Renouf doubles down on 2006 speech to inspire Broncos

West Australian

a day ago

Brisbane legend Steve Renouf has revived a 2006 speech he made and urged the current squad to "own your jerseys" and do past greats proud in the hope they can turn around their recent form slump.
The Broncos have lost six games out of seven and must get their season on track against last-placed Gold Coast at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
In 2006, Brisbane lost five games on the trot with four-time premiership winner and the club's leading try scorer Renouf ringing coach Wayne Bennett, concerned about the displays and that some players weren't "owning" the jerseys they were wearing.
At that stage the greats of the 1990s had a mortgage on what it meant to be a Bronco. Renouf's No.3, Allan Langer's No.7 and the No.11/12 of Gorden Tallis had a real gravitas.
"In 2006 I was watching them, like I have been of late, and I rang Wayne and said, 'that was terrible'," Renouf told AAP.
"He said, 'why don't you come in and tell them?' I came to training with my 1992 grand final jersey. I gave a talk and said, 'there are only someof you that treasure the jersey like we did. This is my jersey, No.3.'
"I said, 'I want you to take it off me. You have to want that jersey'."
The Broncos kept the jersey and put it up in the dressing room in their stellar run to win the grand final.
Darren Lockyer, Shane Webcke, Petero Civoniceva, Brad Thorn and Justin Hodges are among the 2006 players who would be in the Broncos' greatest ever side.
Of the current group only Payne Haas would have a similar claim.
"That Broncos jersey has always come with a standard attached to it and it still does," Renouf said.
"It is one of the most well-know sporting brands in the country. It is a privilege to play for our club.
"The players have to do the jersey proud and compete for 80 minutes. We weren't perfect but we knew if we were down in a game our teammate would pick us up.
"We didn't see that against Manly (in last week's 34-6 loss) and it's just not there at the moment. They hit a rough patch and they just drop the ball."
Renouf is hoping for "a reverse reaction" against the Titans.
"It comes down to individuals. Payne shines every week and (lock) Pat Carrigan," Renouf said.
"I don't want to single out players and be personal but it is about self-realisation. Wayne used to say, 'you tell me what you think I might not be happy with'. It makes you realise where you did stuff up and need to improve."
When Renouf speaks about how the club changed his life as a footballer and a man, the emotion and care for the Broncos is palpable. His comments come absolutely from the right place.
Renouf has spoken of his high regard for current centre Kotoni Staggs and recently dropped outside back Selwyn Cobbo, both of whom he has worked with in the Deadly Choices program to promote positive health and life choices in the Indigenous community. He wants both players to be part of a successful Broncos future.
Staggs said he was committed to honouring past greats like Renouf.
"That's the legacy that they started and they've handed down to us. They've been people that we've looked up to," he said.
"This jersey that we put on, it means a lot. For what I do in this jersey myself, it's about who I pass it down to next. Every time I put this jersey on, I wear it with all my heart. I try to make sure I leave everything out on the field."