pennywisealfie
State of Origin Captain
Contributor
- Mar 4, 2008
- 10,547
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So now they are no longer Broncos what are your best memories of these 3 guys in the Maroon and Gold?
Initially I was weary about signing Ben Te'o. I just didn't see any value with the signing given we already had Eastwood (this was prior to bringing Benton back which made him try and flee to the UK), Setu on his way & Alex Glenn coming through. It took me about 2 years to come around but he really won me over in 2010 when he was one of only a few who'd put their hand up week after week to the point now I feel upset to let him go. Souths have picked themselves up another bargain Broncos forward.
I like how Ben has this ability to just come on and play his game no matter how much on the back-foot we're in. He can really turn a match in a blink of the eye and right now he'd have to be one of the best fringe runners in the game.
Favourite memory is the last second last distance try he scored against Penrith to re-start our season. He wasn't the highlight of that play or anything but it was just so typical of him to be there for such an amazing try. I thought he was a tad lucky though it never went to the video, his foot goes mighty close to the sideline!
Gerard Beale seemed to be everyone's favourite player to never play a first grade game back in 2008. Coaches loved him too and he was very close to earning a starting spot infront of Reece Robinson to start that season. Instead, he was a stand-out in our first ever NYC game and it really kicked off his underground following.
His debut game was funny to watch. I don't think I've seen a fullback look so lost at the back, for the most part it seemed like he never left his own in-goal - that's how far back he was but when he was called onto defuse an incredibly difficult bomb Beale put his body on the line, jumped up above the pack and I believe ended up breaking his arm. That play really stuck with me.
He was a bit like our ugly duckling. Very ordinary on the wing, at centre and at dummy half but when he finally got a chance at fullback he shone and was close to our best most weeks.
He didn't have the best final season but I believe his best football is infront of him & we're going to regret letting him go.