offload by Trent Waterhouse saw former Origin centre Luke Lewis cross next to the posts. After displaying some accurate goal kicking over the opening rounds of the premiership, Michael Gordon pushed an easy conversion attempt wide, leaving the Panthers 20-14 up at the main break.

Under an injury cloud all week, Justin Hodges repaid coach Bennett’s faith in naming him in tonight’s match, by sprinting 80 metres to chalk up his third try of the night. Lockyer’s conversion ensured the game was all tied up at 20 all, and it was obvious to all and sundry that this match would be a cliff-hanger.

After Hodges fourth barge over try of the night, and a Darren Lockyer penalty goal with eight minutes left on the clock, the home side looked set to chalk up their first win of the season in front of their adoring home crowd.

However quick tries to Jennings and Panthers fullback Rhys Wesser handed Penrith a chance to steal victory right on full time, but Michael Gordon’s conversion attempt sailed wide, pushing the game into extra time.

Usually reliable Panthers skipper Craig Gower had two chances to snatch victory in the first period of golden point, but both field goal attempts fell agonisingly wide.

But with three minutes left on the clock, and realising that Gower would be heavily marked, new Panthers five-eight Peter Wallace ensured the Panthers would complete back to back victories, nailing a 44-metre drop goal to hand his team victory, 29-28.


Penrith Panthers 29 (Michael Gordon 2, Michael Jennings 2, Luke Lewis, Rhys Wesser tries; Michael Gordon 2 goals, Peter Wallace field goal)
Defeated
Brisbane Broncos 28
(Justin Hodges 4 tries; Darren Lockyer 6 goals)
In extra time
At Suncorp Stadium
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Brisbane Broncos Round 3 Analysis

March 28th 2007 09:04









In what is sure to be a major boost for the struggling defending premiers, inspirational Broncos skipper Darren Lockyer is set to make a shock return this Friday night against the Panthers, just two weeks after sustaining a serious ankle injury.

Lockyer's surprise return has forced coach Wayne Bennett to shuffle around his non firing backline, with Karmichael Hunt's foray into the number seven jersey only lasting two games. Hunt has replaced Justin Hodges at the back this week, with the big Maroon shifting into the centres to replace rising star Joel Moon.

The return of Lockyer comes at a critical time for the Brisbane team, after having experienced back to back losses against the Cowboys and Warriors, coupled with the suspension this week of lock Tonie Carroll. Prop Corey Parker is still a few weeks away from returning, but the biggest concern for Bennett is his sides defence.


Injuries –

Corey Parker - wrist - Round 9
David Stagg - shoulder - Round 4

Team VS Penrith Panthers :-

Karmichael Hunt, Steve Michaels, Brent Tate, Justin Hodges, Darius Boyd, Darren Lockyer, Shane Perry, Dane Carlaw, Shaun Berrigan, Petero Civoniceva ©, Sam Thaiday, Brad Thorn, Greg Eastwood
Bench – Nick Kenny, Ben Hannant, Andrew Lomu, Ian Lacey
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