As the Broncos face the Dragons, Darius Boyd says quitting St George Illawarra changed his life

FROM the outside, it looked like a disaster. But Broncos fullback Darius Boyd says leaving the Dragons was the best decision of his career.

Brisbane Broncos player Darius Boyd during training at Red Hill. Pics Tara Croser.

FROM the outside, it looked like a disaster. But Broncos fullback Darius Boyd says leaving the Dragons was the best decision of his career.

Boyd will face off against one of his former clubs — and a clash with the fullback the Broncos nearly had — at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.

Boyd played three seasons under Wayne Bennett at St George-Illawarra, winning the Clive Churchill Medal in the Dragons’ 2010 premiership triumph. He followed Bennett to Newcastle in a move that yielded little on-field success yet in Boyd’s eyes was a turning point in his life.

It was at Newcastle in 2014 that Boyd hit rock bottom, finally realising his battle with depression needed addressing.

He returned to Brisbane last year, alongside Bennett again, as a different man and put the pain of a serious achilles injury behind him to lead the Broncos to the grand final.

“It was tough to leave,” Boyd said of his Dragons departure at the end of 2011.

“We were very successful, which is enjoyable and pleasing. I made the decision to leave because it was best for my career to follow Wayne.

“I thought I’d be a better player under Wayne and continue to grow as a player under Wayne. It was the best decision I ever made to go to Newcastle.

“It changed me as a person. I really learnt a lot about myself on and off the field.”

At the other end of the field will be NSW star Josh Dugan.

In 2013, the Broncos withdrew a $2 million offer to Dugan following a social media scandal. Dugan later joined the Dragons, who have undergone an overhaul since Boyd last pulled on the Red V.

“It’s just another game,” Boyd said. “Early on when you first leave the club, it’s sentimental. You have those moments.

“In the early years a lot of the guys you’ve played with before are still in the team. As the years go on it changes. The Dragons have only got two or three players left from when I was there.”

Boyd enjoyed success with the Dragons but needed to face his demons.

Boyd, 28, has rediscovered the touch that has made him a Queensland and Australian mainstay during his 11-season career.

Having a full pre-season with the Broncos has been behind his form surge but he is determined not to be left behind in the evolving position he plays.

Boyd, a veteran of 227 NRL appearances, bucks the trend of most fullbacks, choosing to defend in the line for most of the set before retreating for a kick.

While it means his workload is increased, it gives the Broncos an extra man in defence, something which is understated.

Boyd’s willingness to defend has been a boon for Brisbane.

“It’s something the boys appreciate,” Boyd said.

“It’s really hard to attack sometimes if you can chuck an extra number close to the ruck and push the wider guys out. You’ve got to be smart about it.

“When we played the Cowboys I jumped in the line and (Johnathan Thurston) saw me and chipped over the top. The smart ones see that and play for it but if you can get away with it, then it helps. These days every fullback is a classy runner and ballplayer as well.

“In juniors you put your best player at fullback. They’re a ballplayer who can kick and do it all.

“Billy (Slater) and Karmichael (Hunt) have been great ball-playing fullbacks. Gone are the days of it just being a supporting role where you run and catch. You’ve got to do everything on the field.”