NRL 2021: Brodie Croft opens up on his failure to break Broncos’ 15-year premiership drought

Departing Broncos half Brodie Croft doesn’t quite know where it all went wrong at Brisbane, but knows he wants to run out on Suncorp Stadium again.

DARWIN, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 23: Brodie Croft of the Broncos reacts after losing the round seven NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Brisbane Broncos at TIO Stadium on April 23, 2021, in Darwin, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Shunned halfback Brodie Croft has opened up about his free fall at the Broncos, insisting he hasn’t given up hope of returning to the NRL as he prepares for a shot at playmaking redemption in the English Super League.

In his first interview since signing with Salford on Monday night, Croft spoke of his disappointment at failing to live up to Brisbane’s great hope — that he would be the halfback to deliver the Broncos’ first premiership in 15 years.

In many ways, Croft is the poster boy of the Broncos’ dramatic capitulation over the past two years.

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He arrived as the club’s marquee recruit under Anthony Seibold last year, a former Melbourne grand-final halfback who would bring to the Broncos an understanding of the systems that made the Storm a title-winning juggernaut.

But Croft has never emphatically taken ownership of the Broncos No.7 jumper made famous by Allan Langer, winning just six of 26 games and dropped several times as Seibold, and his coaching successor Walters, searched for the right scrumbase formula.

Brodie Croft will leave the Broncos next month knowing he gave his all for the club.

When Souths halfback Reynolds inked a three-year deal with the Broncos in May, it effectively represented the coup de grace for Croft, who was given permission to negotiate with rival clubs with 12 months to run on his Brisbane deal.

The salt-to-the-wound came on Tuesday, when Croft was axed for Friday night’s clash against the Roosters just hours after he agreed terms on a two-year deal with Super League club Salford.

Barring an injury crisis over the next month, Croft has played his last game for Brisbane, but the 24-year-old is hopeful of wearing Broncos colours again before his move from Red Hill to the Red Devils.

“It does hurt me that I wasn’t able to make it work,” he said.

“I’m disappointed because I felt I could be the answer for the club at halfback.

“When I first came here, I was really excited about the prospect. I felt I could bring something to the club and I wouldn’t have moved from Melbourne if I didn’t think I could succeed.

“I can’t really pinpoint where it went downhill for me. I have still been training as hard as I can, I couldn’t have trained any harder and at no stage did I give up. I know I gave the Broncos 100 per cent every time and unfortunately I didn’t get the results on the field.

“But for whatever reason it hasn’t worked out for me.

Brisbane’s signing of Adam Reynolds signalled the end for Croft’s long-term Broncos future.

“It hit me a few weeks ago when my manager first spoke to me about potentially moving for next year. I had another 12 months on my contract at Brisbane and I was happy here, but I knew deep down it wasn’t going to end well.

“Salford were really thorough with their intentions. It’s a move that’s in the best interest for myself and my family. It’s only 20 minutes from Manchester and my partner (Safina) is really excited about living there as she is from the UK.

“I learnt a lot about myself in the last two years and it was good to be closer to my family in Brisbane over the last eight months since my son has been born.

“That’s definitely been one positive.”

Such was the regard in which he was held by former coach Seibold, Croft was sensationally handed the co-captaincy with Pat Carrigan for round one last year, leading the Broncos out against the Cowboys after full-time skipper Alex Glenn was ruled out with injury.

Before he even donned the Broncos colours, Croft was swiftly added to Brisbane’s leadership group.

Brodie Croft has been dropped for this week’s clash against the Roosters.

Initially, the kid from Dalby was humming. Croft steered the Broncos to consecutive wins in his first two games last year and he scored his first try for Brisbane, a 40-metre solo special, in just his third appearance.

But within two months, the wheels began to fall off. After Brisbane crashed to their sixth consecutive defeat last year, Croft was so inconsolable he was one of several Broncos who shed tears at full-time to the shock of rival Warriors players.

Croft’s breakdown underscored the pressure-cooker environment at the Broncos. This season, he has displayed some nice touches, but has struggled to consistently step-up as Brisbane’s blue-chip game manager.

Croft accepts alarm bells rang when Brisbane pulled off a multimillion-dollar poaching raid on halfback rival Reynolds.

“At the end of the day, I knew Adam Reynolds was coming here and a fresh beginning was probably the best option for me,” Croft said.

“I was hurt by it but at the end of the day it’s a business in the NRL and I could understand why they wanted to sign Adam.

Croft says there is no animosity with Broncos coach Kevin Walters.

“They had to do what they had to do and essentially I have to do what I have to do.

“When they signed Adam, ‘Kevvie’ gave me a ring before the news came out.

“I respect him for telling me the truth, he was always been upfront with me in regards to where the club is going and where I stand.

“It was a tough pill to swallow when they did sign him, knowing he will be the halfback next year. But there’s no hard feelings, I wish Adam and the Broncos all the best next year.

“The last two years has been really tough, not only on myself but the club as well. If someone knew what the problem was, they would have fixed it straight away. Unfortunately we still don’t know what the problem is.

“I learnt a lot about myself in the last two years. The captaincy is something I will always treasure. I feel I thrive on leadership and I like to run the show and call the shots. It was a challenge and I will cherish the times I captained the Broncos.”

Despite his latest axing, Croft insists there is no bad blood with Walters. He is equally adamant of his playmaking capabilities and has not ruled out a return to the NRL if he can get Salford firing.

Croft is adamant he is capable of succeeding as a playmaker in the NRL and would love to return in the future.

“I don’t really know why I was dropped this week. It’s probably a question for Kevvie,” said Croft, who paid the price for making zero runs for zero metres in last week’s loss to the Knights.

“I spoke to Kevvie throughout the year about where I stood. We had some clear chats with regards to my future. He didn’t want to kick me out, he said he would honour my contract and that if I wanted to fight it out for the halfback spot, they were more than happy to accommodate that.

“I certainly believe I’m up to NRL standard. I would never doubt my ability or what I am capable of on a football field.

“Just because it hasn’t worked out consistently at the Broncos, I wouldn’t say it’s been all doom and gloom. I’ve had some good moments here but I don’t think it’s the end of my NRL career.

“I still believe I have more to offer in the NRL and maybe one day I can come back.

“I want to go over and enjoy my football in England and you never know, the chance might open up again for me in the NRL.

“I would love to play another game for the Brisbane Broncos. Every time I’ve run onto Suncorp Stadium it’s given me goosebumps ... I’ve never taken the Broncos jersey lightly.”