Broncos open training day to draw fan frenzy ahead of Storm clash

The Brisbane Broncos’ blockbuster NRL final against the Melbourne Storm is the hottest ticket in town, but the team’s open training session is shaping up an epic curtain raiser.

A Broncos fan gets a selfie with prop Payne Haas at last week’s captains run. Picture: Adam Head

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The Brisbane Broncos’ blockbuster NRL final against the Melbourne Storm is the hottest ticket in town, but the team’s open training session is shaping up an epic curtain raiser.

Crowds of up to 200 have flocked to recent open sessions, with hype building ahead of the Broncos’ biggest finals campaign since its ill-fated run of 2015.

Thursday’s open session is tipped to be the biggest yet, with zone restrictions in place to control crowds for player and public safety, with more children and adults set to skip school and work to see their heroes and chase autographs.

Broncos chief executive Dave Donaghy said the support from members and fans had been extraordinary, and none more so than from its Brisbane-based faithful.

“It’s been unreal at training sessions, and a great chance for people to see the men up close and working hard,” Donaghy said.

“Thursday will be no different, we’re expecting another big crowd, which is a wonderful position to be in, and certainly a far cry from what the group have experienced these past few seasons.

“It’s so pleasing to see the city up and about and enjoying the team’s success, right there alongside us.”

Pat Carrigan and the Broncos team train at Suncorp Stadium ahead of their semi-final against the Melbourne Storm on Friday. Picture: Adam Head

Broncos lock forward Pat Carrigan, who was only 10 when Brisbane last beat Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium back in 2009, praised the fans for sticking with the club through thick and thin.

Carrigan said the same fans that showed up for the 2023 success had been there for the club’s darkest days when it finished dead last.

“Oh I reckon they will turn up, they have been doing it for the past six months,” Carrigan said ahead of Thursday’s open session.

“They are passionate. Rode the waves of 2020. There are people’s faces that I still see there at training who were there in 2020, those bums that are putting on seats, I don’t forget that.

“It’s a bit of extra motivation there on Friday night, those people that stuck with us then are still with us now and that’s why you do it.”

Winger Selwyn Cobbo meeting some of his fans at last week’s captains run. Picture: Adam Head

More than 45,000 tickets have sold for Friday’s looming sellout with only a few thousand up for grabs.

Former skipper Alex Glenn said a 50,000-plus crowd would be the Broncos’ 18th man and help the club secure a preliminary final.

“Oh, I think as an athlete you all know the positives around playing at home,” Glenn said.

“When times get tough and it gets into a grind and you’re looking for a breather, all it takes is to hear a chant from the crowd to get you back up and give you that purpose to just keep going.

“The home prelim is so vital, if you can get that, secure that, it will be huge for our boys.

“This Friday will be a massive test. I can’t wait.”