Petero Civoniceva in action during NRL Round 16. AAP Image Action Photographics
Petero Civoniceva will be 36 by the time the 2012 NRL season kicks off, but to him it’s just another irrelevant number. It’s just figures put together like the 215 games he played for Brisbane between 1998 and 2007 before departing for Penrith.
Just like his three premierships, 30 state of origin games for Queensland and 45 tests for Australia.
They’re all just numbers floating around in history books. The only thing Civoniceva has ever cared about is the next game, the next hit-up and the next tackle.
That’s why Brisbane haven’t just signed the riskiest deal of their short but illustrious history.
Ordinarily, any coach or CEO who bought a 35-year-old forward who has played as much football as Civoniceva, would be branded incompetent.
But the Maroons warhorse is the exception to the rule and Anthony Griffin may have just found the missing piece to his inexperienced but extremely talented puzzle.
Civoniceva’s departure should also go down as a win for Penrith.
There’s no use hiding the fact that big Petero was getting a little frustrated with the way things were heading at the Panthers.
Ben Hannant, the man he’ll pack down alongside next season, confirmed yesterday that during the origin series Civoniceva had voiced his concerns.
The Panthers captain was not only Matt Elliott’s right hand man when he was in charge, but also a close friend.
The fact Elliott was sacked on his watch wouldn’t have sat well.
The veteran forward also wanted to see his replacement Steve Georgallis given until the end of the 2011 season to prove himself. Instead, Ivan Cleary was signed from the Warriors in record time.
Civoniceva wasn’t being consulted and that in itself started to make him feel uneasy.
The moment rumours started swirling that he also wasn’t wanted next season he admitted to sounding out the Broncos and from there the idea got more appealing by the day.
The decision was made easier by the fact his wife and children were returning to Queensland at the end of the current season. The thought of being a part time husband and father was never going to work for a man who has thrown his heart and soul into everything he’s ever done.
You get the feeling that he butters his toast with more enthusiasm than most people show in an entire day.
As professional as Petero is the questions about his support for Cleary would’ve popped up frequently next season creating a distraction.
Now, that situation has been avoided.
The Panthers get the chance to splash some cash in the player market and Luke Lewis will take over as the leader of the club.
Petero, meanwhile, will more than likely retire in-front of fans that adore him and most importantly his friends and family.
It’s easy to be outraged by his exit, but when you take a level headed approach there’s no downside for either party.
Phil Gould won’t sign a lemon as his replacement and Petero will be treated like royalty at Red Hill as the Broncos push for a premiership.
I know two weeks ago that Gould said Civoniceva had the chance to be a Panther for life, but if he really wanted to stay he would have done so.
You get the feeling that this outcome, no matter how it came about, is right for everyone.
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