GCBRONCO
International Captain
- Mar 4, 2008
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Players we most respect
They are not the all-time greats of the game or the club.
They are the guys that two of the Broncos' favourite sons - Darren Lockyer and Corey Parker - say are the 'unsung heroes' of the club.
The pair of greats were asked at a recent function to name the players they respected the most.
And while the obvious names crop up as the best ever, when asked who they respected the most, some interesting players popped up.
Parker nominated two 2006 NRL Grand Final teammates - utility player David Stagg and Shaun Berrigan.
Generally a lock, Stagg played a mix of hooker in defence and centre in attack in the 2006 triumph, underlining his ability to do whatever the team needed.
That role helped the lightning-fast Berrigan float in and out of dummy half, a position where he caused the Storm trouble all night.
Berrigan went on to be named the Clive Churchill medallist as man of the match.
"I have played with some of the greats - none more than Darren Lockyer the guy beside me, or Allan Langer," said Parker.
"The thing that makes any organisation great is the collective - I have played with some wonderful players that haven't had all the accolades.
"The David Staggs and the Shaun Berrigans.
"When you go out to play you don't have to look sideways at them to know that they would do their job."
Lockyer said it was a real tradesman-like player that he admired.
Mick de Vere was a sharp-shooting goal kicker who did not possess supreme talents, but never gave in.
His solid play in the centres or on the wing were eventually rewarded with representative selection, and he won three grand finals with the Broncos.
De Vere still works for the Broncos today in a game development role.
"For me the best was 'Alf’ (Langer) - when the Broncos needed to win a game, he wanted the ball and more times than not he would deliver," said Lockyer.
"So it is pretty clear cut for me he was the best.
"In terms of those unsung heroes, people always ask me who I respect the most and you would think it would be someone you played against, like an Andrew Johns.
"But I think Michael de Vere was someone who was so dedicated to the cause and was such a great team player.
"He played for his country and for NSW - remember he got his head stapled back together.
"He typified the culture of the organisation.
"He did whatever he needed to do to get the job done and would go over and above."
They are not the all-time greats of the game or the club.
They are the guys that two of the Broncos' favourite sons - Darren Lockyer and Corey Parker - say are the 'unsung heroes' of the club.
The pair of greats were asked at a recent function to name the players they respected the most.
And while the obvious names crop up as the best ever, when asked who they respected the most, some interesting players popped up.
Parker nominated two 2006 NRL Grand Final teammates - utility player David Stagg and Shaun Berrigan.
Generally a lock, Stagg played a mix of hooker in defence and centre in attack in the 2006 triumph, underlining his ability to do whatever the team needed.
That role helped the lightning-fast Berrigan float in and out of dummy half, a position where he caused the Storm trouble all night.
Berrigan went on to be named the Clive Churchill medallist as man of the match.
"I have played with some of the greats - none more than Darren Lockyer the guy beside me, or Allan Langer," said Parker.
"The thing that makes any organisation great is the collective - I have played with some wonderful players that haven't had all the accolades.
"The David Staggs and the Shaun Berrigans.
"When you go out to play you don't have to look sideways at them to know that they would do their job."
Lockyer said it was a real tradesman-like player that he admired.
Mick de Vere was a sharp-shooting goal kicker who did not possess supreme talents, but never gave in.
His solid play in the centres or on the wing were eventually rewarded with representative selection, and he won three grand finals with the Broncos.
De Vere still works for the Broncos today in a game development role.
"For me the best was 'Alf’ (Langer) - when the Broncos needed to win a game, he wanted the ball and more times than not he would deliver," said Lockyer.
"So it is pretty clear cut for me he was the best.
"In terms of those unsung heroes, people always ask me who I respect the most and you would think it would be someone you played against, like an Andrew Johns.
"But I think Michael de Vere was someone who was so dedicated to the cause and was such a great team player.
"He played for his country and for NSW - remember he got his head stapled back together.
"He typified the culture of the organisation.
"He did whatever he needed to do to get the job done and would go over and above."
