Broncos most influential figures in club history: 24-19

AS PART of the Brisbane Broncos 30th anniversary, our writers weigh in on the 30 most influential figures in the club’s history. Paul Malone counts down from 24-19.

AS PART of The Courier-Mail’s celebration of 30 years of the Brisbane Broncos, our writers have weighed in on the 30 most influential figures in the club’s history. Paul Malone counts down the second collection of names toward Friday’s top six.

MOST INFLUENTIAL BRONCOS: 30-25

24. BRUNO CULLEN

A FAMILIAR, smiling figure in Wayne Bennett’s backroom staff in the early years, Cullen was CEO from 2003-10. In that time the club made Suncorp Stadium work for them as a home ground and won their most recent title, in 2006.

Former Broncos CEO Bruno Cullen. Picture: Jeff Camden

Cullen was also in place for some of their most contentious chapters, including Bennett’s departure after the 2008 season and the talks in 2007 when Petero Civoniceva had a contract offer withdrawn, leaving him to join Penrith.

“Wayne thought he could control Bruno … and get his way like he always used to,” The Courier-Mail’s Robert Craddock reported an unnamed Broncos insider as saying in 2008. “But Bruno surprised him. It was a case of two stubborn old hard heads clashing and neither prepared to give way.”

23. SHANE WEBKE

WEBCKE famously played in the 2000 grand final with a cast protecting his recently broken forearm, in the third of his four premiership seasons, to emphasise the example he set for younger teammates about the need for toughness and commitment.

His determination over his 254-game career to drive through the defensive line mirrored that of Civoniceva.

Legendary Broncos prop Shane Webcke.

Later in his career, the product of Leyburn was one of the older hard-nuts who demanded high standards of the younger players.

“He was a great forward leader and set the standards for what the expectations were on the training paddock,’’ Kevin Walters said.

“I couldn’t believe the transition of him from when he first came to the Broncos.

“Everything he did was done at 100 per cent. He didn’t have a second gear.’’

22. STEVE RENOUF

THE club record of 142 tries from just 183 matches played by the “Pearl’’ before he left for Wigan in 2000 when Brisbane did not meet his pay requirements will stand for many years.

The genial Renouf, one of the first players signed in 1987 from outside Origin ranks, was also an immediate link for the club to Queensland’s Aboriginal community.

Diagnosed with diabetes in 1993, Renouf also became an inspiration to diabetic youngsters. “It didn’t hold the Pearl back and I took it on board,’’ said Manly fullback Brett Stewart, who was diagnosed at 13.

Steve Renouf scored 142 tries for the Broncos. Picture: Mark Evans

On the field, Kevin Walters’ “out’’ ball to Renouf became a signature play of the Broncos in the 1990s and the Murgon product ran in numerous thrilling long-range tries.

“I’ve never seen a player with as much balance in full flight — and so much strength too,’’ Chris Johns said.

“He was never the hardest trainer, but his love of football and his skill set was an ingredient of our successful football club.

“I reckon his (95m) try in the 1992 grand final, Pearl didn’t want that ball from Kev. But he got it and scored one of the great grand final tries.’’

21. KELVIN GILES

THE Englishman was head coach of the Australian Institute of Sport and a prominent track and field coach before being hired in late 1989 by Bennett for a redefined conditioner role called performance co-ordinator.

Former fitness coach Kelvin Giles with Allan Langer. Picture: Derek Moore

Giles prided himself on being a taskmaster and one of his favourite adages of the time was: “Challenge your assumptions’’.

Giles oversaw the purchase of a $130,000 hyperbaric chamber for the Broncos gym, only to find Allan Langer was prone to claustrophobia and refused to use it. At the 1995 best-and-fairest dinner Giles upset the team with a speech in which he said some players were overpaid and also criticised their commitment. He rejected a scaled-back consultancy role and later joined the Crushers.

20. CHRIS JOHNS

WAS 23 when he played his first game for the Broncos, but brought with him from St George 54 games of experience on how life in the NSWRL worked, including his game off the bench in the 1985 grand final.

The dual premiership winner turned out 171 times for the Broncos and scored the opening try in the 1993 grand final.

Chris Johns’ influence was crucial in keeping the Broncos together during the Super League split.

Johns was one of the biggest boosters for Super League in 1995 when the ARL tempted some Broncos with richer offers if they cut ties with the rebel organisers.

“He did everything he could to keep the team together when the offers came (from ARL backers),’’ Walters said. “He had … connections at Super League a little higher up than most players who signed.’’

19. SHANE EDWARDS

EDWARDS went from marketing manager to CEO in the dizzying 24 hours after the involvement of John Ribot and other Broncos colleagues was confirmed in April 1995.

He was in the post until 2002, a span including the demanding Super League years and three premierships, and he helped position the club for a favourable return to a renovated Suncorp Stadium in 2003.

Edwards was one of a new breed of club CEOs to succeed without having first had a playing background.

“Shane and John Ribot were both never people where the ego exceeds the intellect,’’ foundation chairman Barry Maranta said. ‘‘Their egos were very much under control.

“We were blessed in having outstanding people.’’