Star players get NRL pumping on local fields

EXCITEMENT as past Fijian rugby player heads to town for Broncos game.

Payne Haas at Brisbane Broncos training. Picture: Liam Kidston

OPINION WITH GERARD WALSH

I FEEL the adrenaline in my veins when I see the first cricketers on the field in September each year.

This week, my adrenaline is starting to flow in the run up to the Brisbane Broncos clash with Souths Logan Magpies at 6pm Saturday.

One only has to research the background of the five players with NRL experience who are playing in Warwick to know we could be looking at some of the Broncos players who will be in a grand final win within the next two to three years.

This game is first up for the Broncos this season and then usually give their top guns an extra fortnight in the off season as they want them at their best on grand final day if they make it.

I have heard a lot about Payne Haas, but how good is Palm Beach Currumbin High School product Tom Dearden who will start at halfback?

Former Fijian rugby union star Ilikena Vudogo was best player at an under-20 Rugby World Cup, so watching him come off the bench will be worth the admission price alone.

I am also looking forward to the dinner and I think it is great the way Matthew Lodge has turned his career around after being in the news for the wrong reasons.

The three players coming to Warwick for the Friday night dinner, Andrew McCullough, Tevita Pangai Jnr and Lodge have been hand picked as the club's ambassadors this weekend and they will also be coaching the juniors.

Broncos coach Anthony Seibold will be in Warwick for the dinner and coaching sessions. Both McCullough and Seibold have played carnival cricket in Warwick.

Don't miss the festivities, this is the first NRL team in town for 60 years.