Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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BRISBANE skipper Darius Boyd says Broncos players have no plans to follow the booze-free blueprint that inspired the club’s most recent premiership victory.
Boyd was a 19-year-old greenhorn in the 2006 Brisbane squad which made a pact to shun alcohol late in the season after five consecutive losses left the Broncos’ title hopes in tatters.
The sacrifice proved a masterstroke, with the teetotalling Broncos winning six of their final seven games, including their 15-8 boilover against Melbourne in the decider, to clinch a fairytale premiership.
The booze-free tactic has worked elsewhere, with Trent Robinson’s Roosters side winning the 2013 premiership after swearing off the drink in the final eight weeks of the season.
Broncos coach Wayne Bennett is well-known for being a non-drinker but Boyd says there is no pressure from Brisbane hierarchy for the squad to emulate the title-winning 2006 squad.
“There’s no booze ban,” Boyd said.
“We actually had a booze ban in 2006 and it seemed to work because we won the premiership.
“I guess it’s up to the club, the team and the management and whatever they think.
“At the end of the day, it’s not so much about drinking, it’s more the mentality of the sacrifice and putting the team first.
“It doesn’t necessarily have to be giving up alcohol, it could be arriving at training early or doing extras after training.
“We have some set rules but it’s more about respecting the jersey and the honour of what we do every week. We have standards to uphold and everyone here knows the standards.
“There is a lot of pride in the jersey and things you have to uphold if you want to be a Bronco.
“Most of the boys here understand the culture.”
Now aged 30, Boyd, as captain, is the squad’s most powerful voice renowned for driving Brisbane’s cultural standards. He says the Broncos’ class of 2017 is as responsible as any outfit he has seen when it comes to alcohol consumption.
“There’s not really a drinking environment here anyway,” he said.
“We all get along really well.
“We’re a very family-orientated club so once we have played on a Friday night, we might have a quiet barbecue or spend time with family on the weekend.
“Wayne and the coaches might make the final call (on a booze ban) but I don’t see any need for us to do that.”
Brisbane will move a step closer to clinching second spot with victory over the Dragons on Friday night and Boyd attributes the Broncos’ success this year to their enterprising style.
“We have structures and certain shapes, but it’s more playing what you see,” he said.
“We don’t always get to certain points of the field. We always practise our shapes and it may change depending on who we’re playing, but when we play our style of footy, it’s about guys having eyes up and backing themselves.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...6/news-story/5d1af3deae9285a45a47c4ba8b954069
Boyd was a 19-year-old greenhorn in the 2006 Brisbane squad which made a pact to shun alcohol late in the season after five consecutive losses left the Broncos’ title hopes in tatters.
The sacrifice proved a masterstroke, with the teetotalling Broncos winning six of their final seven games, including their 15-8 boilover against Melbourne in the decider, to clinch a fairytale premiership.
The booze-free tactic has worked elsewhere, with Trent Robinson’s Roosters side winning the 2013 premiership after swearing off the drink in the final eight weeks of the season.
Broncos coach Wayne Bennett is well-known for being a non-drinker but Boyd says there is no pressure from Brisbane hierarchy for the squad to emulate the title-winning 2006 squad.
“There’s no booze ban,” Boyd said.
“We actually had a booze ban in 2006 and it seemed to work because we won the premiership.
“I guess it’s up to the club, the team and the management and whatever they think.
“At the end of the day, it’s not so much about drinking, it’s more the mentality of the sacrifice and putting the team first.
“It doesn’t necessarily have to be giving up alcohol, it could be arriving at training early or doing extras after training.
“We have some set rules but it’s more about respecting the jersey and the honour of what we do every week. We have standards to uphold and everyone here knows the standards.
“There is a lot of pride in the jersey and things you have to uphold if you want to be a Bronco.
“Most of the boys here understand the culture.”
Now aged 30, Boyd, as captain, is the squad’s most powerful voice renowned for driving Brisbane’s cultural standards. He says the Broncos’ class of 2017 is as responsible as any outfit he has seen when it comes to alcohol consumption.
“There’s not really a drinking environment here anyway,” he said.
“We all get along really well.
“We’re a very family-orientated club so once we have played on a Friday night, we might have a quiet barbecue or spend time with family on the weekend.
“Wayne and the coaches might make the final call (on a booze ban) but I don’t see any need for us to do that.”
Brisbane will move a step closer to clinching second spot with victory over the Dragons on Friday night and Boyd attributes the Broncos’ success this year to their enterprising style.
“We have structures and certain shapes, but it’s more playing what you see,” he said.
“We don’t always get to certain points of the field. We always practise our shapes and it may change depending on who we’re playing, but when we play our style of footy, it’s about guys having eyes up and backing themselves.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...6/news-story/5d1af3deae9285a45a47c4ba8b954069
