Two decades on, a forgotten premiership hero serves as Broncos beacon of hope

Throughout the star-studded line-up which captured headlines 20 years ago, a little known halfback set about etching his name into Broncos’ folklore.

Now, one of the club’s greatest players believes the current under siege crop must adhere to the lessons taken from unheralded halfback, Shane Perry.

Speaking in Brisbane at the reunion of the club’s 2006 premiership triumph, Darren Lockyer detailed how Perry proved a key cog in that fateful run to the title.

He may not have come with the pedigree of Lockyer, Justin Hodges, Shane Webcke or Brad Thorn, but Perry – who played 43 games for Brisbane before spending a year at Catalans in France – epitomised what the 2026 Broncos must emulate if they are to emerge from an injury crisis as a competition heavyweight.

Lockyer said despite losing five-straight games after the Origin period that year, the big game experience of key men ensured they overcame a rampant Melbourne Storm on grand final day – a feat the defending champions of today can still emulate.

But the unsung heroes, he said, needed to rise to the occasion.

“There are so many great stories within the premierships, and Shane Perry was one of those. He brought a sense of calmness, he had a great kicking game, and he was a very smart footballer,” Lockyer said.

“Shane wasn’t the fastest No.7 going around, but he was perfect for what the team needed at the time. I don’t think we can underestimate what he brought to that team and how much he contributed to winning 2006.

“I think for a lot of people who maybe didn’t think they’d get the opportunity and then get their opportunity, they want to make the most of it. Shane definitely did that, and I think that’s always been the Broncos ethos.

“If you get the Broncos jersey, it’s yours to keep if you do the right thing by it. We weren’t the best team throughout the year, but we got our timing right at the end of the year.”

Brisbane’s overflowing casualty ward this year has threatened to spoil coach Michael Maguire’s bid to defend the NRL title, with 13 top-line players unavailable for Sunday’s Magic Round clash with the Warriors. Skipper Adam Reynolds will return from concussion, while Ben Hunt made an early comeback from a knee issue last week.

Among those setbacks is winger Deine Mariner, who has been discharged from a Sydney hospital and returned home after suffering from acute compartment syndrome following the loss to the Sydney Roosters.

So severe was the concern, Mariner underwent surgery to save his leg from being amputated. Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam confirmed his teammate appeared in good spirits, despite the fact his season will now likely be over.

“I was very happy to see Deine, I saw him yesterday at the club and had a little moment there with him when I was talking about how he was one of the first guys who came over, and he’s still here [from] the academy when I was here,” Mam said.

“We shared that little moment, and it’s always good to reflect on that and see him in good spirits walking around with the crutches.”

The Broncos will now need to rely on lesser known squad members Ben Talty, Hayze Perham, Preston Riki and rookie winger Phillip Coates – the younger brother of Maroons star Xavier to make his debut this week.

While the club managed impressive wins against the Tigers and Bulldogs, they have since suffered defeats to the Roosters and Sea Eagles in a worrying sign fatigue was setting in.

But 2006 premiership-winning fullback Justin Hodges believed there were similarities between his famous group and the modern-day team.

“Even going back to last year there were heaps of similarities where they struggled after Origin. Everyone wrote us off, then we got together and had a dream run,” Hodges said.

“This current side rings a little bit of that. If you look at Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan – those types of guys – we mould them into a Shane Webcke or Petero Civoniceva.

“They’ve just got to keep working hard, you can’t rely on what you did last year. To win the comp, they’ve got to work even harder than they did last year.”

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