North Queensland Cowboys enforcer Tariq Sims has revealed Anthony Griffin saved his career

COWBOYS enforcer Tariq Sims has revealed under-siege Broncos coach Anthony Griffin saved his career and rescued him from wasting his talent.

Cowboys enforcer says his career was saved by Broncos coach Anthony Griffin.

NORTH Queensland enforcer Tariq Sims has revealed under-siege Broncos coach Anthony Griffin saved his career.

Ahead of Friday’s much-anticipated annual derby clash at Suncorp Stadium, Sims made the frank admission to T he Courier-Mail that Griffin rescued him from wasting his talent.

A Griffin “ultimatum” to an 18-year-old Sims was the turning point that developed the rugged backrower into the State of Origin prospect he is now.

Sims, 24, said the Broncos would be his “enemies” at Suncorp Stadium this Friday night but his three years at Brisbane with then under-20’s coach Griffin engendered a “deep respect” for the club.

After moving north from New South Wales coastal town of Gerringong, Sims admits to falling prey to typical teenage vices.

News_Image_File: Cowboy Tariq Sims has revealed Broncos coach Anthony Griffin saved his career.

Sims was playing for Norths Devils in 2008, even debuting in the Queensland Cup, and Griffin would keep tabs on him knowing how much he could add to the Broncos in future years.

But Sims was undisciplined and at the end of 2008, Griffin told him bluntly to pull his head in if he wanted to be a Bronco.

He was also told he needed to bulk up to crack first grade and 20 kilograms later he transformed from a lanky winger to a backrower.

While Sims’ NRL debut eventually came in Cowboys colours, he admits leaving Griffin was a difficult choice.

“I would never say a bad word about the Brisbane Broncos,” Sims said.

“I have a lot of respect for Anthony Griffin he helped shape me into the man I am today.

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“I had come to Brisbane straight out of school. I was 17 and went from going to school five days a week to working a job six days a week and training.

“I wasn’t focused on football.

“I was in that muck around mode.

“I wanted to see what else was out there apart from a little town called Gerringong.

“At the end of 08 season Hook gave me an ultimatum.

“I knuckled down in 09 and 10 so yeah he really helped shape me.

“He and Crolly (new Cowboys trainer Andrew Croll) were instrumental in building me as a young player.”

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“I hope Hook hangs in there. Hook has a lot to offer and if the boys buy into it they will be fine, until the Cowboys come to town.

“There is no better rivalry than Brisbane against the Cowboys.

“The extra motivation is there for me to get one over the old club.”

Sims said he left Brisbane to learn off the Cowboys senior players.

Sims began his Cowboys career in 2011 after winning the National Youth Competition’s player of the season before he broke the same leg twice, ruining his 2012 season.

“The opportunity was too good to miss,” he said of his move north.

“It was a chance to learn and form good habits under the players that were up here and the coaching staff too.”