Giddy up: Meet the biggest Broncos fans of the Darling Downs
We searched far and wide across the Darling Downs to find the biggest Broncos fans of the Darling Downs and discovered 16 loyal supporters who take the cake. See the list here.
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While proud Broncos supporters will be out in force in Sydney and Brisbane this weekend, celebrations will continue up the range as Toowoomba fans cheer the team on in the 2023 NRL grand final.
After receiving the wooden spoon in 2020 for the first time in history, the Broncos managed to claw their way back from the bottom and finished the 2023 season in second place after a stellar performance.
The clash on Sunday is set to be a nailbiter as the Broncos take on minor premiers the Penrith Panthers who won the competition in 2021 and 2022.
While the Broncos head into the final as perceived underdogs, loyal supporters in the Garden City have high hopes.
Should the Broncos win on Sunday, it will be their seventh premiership and the first win they have claimed since the 2006 grand final against the Melbourne Storm.
It will also mark the first time Brisbane has faced off against a team in the grand final since they lost to the North Queensland Cowboys in 2015 in a thrilling one-point defeat.
We searched far and wide across the Darling Downs to find the biggest Broncos fans of the Darling Downs and discovered 16 loyal fans who take the cake.
1. David White, 37
From flags and jerseys, to collector cans and commemorative artwork, David White’s Broncos merchandise collection may be the biggest in Toowoomba.
Supporting the NRL team since they commenced in 1988, Mr White estimates he has more than 1500 pieces.
His favourite item to date is a painting of former Broncos captain-turned-commentator Darren Lockyer, which was entered into the Archibald Prize in the early 2000s.
Growing up, the Broncos fan most admired Alan Langer and upon his retirement, turned his focus to Darren Lockyer, Corey Parker, Sam Thaiday.
His current favourite players to watch on the pitch are Patrick Carrigan and Corey Oates.
While the 2023 season was filled with key moments for the team, Mr White said his highlight was watching the Broncos defeat the Warriors with an impressive 42-12 win in the Preliminary Final.
“My whole family are Broncos fans … mum and I often go to home games at Suncorp and we went to watch them (play the Warriors) last Saturday,” he said.
“I’ll be watching the grand final at home surrounded by my Broncos memorabilia.”
The passionate fan predicts a close score for the final clash against the Panthers, with a 24-22 result to the Broncos.
2. Archer Breeze, 11
Born into a family of passionate Broncos supporters is Archer Breeze who is set to watch the game from Sydney’s Accor Stadium with his dad Lenny on Sunday.
For as long as he can remember, the 11-year-old has never missed a game whether he’s watching it at Suncorp stadium or on the television.
“I was born with the Broncos blood running through me and can’t remember a time I wasn’t checking scores on the ladder,” Archer said.
“You won’t find me out without one of my Broncos shirts or jerseys on.”
In fact, the young Toowoomba fan said the only pyjamas he owns are branded with the Broncos logo.
In awe of fullback star Reece Walsh, Archer said he has enjoyed the team’s success this season as “it shuts up my friends about the last couple of years when we have not been that good”.
3. Lena Taylor, 52
For more than three decades, Dalby woman Lena Taylor has proudly donned the Broncos colours, not only while wearing her jerseys but every day she steps foot into her living room.
The 52-year-old’s passion for the team began in 1987 when Allan Langer first played State of Origin alongside Wally Lewis while the pair both played for the Brisbane team.
“I have painted my lounge room in the Broncos colours and hung all my memorabilia up and for years people would tell me I’m crazy as I never had any family photos of my kids up, as my Broncos would come first,” she said.
The Mitre 10 store manager has shown her commitment to the team so much so that she got inked with the Broncos logo signed by none other than former Broncos front rower Shane Webke and drives around with the number plates ‘ALF93’.
Mrs Taylor said she began a scrapbook of photos she’d taken with players which first began with Allan Langer in 1988 which the footy legend would later sign when he returned to Dalby.
Despite being on a camping trip and unable to make the finals game in Sydney the massive fan said she would be watching and cheering from the T.V., “If my nerves hold out”.
4. Jett Horwood, 9
No line is too far to cross when it comes to Jett Horwood’s team of choice with the nine-year-old even offering to “trade” his brother in exchange for grand final tickets.
The young fan began supporting the Brisbane team three years ago and has since transformed his entire bedroom into a Broncos shrine.
From his bedspread to an Adam Reynolds ‘bobble head’ figurine to a flashing shield, it would be hard to mistake Jett’s loyalty.
“I’ve had my Birthday party as a VIP at the Broncos game, met the cheerleaders and I did a Back to Broncos training clinic,” he said.
“I am the biggest Broncos supporter – I would even trade my brother to get tickets to the finals.”
Inspired by Reece Walsh, Jett said he wanted to be just like the fullback when he grew up and had his dream come true when the sports star signed the Toowoomba fan’s jersey.
Excited to watch the grand final at home while wearing his jersey and “screaming at the TV”, Jett predicts a walloping from the Broncos with a 30-12 win.
5. Wade Jackson, 61
Former Manly Sea Eagles supporter Wade Jackson left the dark side and joined the ‘Bronx Nation’ when the Broncos became the first Queensland-based team to join the competition in 1988.
“I went for Manly because they had a lot of Queenslanders on the team at the time but I dumped them straight away when the Broncos got involved,” he said.
“The first game the Broncos played was against Manly and we absolutely flogged them, which I was quite happy about.”
Anyone who had visited the home of Mr Jackson would recognise his loyalty to the Broncos with a sea of maroon, yellow and white filling almost every corner of his man cave.
From a Broncos-branded fire pit and bar tables, to life-size player cutouts and an Alfie Langer doll from the 90s, the Toowoomba fan’s space is filled with unique collector items.
With more than 100 pieces in total and at least seven jerseys, Mr Wade’s pet jack russell Koby even owns three supporter dog shirts.
The supporter plans to watch the final in his backyard, alongside his family and predicts a 12-point winning margin for the Broncos.
6. Seth Beil, 8
Hoping for a Broncos premiership as a belated birthday gift is Seth Beil who celebrated his eighth birthday on Friday.
Seth was introduced to the game of rugby league this year when he began playing for the Pittsworth Danes and watching the Brisbane Broncos games.
Since Seth’s mum Sophie Williams gifted him a Broncos jersey as an early birthday present, he has been quickly building a large collection of Broncos merchandise including a hat, ball and flag.
“I’m the biggest Broncos fan because I make sure I watch every game,” Seth said.
“My mum took me to watch Broncos for the first time (last month) when they played the Storm – they lost but it was still a good game.”
The Reece Walsh fan plans to cheer on his team from home, while wearing his Broncos pyjamas and drawing the players, after his birthday party on Sunday.
7. Micheal Wise, 53
In the past 12 years, loyal Broncos supporter Micheal Wise has only missed five home games, despite travelling to and from Dalby and Toowoomba to see the matches.
The aquatic centre manager has been a fan of the team since the team first entered the competition in 1988 and has been a Diamond member since 2012.
“I started following them as they were the first Queensland and Brisbane team in the comp,” Mr Wise said.
“Every year I purchase a fully signed team jersey and have also bought an old jersey with Darren Lockyer’s signature on it.”
While the Toowoomba man has many special memories of games over the years, it was the 2006 grand final when the Broncos claimed victory against the Melbourne Storm, that he remembers particularly fondly.
“We went in as major underdogs to beat Melbourne as they beat us in both games that year, so to come out and beat them 15-8 in the grand final was fantastic,” Mr Wise said.
“My collection of jerseys is getting bigger and bigger, but I would say the one that is my favourite for all the wrong reasons is the 2020 one – our wooden spoon year – as I know in years to come it will be worth just as much as the 2023 one when we win.”
As a Broncos member, Mr Wise has also met several players in the locker rooms after games but his favourites include Allan Langer, Steve Renuof, Darren Lockyer, Shane Webcke, Corey Parker, Patty Carrigan and Corey Oates.
He will be watching the game at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Sunday and plans to continue celebrations at the Broncos Leagues Club on Monday.
8. Sandy Wood, 45
Attending Broncos games to cheer on her team is one of Sandy Wood’s favourite pastimes with the passionate fan watching nine live games this season alone.
In fact, Ms Wood is so committed to the team, she is renowned for watching the games at birthday parties and other events.
“I love the Broncos and try to attend as many games as possible,” she said.
“When I was 10 and (the Broncos first joined the competition in 1988), I remember Wally Lewis and Allan Langer signing with the team.”
Ms Wood, who owns a signed Broncos jersey, said Darren Lockyer was her favourite player of all time as he “played the game with integrity and heart” and “was the ultimate sportsman.
The Toowoomba fan is set to watch the game from Accor Stadium on Sunday and hopes the result will be similar to the 2006 grand final.
“(In 2006) the Broncos were under pressure to produce some winning form and found themselves in a slump,” she said.
“But they fought back and won the grand final against the Storm.”
9. Gemma Smith, 14
Few people can say they have the old football boots which belonged to Kotoni Staggs, Jordan Riki and Selwyn Cobbo, sitting in their bedroom but Gemma Smith is one of a kind.
The Toowoomba high school student will be experiencing the live action up close this weekend when she cheers the team on in Sydney.
It is far from the teen’s first live match though, after she started going to games as a young child, attends the magic round every year and even travels to Brisbane to watch training sessions.
“My Broncos fandom would have started when I went to any first Broncos game when I was in prep,” Gemma said.
“The crowd and atmosphere made me fall in love and over the years I have grown to love the game and boys more and more.”
The Toowoomba fan said her favourite moment occurred this season when she saw the Broncos beat the Storm for the first time at Suncorp Stadium in the semi finals.
Purchasing the grand final tickets weeks in advance, Gemma said she always believed the Broncos would qualify and remained confident in the efforts of the talented players.
“Herbie Farnworth is my favourite because he is such a good player and such a nice person,” Gemma said.
“He always has made time for me to talk to him and get photos … it is such a shame that he’s going to the Dolphins next year and I will miss him.”
10. Lewina Stewart, 51
Almost a decade ago, Lewina Stewart attended her very first Broncos game at Suncorp Stadium – an experience which ignited her passion for the team.
Now the Framed Espresso Bar owner is on her way to Sydney to watch the action of the grand final live at the Accor Stadium.
“I’ve always loved sport and am competitive so I got hooked straight away,” she said.
“Broncos are my favourite team because I love the team’s character and sportsmanship.”
The Toowoomba cafe owner has attended nine games this year to show her support for the team she loves and cheer on her favourite players.
“I admire all the players because they work as a team – it’s not a one man show and they display this so well,” Ms Stewart said.
“My favourite moment in History is a weird one because Broncos didn’t win, but (the Broncos and Cowboys grand final in 2015) was an amazing game to watch … many highs and then a nail biting finish.”
On Sunday, Ms Stewart will be wearing her jersey which has signatures from three quarters of the team on it – a cherished item she plans to frame and hang on her wall after the remaining players have signed it.
A fan of nail biting finals, the Toowoomba fan said she thinks the game will result in a golden point win.
11. Terrence Snow, 26
Hoping to “cheer the house down” on Sunday night when he watches the grand final at home with his loved ones is Terrence Snow, who has been supporting the Broncos since he was six.
Now two decades later, his love for the team has only grown with the supporter staying up to date with all news surrounding the Broncos and NRL.
“My dad is a big fan so the NRL season is a big time of year in my family home,” Mr Snow said.
“We drove from Toowoomba to Sydney to watch the 2015 grand final, leaving on the Saturday and we were back in Toowoomba on Monday.”
The Toowoomba man said he predicts the result will mirror the round 1 score of the season at 13-12 with a Broncos triumph.
While Darren Lockyer was his favourite player growing up, Mr Snow said Patrick Carrigan was his current as he believed Carrigan was a great role model for younger players.
He said his highlight of the season was seeing Carrigan score his first try and his favourite piece of memorabilia was a giant Payne Haas head he acquired at a game at The Gabba this year.
12. Priya Wilson, 11
A personalised Broncos jersey gifted to Priya Wilson by her nanna at the age of five, is how her fandom journey with the Brisbane sports team started.
The jersey which brands her name remains to be Priya’s most cherished item after her nanna sadly passed away in 2021.
Now aged 11, Priya’s favourite player is Reece Walsh who in her opinion is one of the best and fastest players on the team.
“(My favourite moment this season) was when Reece Walsh scored a try and then did a backflip,” she said.
“I watch every single game they play, I know the names of all the current and some past players and I constantly nag my mum to take me to the games.”
The young, dedicated fan plans to watch the game at home with her family and predicts a final score of 32-8 to Brisbane.
“I’ll be watching all dressed up in my Broncos gear of course,” she said.
“Broncos will win hands down – up the Broncos.”
13. Trudy Groves, 40
Following in the footsteps of both her parents who have always supported the Brisbane Broncos is Trudy Groves who enjoys collecting team merchandise.
Among her favourite items are her autographed training cards, framed photographs of players and Broncos-themed number plates which she received for her birthday this year.
“I believe a true fan supports their team no matter what and regardless of if they are winning or not,” Ms Groves said.
“No matter if I’m at home on the couch or cheering them on at Suncorp, I love watching my team play, but there is nothing like being at a home game in the crowd when your team has a win.”
Despite having too many favourite players to choose from, Ms Groves narrowed her list down to Alfie Langer, Andrew McCullough and Pat Carrigan.
She plans to watch the final at home with friends, while enjoying homemade pizzas.
Sending a final message to players, Ms Groves said no matter what the result is on Sunday, the team had made their fans “proud” and had come a long way since receiving the wooden spoon.
14. Steph Wise, 16, Bella Tape, 15, and Zarah Tape, 12
Committed to the cause, loyal fans Steph Wise and her stepchildren Bella and Zarah Tape, once woke up at 5am so they could travel to Brisbane and watch the players train at Red Hill.
The trio have also attended multiple home games at Suncorp Stadium this year and own plenty of merchandise including a giant Reece Walsh head which has been signed by most Broncos players.
Ms Wise said it was her late grandma who first introduced her to the sports team – a tradition which has since been passed down to her family’s younger generations.
“My grandma was always a massive Broncos supporter, so I’ve learnt to love the best from the best,” she said.
“Even though she’s passed away, her love of the Broncos continues through myself and my stepkids.
“I’ve introduced the sport to my step daughters and the Broncos have fast become a fan favourite in our house … mainly because of Reece Walsh.”
While Walsh is very popular in Ms Wise’s household, her favourite player was captain Adam Reynolds for his humble and down to earth attitude.
“He loves banter and forever makes time for his fans,” she said.
Meanwhile the trio’s favourite moment of the season as watching Patty Carrigan score his first try.
The family hope they will be celebrating a win this weekend when they watch the game on a giant inflatable screen at home, with a barbecue and decorations.
15. Aaron King, 45
Ever since the Broncos first joined the NRL’s competition in 1988, Aaron King who was just 10-years-old at the time, has been a loyal fan.
A fierce admirer of the great Wally Lewis, Mr King who is now aged 45, said half his wardrobe consisted of Broncos jerseys and shirts.
Despite supporting the team for years, Mr King said this season had been his favourite due to the team’s determination to bounce back.
“I’m not sure if I’m the biggest fan but I’m definitely a loyal one,” he said.
“We have done it tough for a long time and I think those hard times have paid off – hence why I bought grand final tickets a month ago.”
Set to cheer his team on at the game in Sydney, Mr King predicts a final score of 20-16 to Brisbane.
16. Nic Moncrieff
For the past three years Nic Moncrieff has been a member of the Brisbane Broncos and never missed a home game.
The 23-year-old fan will be driving from Toowoomba to Sydney to hopefully see his team claim another premiership this year, alongside his friends and dad who first introduced him to the Brisbane side.
“Since I was two years old I was sitting on my father’s lap watching the mighty Brisbane Broncos,” he said.
“It’s been in our family since 1987, so I’ve just followed and fell in love with it.
“From being wooden spooners three years ago to making the grand final this weekend is very special.”
Mr Moncrieff said while he struggled to pick a favourite player on the current side, he admired the leadership qualities and generosity of Patrick Carrigan and Adam Reynolds.
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