Crash Craddock: Brisbane Broncos rejects could lead Queensland to State of Origin glory

Most of the Queensland side vying for an Origin boilover were once Brisbane Broncos. Robert Craddock wonders why they’re excelling at other clubs and what it means for the Broncos future.

Try saving tackle by QLD's Dane Gagai on NSW's Daniel Tupou during Game 1 of the NSW v QLD State of Origin series at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide. Picture: Brett Costello

It really would be the ultimate proof our sporting world has turned upside down.

A couple of months after a highly-paid yet dysfunctional Broncos team ran last in the NRL competition, a Queensland squad with 12 Broncos rejects could win the State of Origin series.

Go figure. Talk about weird. Who says you cannot defy gravity?

Kayo is your ticket to the best sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Some impressive last-ditch defence helped the Maroons emerge triumphant in Adelaide.

ORIGIN LATEST

Bennett could trigger 15-year Maroons rule change

Revealed: Bennett wisdom which lifted Maroons skipper

Heartache driving Maroons rookie to greatness

But even if they don’t go all the way, Queensland’s win over NSW in the first game has provided the Broncos with a clue on how best to revive the club’s fortunes.

It starts with rekindling Brisbane’s rich tradition of fostering local talent who desperately want to play for the club and the state.

It was what the Broncos were initially built on and what made them great.

It started with players like Allan Langer and Wally Lewis and ran all the way through to Corey Parker who cost himself hundreds and thousands of dollars by rejecting southern offers because he only wanted to play for Brisbane.

These players brought passion and commitment to the club and it flowed through to Origin series then back to the club.

Dane Gagai slipped through the Broncos’ fingers.

It doesn’t mean the club is a no-go zone for Blues as Kotoni Staggs and Payne Haas were Brisbane’s best players this season, just like fellow Blues Chris Johns and Terry Matterson shone in the early years.

But the club needs to freshen up its local spirit by cutting down on journeymen signings who are just floating through the club.

As pointed out by News Corp last week, the list of Broncos rejects playing Origin is way too long for the club’s peace of mind.

Part of it is understandable. The Broncos cannot sign everyone. The salary cap will occasionally squeeze a formidable talent like Jai Arrow out the back door.

And it cannot be said that Wayne Bennett was the perfect judge because he let some of them go.

Daly Cherry-Evans could have been ripe for the picking for the Broncos.

But there were some unfortunate misses.

Daly Cherry-Evans first contract with Manly was worth just $50,000 a year. He could have been ripe for the picking for Brisbane.

Dane Gagai could have been a 10-year Bronco.

But he was axed from the club in 2012 for sloppy standards at training when he was occasionally late and not hitting weight targets.

Gagai eventually got the message and lifted his game. Many believe he should not have been lost in the first place.