Former Melbourne flyer Grant Anderson says he did not sign with Brisbane to play reserve grade as the race for outside back positions hots up.
It is a testament to the Broncos' great depth that Anderson and 2023 Broncos grand finalist Jesse Arthars have their work cut out to break into the side.
Anderson can play wing, centre or fullback but 2025 premiership winners Josiah Karapani, Deine Mariner, Kotoni Staggs and Gehamat Shibasaki are front-runners to retain their spots for the World Club Challenge against Hull KR and early rounds of the NRL.
Anderson's signature was secured well before the Broncos emerged as premiership material.
It will be music to the ears of Brisbane's brains trust that a Storm player has jumped ship to enhance their game. The Broncos once lost the likes of current star Storm winger Xavier Coates to Melbourne, saying the same thing while heading in the other direction.
"Just the opportunity to grow my game and play with the calibre of players here really excites me," Anderson said.
" It is the chance to learn in another system and hopefully my game can go to another level.
"There is a lot of talent there and that's just the luxury we have. We want to win (the comp) again and we are all going to be needed.
"I signed before the season started last year and It is just a great club to be involved in. The community here is driven on by the Broncos' success and I feel like it is somewhere I can be myself.
"Every day I come with a smile and I am happy to be here. It's infectious."
Anderson would be guaranteed a start at just about any other club but he will have to prove himself.
Asked what his favourite position is, he replied: "Anywhere in the 13."
Coach Michael Maguire will appreciate the 26-year-old's desire after he played 50 NRL games for the Storm but without featuring in their past two grand final losses.
"You are not training every day if you want to play reserve grade," Anderson said.
"That is all the other boys here as well. We all want to play NRL and put that Broncos jersey on.
"I will take the knowledge I learned from Melbourne but this is a new place and I have got to earn my stripes.
"It is a whole new vibe for me here in Brisbane. I am loving life."
Every Bronco wants to make the flight to the UK to take on the Robins on February 20 (AEST) and Anderson is vying to be one of them.
"I have got no idea who is on the plane yet but we are not going over there to fill numbers," he said.
"The boys going over there have a job to do and hopefully we can get it done."
Anderson is clearly keen to play alongside Broncos whiz kid Reece Walsh and benefit from his creativity.
"Walshy is a freak athlete," Anderson said.
"You just watch him and how he moves. Things happen around him."
Canberra Times
