The best Broncos from NSW of all time

I was having a look through the list of players who have appeared for the Broncos since they joined the big time in 1988 and was impressed by just how many of the nearly 280 players who have represented the club in first grade since its inception actually come from Queensland.

I suppose it stands to reason, being the first Queensland-based team, but still, the vast majority were born and bred in the Sunshine State.

Of the non-banana benders, there are the usual suspects born in PNG, like Neville Costigan, the UK, like Jack Reed and Herbie Farnworth, Fiji, like Petero Civoniceva, and NZ, like Alex Glenn and Brad Thorn, and even one or two hailing from Victoria, like Peter Wallace.

There’s also a small contingent born in NSW, and that’s the group this article focuses on.

The following is a pretty competitive team of Broncos players who were born in NSW, and there may be one or two surprises. (Details in brackets are the player’s place of birth and the number of games played for the Broncos).

1. Julian O’Neill (Hornsby NSW, 105)

A real rugby league journeyman who played for ten clubs in his 360-plus game career, as well as appearing in 11 Origins for Queensland and one Super League Test. He won two premierships with the Broncos and a Challenge Cup final with Wigan.

2. Israel Folau (Minto NSW, 39)

A prolific try scorer who has played everything but soccer in his career so far and hopes to represent Tonga at the next Rugby World Cup. Played eight Origins for Queensland, eight Tests for the Kangaroos and 73 Tests for the Wallabies.

3. Kotoni Staggs (Wellington NSW, 63 and counting)

A young star on the rise who makes life very difficult for his opponents. He knows the way to the try line, is a reliable goal kicker and has played two matches for Tonga.

4. James Roberts (Kempsey NSW, 81)

Roberts is a real speedster with all the talent in the world but has never settled in at any one of the five clubs he’s played for to date. Has played three Origins for NSW.

5. Michael De Vere (Caringbah NSW, 161)

A natural talent with speed to burn and also a great goal kicker. Won three titles with the Broncos, played four Tests for Australia and five Origins for NSW.

6. Anthony Mundine (Newtown NSW, 18)

He turned out to be a far better boxer than a footballer but he did win a Super League title with the Broncos and play three Origins for NSW.

7. Adam Reynolds (Sydney NSW, nine and counting)

South Sydney legend and record point scorer who has played no small part in the Broncos’ resurgence this year. Won a premiership with South Sydney and has played two Origins for NSW.

(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

8. Glen Lazarus (Queanbeyan NSW, 118)

One of the best and most successful front rowers of all time who won five premierships with three different clubs, including two with the Broncos. He played 22 Tests for Australia and 22 Origins for NSW.

9. Luke Priddis (Dubbo NSW, 79)

He won premierships with both the Broncos and Penrith, picked up a Clive Churchill medal along the way, and played two games for Australia, as well as five for NSW.

10. Payne Haas (Newcastle NSW, 71 and counting)

Combines high levels of talent, avarice and ill-discipline to make him an interesting proposition both on and off the field. At just 22, he already has two Tests and seven Origins for NSW under his belt.

11. Billy Noke (Dubbo NSW, 16)

A talented ball-playing second rower who just had the one season with Brisbane, and played off the bench in their inaugural side in 1988.

12. Sam Thaiday (Sydney NSW, 304)

That’s right, the Broncos 300-gamer and Queensland star with 29 Origins and 32 Tests to his name began life as a Blue before heading north as a four-year-old. He won a premiership with Brisbane in 2006.

13. Terry Matterson (Auburn NSW, 156)

Played lock in the Broncos’ inaugural side and won premierships with them in both 1992 and 1993. A prolific point scorer, Matterson played one Origin game for NSW.

14. Tevita Pangai (Ashfield NSW, 96)

Pangai was a square peg in a round hole during his time with the Broncos and still has not reached his potential.

15. Ashton Sims (Sutherland NSW, 56)

A big bopper who played nearly 370 first grade games, along with 15 games for Fiji.

16. Joel Clinton (Riverstone NSW, 45)

A boom forward in the early 2000s, a member of Penrith’s 2003 premiership side, and played one Test for Australia.

17. Matthew Lodge (Sydney NSW, 65)

Big and powerful with loads of ability but perhaps more trouble than he is worth.

Can you think of any other NSW-born Broncos who’d look good in this side?