Brisbane Broncos recruit James Roberts says he needs time to recover form and fitness

BRISBANE recruit James Roberts admits he needs to get fitter and has a favour to ask fans while he finds his feet at the Broncos.

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BRONCOS recruit James Roberts admits he needs to get fitter and is still coming to terms with the expectation to perform at Queensland’s flagship NRL club.

On Saturday night Roberts will face the Penrith club that sacked him two years ago, and he admits he is a “long way away” from the form that saw him crowned Dally M Centre of the Year last season.

Roberts was bought by Wayne Bennett to bring a premiership-winning quality to Brisbane, but the tryscoring sensation has yet to break his duck after 160 minutes as a Bronco.

More worryingly, Roberts is battling a minor calf concern and has struggled to replicate the workrate of his predecessor Justin Hodges, who was renowned for his dummy-half runs.

Bennett has pledged to stay patient with Roberts, but the 23-year-old concedes he is lacking match fitness and will take up extra training sessions to rediscover his attacking mojo.

“I’ll be a lot better when I get fitter,” said Roberts, who is free to face the Panthers after taking an early guilty plea for making contact with the referee against the Warriors.

“I’m a long way away from where I want to be. I’m still trying to build combinations with the guys around me.

“It’s only the start of the year so everyone is a bit rusty and that’s the case for me. As I get into the year, I feel I’ll get a bit better but I need to do more extras after training because my body got a shock in the heat (against the Warriors last Friday night).’’

Roberts had his contract torn up by the Panthers for an off-field indiscretion two years ago. The flyer had scored six tries in as many games for Penrith but returns to Pepper Stadium this Saturday night with a point to prove to Broncos fans.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 03: James Roberts of the Broncos is tackled during the round one NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Brisbane Broncos at Pirtek Stadium on March 3, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Roberts’ searing speed was hailed as the quality that could propel the Broncos a title this season but “The Jet’’ said he was adapting to the burden of being Brisbane’s marquee signing.

“I did think it was going to be pretty hard to come back after such a good year at the Titans,” he said.

“Wayne has told me to worry about my job and not expect too much or it could affect me. I am starting to work out who to run after and combine with, but I still need to build some trust with the guys.

“At the moment, I’m trying to work on my defence. I’m slowly getting there. I need to get my carries up and I hope the fans stick by me.’’

Broncos forward Alex Glenn said Roberts was primed to break the shackles against the Panthers.

“James having a lot more ball in his hands will help our team,’’ Glenn said. “The more ball we can get him, it will benefit our squad.’’