How John Singleton helped create iconic Brisbane Broncos team colours | Sport Confidential
Broncos co-founder Barry Maranta has revealed a drunk John Singleton is responsible for helping create Brisbane’s iconic maroon-and-gold stripes, after an alcohol-fuelled rant at a State of Origin game in 1987.
Brisbane’s co-founder Barry Maranta has revealed how a drunk John Singleton is responsible for the mighty Broncos brand.
In the week that Brisbane have unveiled a bold new logo, Maranta lifted the lid on a chance meeting with advertising guru Singleton four decades ago that gave the Broncos their iconic maroon-and-gold magic.
Maranta says the club’s founders were planning to have a blue, gold and white jersey – in honour of the city of Brisbane’s traditional colours – until ‘Singo’ delivered a candid, alcohol-fuelled rant during their meeting at a State of Origin game in 1987.
“Can I tell you the story behind our jersey,” Maranta told Kevin Walters’ Inside Ball podcast.
“The Brisbane Bullets were the big thing at the time – their colours were blue, gold and white.
“So we did our first jersey, we went down to the NSW rugby league, and said, ‘This is our jersey: blue, gold and white’.
“That night we were guests at the State of Origin (in a corporate box) and John Singleton was there pissed out of his eyeballs.
“We said, ‘Have a look at our jersey’.
“He had one look at it and yelled, ‘That is crap, don’t you ever run on the field in blue.’
“We were stunned. We just got it (passed by) the NSW rugby league, so we had to go back to the drawing board.
“We chose maroon, gold and white.
“Because of John Singleton, we changed our colour pattern.”
Little wonder ‘Singo’, a beloved supporter of the Newtown Jets, was hailed as an entrepreneurial genius.
TITANIC LOVE STORY CONTINUES
One of the NRL’s great love stories will continue on the Gold Coast after the Titans re-signed promising forward Brock Gray.
Gray will remain at the Titans until at least the end of 2027 as he continues his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury.
Gray, 29, was having a breakout season after making his NRL debut earlier this year before suffering an ACL injury.
Despite the setback, the Titans have shown faith in Gray and handed him an upgraded two-year extension.
That means he will remain on the Gold Coast with Titans NRLW partner Tash Penitani.
Penitani is the sister of Jillaroos and Sharks star Tiana Penitani-Gray, who is married to Gray’s brother Aaron Gray, the ex-Sharks and Rabbitohs winger.
That means the two Gray brothers are in relationships with the two Penitani sisters.
“I’m really grateful for the belief the club has shown in me after my ACL injury and I’m excited to be remaining on the Gold Coast until at least the end of 2027,” Brock said.
“I’m as hungry as ever to get back out on the field after being sidelined rehabbing my knee and I can’t wait to work hard and repay the faith the Titans have put in me.
“I also really appreciate the chance to continue sharing my rugby league journey with my partner Tash, who has just finished her first season as a NRLW Titan.”
SPOTTED
Kiwis sensation Keano Kini talking tactics with new Titans coach Josh Hannay at training on Tuesday, well before he is due back following his Pacific Championships heroics.
STORM CHASERS EYE BAI
The Gold Coast are facing a major fight to retain Cooper Bai with big guns Melbourne and the Roosters eyeing off the Titans young gun.
Sport Confidential understands at least four clubs have expressed interest in the Queensland under-19s sensation, with the Storm and Roosters leading the way for his signature.
But Titans coach Josh Hannay has no intention of losing Bai, who made his NRL debut in the final round of the 2025 regular season and is rated one of the best young forwards in the code.
“Cooper is critically important to our future,” Hannay said of the son of PNG legend Marcus Bai.
“Anyone in our game, particularly in southeast Queensland, was well aware of his reputation as a kid coming up.
“Then we saw what he was able to do in his debut in the last game of the season.
“He showed despite his youth, the world is at his feet.
“He is one of the most mature 19-year-olds you will ever find.
“He is driven away from football, he is studying criminology, so there is a very smart, measured and mature man behind the footballer and that gives us great confidence.
“He has all the attributes of being a player that can have a long, sustained successful career in this game at the Titans.
“He is representative of the kids we want to keep at this club.”
GO HOME!
Eager NRL players reporting early for pre-season training have been urged to go home.
We have received reports from numerous clubs that they have been instructed to inform players they should not commence training until they have officially ended their off-season holidays.
The instructions have been coming from a representative of the players.
It sounds bizarre given numerous players are keen to get back into the swing of things, particularly those joining new clubs and looking to make a good first impression.
SHARK BAIT FOR PNG
Cronulla centre Jesse Ramien is one of the first established NRL stars to confirm his interest in playing for Papua New Guinea.
Ramien is set to leave the Sharks at the end of next season due to salary-cap pressures and the 28-year-old would have no issue moving to Papua New Guinea to be a foundation Chiefs recruit.
“Jesse would definitely be keen on going to Papua New Guinea,” said his manager Trevor Conroy.
“He has told me directly he would have no concerns at all about living in Port Moresby.
“He has two young kids under the age of two, so his wife would be more than happy to relocate the family.
“The Sharks were happy for us to go on the open market and see what was out there.
“At this stage, it doesn’t look like Cronulla can afford him on the same deal.
“Jesse feels he is hitting his peak performance over the next two or three years so he wants to capitalise on it.
“PNG is a definite option for him and of course the tax-free dollars is an attraction for any player.”
REYNO’S OZTAG TEST
Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds has dismissed concerns about his calf after he and star teammate Ezra Mam recently turned out in a tag footy competition.
South Sydney have had some nightmare with injuries to major players at the Koori Knockout – Isaiah Tass last month tore his ACL – but Reynolds and Mam came through unscathed in a sigh of relief for Broncos coach Michael Maguire.
Reynolds injured his calf midway through this year’s NRL grand final but has recovered well enough to play OzTag with his daughters.
“It’s feeling good,” the champion halfback said of his calf.
“I played in a celebrity game recently (3P Tag), but I have been playing weeknights with the kids in a local comp.
“It’s been rewarding, being able to play with my daughters and share some memories and moments that stick with us for a long time.
“It’s good to get out and compete with them, so I’m looking forward to getting back into training and working hard alongside my teammates.”
SINGAPORE AIRLINES
New Perth recruitment boss Dane Campbell is a man of many talents.
Campbell is currently in the Philippines – not to sign possible Bears recruits, but as the foundation coach of the Singapore rugby league team.
The inaugural Asian Championships is underway with Singapore part of a four-team competition that includes Japan, Philippines and Hong Kong.
Titans foundation chairman Paul Broughton once declared rugby league would be played in China and Campbell is flying the flag for the code in the Asian market.
FAREWELL, FOR NOW…
What a year it has been!
The Broncos finally snapped a 19-year NRL premiership drought and Queensland regained the State of Origin shield with a series victory for the ages.
It’s certainly been a year to remember in the Sunshine State and we have had plenty to report on.
With that, Sport Confidential is heading off for what we believe is a well-deserved break.
We’ll return early next year, ready for another bumper season where the Broncos attempt to defend their title, the Titans launch a new era under Josh Hannay, the Dolphins look to play finals for the first time and the Cowboys try to get back to the top.
Thanks for your readership and enjoy the festive period.
—Peter and Travis.
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