GCBRONCO
International Captain
- Mar 4, 2008
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[h=1]Broncos teammates predicting breakout year for Frank Molo[/h]http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...r-for-frank-molo/story-fniabm4i-1227620049534
BRONCOS teammates believe Frank Molo is set for a breakthrough season in the NRL after supporting the hulking prop through the most harrowing period of his life.
Molo began a new chapter at the Broncos when he launched his pre-season last Tuesday, five months after coming to terms with the tragic death of Sunshine Coast player James Ackerman.
One of the code’s most genial props, Molo was handed an eight-match suspension by the QRL judiciary for his tackle on Ackerman. Throughout the ordeal, the Broncos stood by Molo, who underwent counselling as he weighed up his future in rugby league.
But Molo’s explosive bursts on the opening days of Brisbane’s pre-season at the University of Queensland at St Lucia is evidence the prop is eyeing a regular NRL berth in 2016.
During 40-metre sprint testing, Molo was among the standouts. Despite his massive 112kg frame, Molo stopped the clock at 5.07 seconds, beating a number of Broncos colleagues some 20kg lighter.
Once dubbed the next Petero Civoniceva, Molo played just five NRL games last season but is primed to fill the bench void left by Mitchell Dodds’ departure to Warrington.
Broncos utility Aaron Whitchurch said Molo had benefited from the club’s support and is ready to deliver on his potential next season as Brisbane look to atone for their grand-final defeat.
“He’s definitely in a good place,” Whitchurch said.
“Franky was pretty down for a while, but being around the boys has been good for him, he’s had good support at the club and that’s been the best thing for him.
“It’s good to see him getting back to training and being with the boys again. When he starts playing again, he will be even happier.
“He can have a big year in the NRL this year for sure. Frank just needs to work on his motor a bit. It’s hard because he’s a naturally big guy but with more experience he will get used to playing longer minutes in the NRL.”
Molo is one of the club’s most popular players and that was reinforced as his powerful quads stormed down the University of Queensland running track.
After clocking his impressive 40m time, Broncos teammates clapped and cheered a bookend built more for power than speed.
Fringe Broncos playmaker Darren Nicholls played alongside Molo at feeder-club Norths Devils last season and says the 21-year-old has a huge future in the code.
“He’s a really impressive athlete,” Nicholls said.
“All the boys got around Frank and the Broncos as a club really helped him through a tough time.
“It was really tragic what happened, it was a sad thing, but Franky’s doing all right now so hopefully he can bounce back this season and have a big year.”
