Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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RETIRED Broncos skipper Justin Hodges has urged coach Wayne Bennett to show the ultimate faith in Darius Boyd by naming the reformed Origin star as Brisbane’s next captain.
Bennett made his first appearance of Brisbane’s pre-season on Tuesday as the master mentor begins the assessment process to install his new leader in the post-Hodges era.
Brisbane have a raft of options, with veteran forward Corey Parker, halfback Ben Hunt and hooker Andrew McCullough considered frontline contenders to lead the club in 2016.
But Hodges says Boyd has earned the right to be ordained as the 12th captain in Brisbane’s 29-year history, lauding him as a key figure in the club’s surge to the grand final last season.
“At the end of the day, it’s Wayne Bennett’s call, but Darius is the guy I would choose,” Hodges told The Courier-Mail.
“If you are looking for a short-term option, I think Corey Parker would do a good job.
“But personally, I would push for Darius. He’s ready and he would do the job well.
“As a captain, you need the respect of your peers and teammates and Darius has that at the Broncos. He has played a lot of Origin and Test matches, he has won grand finals and he is the guy other players will respect and follow.”
Two years ago, Boyd was considered a better chance of winning Lotto than captaining an NRL club after entering rehab to treat depression as his life spiralled out of control.
But in the past 18 months, Boyd has undergone a drastic transformation. The 28-year-old has addressed his mental demons, reunited with his mother, taken on a mentoring role with Broncos players, including Anthony Milford, and celebrated fatherhood nine weeks ago.
Privately, Bennett has noted Boyd’s metamorphosis and regards him as a serious contender for the captaincy, although he is also closely monitoring Parker and Hunt.
Parker turns 34 in May, meaning he would only be a short-term leadership appointment. Boyd could be a risky appointment, but Hodges gave an insight into his behind-the-scenes work at Red Hill.
“I saw Darius come a long way this year,” Hodges said.
“He has come back from a lot of difficult things in his life but the way he has turned himself around this year is an inspiration.
“He was a great support to me as captain this year.
“I had some good support from guys like Corey and Adam Blair but to be honest Darius was the best one.
“Just seeing him in team meetings and in games ... on the training field he would take time out to teach younger guys like ‘Milf’.
“In the gym, he would even be on my back to do my weights properly and that’s what you need from a leader.
“Darius has earned the right to be the next captain.”
Asked if Bennett would prefer a long-term option given Hodges’ 12-month tenure, Parker said: “I don’t know, it’s up to Wayne and how he thinks and feels.
“We have a pretty good senior leadership group. I guess any one of the contenders with the ‘C’ beside their name would do a good job.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...e/news-story/c7eba0b21d0e8decd54f41a8010d04d0
Bennett made his first appearance of Brisbane’s pre-season on Tuesday as the master mentor begins the assessment process to install his new leader in the post-Hodges era.
Brisbane have a raft of options, with veteran forward Corey Parker, halfback Ben Hunt and hooker Andrew McCullough considered frontline contenders to lead the club in 2016.
But Hodges says Boyd has earned the right to be ordained as the 12th captain in Brisbane’s 29-year history, lauding him as a key figure in the club’s surge to the grand final last season.
“At the end of the day, it’s Wayne Bennett’s call, but Darius is the guy I would choose,” Hodges told The Courier-Mail.
“If you are looking for a short-term option, I think Corey Parker would do a good job.
“But personally, I would push for Darius. He’s ready and he would do the job well.
“As a captain, you need the respect of your peers and teammates and Darius has that at the Broncos. He has played a lot of Origin and Test matches, he has won grand finals and he is the guy other players will respect and follow.”
Two years ago, Boyd was considered a better chance of winning Lotto than captaining an NRL club after entering rehab to treat depression as his life spiralled out of control.
But in the past 18 months, Boyd has undergone a drastic transformation. The 28-year-old has addressed his mental demons, reunited with his mother, taken on a mentoring role with Broncos players, including Anthony Milford, and celebrated fatherhood nine weeks ago.
Privately, Bennett has noted Boyd’s metamorphosis and regards him as a serious contender for the captaincy, although he is also closely monitoring Parker and Hunt.
Parker turns 34 in May, meaning he would only be a short-term leadership appointment. Boyd could be a risky appointment, but Hodges gave an insight into his behind-the-scenes work at Red Hill.
“I saw Darius come a long way this year,” Hodges said.
“He has come back from a lot of difficult things in his life but the way he has turned himself around this year is an inspiration.
“He was a great support to me as captain this year.
“I had some good support from guys like Corey and Adam Blair but to be honest Darius was the best one.
“Just seeing him in team meetings and in games ... on the training field he would take time out to teach younger guys like ‘Milf’.
“In the gym, he would even be on my back to do my weights properly and that’s what you need from a leader.
“Darius has earned the right to be the next captain.”
Asked if Bennett would prefer a long-term option given Hodges’ 12-month tenure, Parker said: “I don’t know, it’s up to Wayne and how he thinks and feels.
“We have a pretty good senior leadership group. I guess any one of the contenders with the ‘C’ beside their name would do a good job.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...e/news-story/c7eba0b21d0e8decd54f41a8010d04d0
