The Weight of the Jersey: Pride, History, and Responsibility
There’s something about the Brisbane Broncos jersey. You put it on and it hits different. It’s heavy, not in a bad way. It sits on your shoulders, in your chest. It’s pride, history, and responsibility.
From Auckland to Brisbane: The Journey
I remember my first year. Just a kid from Auckland, trying to prove I belonged. I grew up idolising the Broncos and looked up to legends like Darren Lockyer, Sam Thaiday, and Corey Parker. It meant everything to me to be at the club, earning the right to wear these colours. The Brisbane Broncos aren’t just a team – they’re a standard. Wearing this jersey isn’t just about playing NRL footy. It’s about respect – for the club, the fans, the boys beside you, and the players who came before you.
Then having the honour of being captain – that was surreal. I’d never set out to do it but became the first-ever non-Australian to captain the Brisbane Broncos. Crazy!
Leadership: Controlling What You Can Control
I learned early that there’s no point stressing about what you can’t control. I tried to bring that to my leadership. Focus on what you can. Control the controllable. For me, that meant preparation – every session, every rep, every detail. Tick every box. Be a student of the game. When you do that, game day becomes the fun part. You can’t dictate the result, but you can give yourself every chance to perform at your best.
The True Meaning of the Jersey
Over the years, you learn what it really means to wear the Broncos jersey. It’s not just about trophies or premierships. It’s about every tackle, every run, every hard session when nobody’s watching. It’s about friendship, brotherhood, and sacrifice. The moments you never forget.
The 2015 Grand Final: A Heartbreaking Loss, But Unbreakable Pride
I’ll never forget the 2015 NRL Grand Final. It was a tough loss – I was gutted. Disappointments like that can make you question yourself. But when you put the Broncos jersey back on, it fires you up again. It reminds you why you fight. Why you keep showing up.
2025 Grand Final: A Moment of Redemption and Triumph
But then came 2025. That Grand Final – man, what a moment. Even though I didn’t play, it was everything. Ben Hunt holding that cup – that one hit different. I’ve been there with him through highs and lows no one else saw. We all remember 2015. That was hard. Seeing him come back, lead the team, bring the premiership home – it hit me right in the chest. Not just for him, but for everyone who’s ever bled for this jersey.
I wasn’t on the field that night, but I felt every second. Watching him lift that cup felt like we were all there – the boys from 2015, the old crew, everyone. We started as kids in 2007. Lost two grand finals, but we kept going. Believed in ourselves. Believed in the Broncos jersey.
The Importance of Hard Work and Legacy
I believe that if you’re going to do something, then lock in and make it happen. No one handed me anything. I had to break down walls to create a life no one in my family had before me. Was it easy? Hell no. But I’d do it all again tomorrow. Hard work builds character. It builds legacy. And now my kids are watching – they need to know what hard work really means.
Hard Work, Legacy, and What It Means to Be a Bronco
That’s what it means to me to wear the Broncos jersey. You fight. You don’t give up. You get back up every time. You put the team first. You play for the fans. You play for the boys beside you. You play for everyone who wore it before you.
I love the Brisbane Broncos. I never played for another team, and I’m proud of that. I’ve given my heart and soul to it – teammates, staff, fans, people who become part of your story. Footy isn’t just a game. It’s stories, loyalty, redemption. It’s moments that stay with you forever.
So, what does it mean to wear the Broncos jersey for me? Pride. Responsibility. Resilience. Family. Never giving up. Honouring the past. Committing to the present. Inspiring the future.
I’m a Bronco to the core, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.