Allan Langer has mastered the art as Broncos trainer

HE is Brisbane’s 18th man. A mischievous old halfback who spends more time on the field, runs more metres and directs more play than most players.

HE is the Broncos’ 18th man. A mischievous old halfback who spends more time on the field, runs more metres and directs more play than most of the players.

At least these days Alfie Langer has fallen into line with NRL guidelines for blue-shirt trainers and survived his first season without being fined by the game’s administration.

On Friday night we spent the entire 80 minutes of the Broncos-Roosters final at Allianz Stadium watching Alfie’s every move with a stopwatch.

All up he spent 20 minutes and 40 seconds on the field.

Outside of two collisions with touch judge Kasey Badger in the second half, it was just another night at the office for the now 51-year-old former Kangaroo and Maroons superstar.

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Broncos trainer Allan Langer gives the troops a rev up on Friday night. Picture: Brett Costello

These days the rules have been made tougher for the blue trainers.

They must immediately leave the field once their assigned task has been completed or when the referee calls fourth tackle.

Their role is limited to interchange of players, delivery of water and carrying messages to individual team members.

They can only be on the field when their team has possession, a try has been scored, while waiting for a video referee decision or during an injury stoppage.

The NRL has fined eight clubs this year for breaking the rules.

The worst offender is Sharks trainer Steve Price, who has been hit with $7000 worth of fines, some of which the club is now appealing. Not Alfie.

Langer getting orders from the coach’s box before heading onto the field. Picture: Brett Costello

“We’ve seen a big change this year,” says Nathan McGuirk, who is in charge of NRL operations.

“Our ground managers say he’s one of the best trainers now in complying with the rules.”

Alfie entered the field of play for the first time in the third minute. Some water for James Roberts and a general rev-up. Just 42 seconds.

He was back out there two minutes later to deliver drinks for Anthony Milford and Tautau Moga. Sixty seconds.

In between breaks he occasionally wears headphones to get direct messages from the coaching box.

Mitch Aubusson opened up the Broncos with a right-side charge in the 12th minute.

Next time the Broncos got the football he was straight out there with a message for Moga and Corey Oates, who were defending where the Roosters had split them.

The NRL says Langer is one of the best trainers going around. Picture: Brett Costello

Alfie’s like a second five-eighth when he’s out there.

He stands slightly deeper than the first receiver, follows each play and spits out his messages.

In the second half, Langer entered the field of play before the two-minute mark with a few instructions and a drink for Oates. Just 50 seconds.

Luke Keary scored for the Roosters in the third minute and Alfie grabbed the headsets. Another message from upstairs and he was straight out to deliver Wayne Bennett’s words of wisdom.

For an old bloke, he’s showing no sign of fatigue. Always pumped. Always on the move.

Sometimes to deliver water, sometimes sticky spray, the towel or just words of encouragement.

All up he entered the field of play 40 times — on 18 occasions in the first half and 22 in the second.

Langer gets stuck into the Broncos during their final against the Roosters. Picture: Brett Costello

Only once did we catch him out there after the fourth-tackle call.

It was in the final minutes. Almost the last play. Benji Marshall grubber-kicked to his right instead of passing.

As the Roosters comfortably regathered possession, you know it wouldn’t have been Alfie’s tip. Not a chance.

The little maestro would have drilled it into the in-goal area for a repeat set … or passed.

Finally, it was game over. The Alfie you saw celebrating Origin wins on the sideline is gone.

First up the tunnel. Before the refs.

He takes losses hard. Just like the old days.

Originally published as Allan Langer has mastered the art as Broncos trainer