Candice Warner and family join the Broncos fan day celebrations at a packed out Suncorp Stadium
There was a touch of star power of a different kind at Broncos fan day, as Candice Warner and her family joined the packed out crowd to catch a glimpse of Reece Walsh. SEE THE FAN DAY PICTURES.
Never Back Down.
That is the battle cry driving Brisbane’s quest to smash a 19-year premiership drought - and they have an army of Broncos fans willing them to title glory.
The Broncos celebrated their biggest fan day in two decades on Wednesday when more than 6000 supporters flocked to Suncorp Stadium to honour their heroes ahead of Sunday’s NRL grand final against the Storm.
Brisbane had high-octane fan days at Red Hill during their last two trips to the big dance in 2015 and 2023, but this was bigger, grander and louder.
Not since Wayne Bennett’s Broncos returned to the city with the club’s most recent premiership in 2006 has the glamour club witnessed the maroon-and-gold groundswell of support that could sweep them to a seventh title at Accor Stadium.
Suncorp literally shook last Sunday when Brisbane knocked out the Panthers in a 16-14 epic before 52,491 fans and the ground played host to another raucous turnout on Wednesday.
There was even a touch of star power, with Candice Warner, the wife of Test cricket legend David, making a guest appearance with their three kids.
Candice, who is a South Sydney supporter, is a friend of former Rabbitohs coach and now Broncos mentor Michael Maguire.
The stands thudded to the sounds of “Broncos, Broncos, Broncos” as the Bronx Nation went berserk when Brisbane’s grand-final squad emerged from the Suncorp race and jogged onto the hallowed turf.
The players were adorned in black T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan ‘Never Back Down’ - a nod to the club’s stunning comeback wins over the Raiders and Panthers during this intoxicating finals surge.
Jakiel Kaiafa spent Tuesday night making a special “Bring It Home Broncos” sign and was among the dedicated fans who lined up from 6.30am - 2.5 hours before gates opened - to get his spot in the front row.
“They are my favourite team and I love them because I was born here,” he said.
Harvey Myers was one of the few in the crowd to score two tickets to the grand final.
He’ll be travelling down with his dad hoping for a better result than his painful last trip in 2023.
“That was a heartbreak for me. I ended up spraining my foot that game because I kicked the fence (after they lost) but I’m confident that this year we’ll win,” he said.
Orr Too was also one of the lucky grand final ticket holders.
“We don’t want to miss the opportunity to see the boys win,” he said.
“I’m very confident in what the coach has brought to the team so I’m very optimistic.”
He will be making the 14-hour train trip to Sydney on Saturday morning.
“I’ll probably take my laptop and watch Netflix,” he said.
Rachel Smith said she and her colleague had spent $1300 to get to the game and have three days of fun not including flights.
“We’re driving down which is going to be incredibly awful ... looking forward to the drive back on Monday with a possible hangover,” she said.
Little Bella Caldeira-Santos was among the youngest fans in the crowd.
Mum and proud Broncos member Katie said without grand final tickets they’ll be having a party at home.
“We’re hoping the boys win,” she said.
“The kids love them.”
At the end of the training session, players surprised screaming fans by taking selfies, signing jerseys, hats, footballs and phone cases.
Ezra Mam even kissed a baby.
Coach Michael Maguire received high fives from fans, with the premiership-winning mentor admitting he has been blown away by the support and power of the Broncos.
The NRL’s richest club boasts 60,553 members - the biggest in the league - and the $81 million Broncos empire is regarded as the most powerful brand in Australian sport alongside AFL powerhouse Collingwood.
“I can’t believe the support we’ve had,” Maguire told this masthead.
“We’re a unit. I’m just one small part of building success for a great club.
“The support we have had the last month, in particular, has been unbelievable.
“I’ve coached at a big club like South Sydney but the noise in the stadium on Sunday was like nothing I’ve heard before.
“I knew the Broncos were a big club but now coaching them, it’s even bigger than I realised.
“The city has really got behind us and we’d love to do something special for the fans on Sunday.
“The job isn’t done yet. We’re not getting carried away.
“One to go.”
The loudest cheer of course was reserved for superstar fullback Reece Walsh, who revelled in the celebrations, briefly pulling down his shorts before Brisbane’s training run as fans went wild.
Superstar prop Payne Haas sported a white bandage over a cut on his right eye but is fully fit and ready to spearhead Brisbane’s pack in Sunday’s decider.
Maguire broke South Sydney’s 43-year hoodoo in 2014 and he is primed to deliver Brisbane’s first title since 2006 in his first season in charge.
“The support of the fans has been massive,” lock Pat Carrigan said. “It’s why I love the Broncos and why there is such a special feeling at this club when we’re having success.”
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