Dylan Napa was cheering on wildly last time Wayne Bennett led Brisbane to the NRL title.
But in Friday night’s preliminary final the Sydney Roosters prop will be looking to do exactly the opposite and help sink the Broncos’ title dreams.
Napa was born in Brisbane and grew up as a Broncos fan before being lured to Bondi ahead of his first grade debut in 2013.
Napa didn’t play in the Roosters grand final win in 2013.
He was an important part of the Roosters side that qualified for the decider but was replaced in the “big one” by veteran Luke O’Donnell before the foundation club outlasted Manly to claim the premiership.
His finals series last year was interrupted by suspension, before he played in the Roosters’ preliminary final loss to South Sydney.
The 22-year-old Cook Islands international can right that record when he takes the field at Suncorp Stadium against Brisbane.
The Broncos are chasing their first title since 2006, but this time Napa won’t be on board.
“I’m Brisbane born and bred, I grew up a Broncos fan but it wasn’t to be,” Napa said.
“We were the minor premiers, we only just beat them to that we, now we have to do it again.
“We played them early on in the year and went to golden point and the second game was close too, we are expecting a similar game, we are ready for a fight.”
Napa helped to lay the platform for the Roosters 38-12 win over Canterbury in Friday’s semi-final, standing up to Bulldogs international prop and captain James Graham in the absence of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.
“I have played that way my whole life,it is not just because Jared is out that I’m trying to stand up for myself,” Napa said.
“I’m just trying to do what is best for the team, and obviously that is standing up as a leader in the forwards.”
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