Shane Perry was the only halfback to win a grand final for the Broncos not named Langer or Walters

Shane Perry was the unheralded halfback plucked out of reserve grade and into a team of household names - now 17 years later his successor has been crowned and it’s a very similar story.

He was the unheralded halfback plucked out of reserve grade and into a team of household names - now 17 years later his successor has been crowned.

Prior to Shane Perry’s arrival in 2006, the only Brisbane Broncos premiership winning halfbacks were named Langer or Walters.

Supercoach Wayne Bennett gave the Redcliffe regular a simple task: guide the team around and when Darren Lockyer wants the ball, give it, and give it fast.

Seventeen years later Perry’s mantle has been handed down.

The son of a gun Billy Walters is another unfashionable player who did his apprenticeship the long way, toiling through reserve grade and several NRL systems.

After graduating into the Broncos’ starting 13 he’s holding his own in a team dominated by headline acts - your Adam Reynolds, Patty Carrigans and Reece Walshs.

Shane Perry.

It was a similar case in 2006, when the Lockyers, Webckes and Karmichaels stole the limelight.

“He’s a bit younger than I was (at the time) but he’s made a great transition to hooker. His footy in the last couple of weeks has been amazing, making the most of the fast rucks,” Perry said of Billy the kid.

“I think it’s his defence, which is great. But we’re starting to see him run the ball a lot.

“With the special talents like Reece and the outside backs and that wonderful forward pack he doesn’t need to overplay his hand but he’s really bringing them onto the ball well.”

The hairs go up on the back of Perry’s neck in grand final week reminiscing the year that was in 2006.

From playing alongside Lockyer and Hodges to controlling an all-representative forward pack to the famous preliminary final comeback against the Bulldogs.

To think it all was sparked from a two-week training opportunity.

“After that two weeks I approached Wayne about staying on. He pretty much said yes and it went on from there. Pretty special yeah,” Perry said.

Shane Perry in 2006. Picture: Glenn/Barnes

Talk about making your own luck.

“That back end to our season was pretty special. We had a wonderful team and you just knew something good was going to happen,” he said.

“Apart from the hiccup we had in the first week of finals. Once we won that prelim, it’s a special feeling knowing you’re going to a grand final. Especially after being down at halftime (against Canterbury) and being written off.”

Comparisons can be made to the Broncos of 06 toppling a red hot Melbourne Storm side - to the Panthers juggernaut awaiting them on Sunday with the mountain men chasing a third title on the bounce.

But Perry, who is now a financial advisor, is backing another underdog story made out of maroon and gold.

“Penrith will definitely be hard to beat and deserve to be favourites. To make four grand finals is special,” he said.

“But I think the Broncos will win. They’ve got the x-factor in Walsh and as long as they get the go forward, his speed can be electric.

“I think they will win and win comfortably.”

Originally published as Shane Perry was the only halfback to win a grand final for the Broncos not named Langer or Walters