Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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- 33,253
A CHANGING of the guard is coming for Broncos prop Jarrod Wallace.
Two years ago he was a 22-year-old was fighting for a chance to be a fulltime NRL player.
Now he is a seasoned first-grader, barking instructions to the youngsters on the training paddock.
Wallace made his first grade debut in 2012 but only played one other game that year before notching up another 20 appearances over the next two seasons.
It was not until Wayne Bennett’s arrival at Brisbane last year that Wallace truly found his place in the Broncos 17.
He has matured quickly since then.
He is a confident figure around the club, slowly becoming a young leader, guiding younger players around the field.
Wallace stepped up as a mentor this week as 21-year-old prop Herman Ese’ese trained in place of injured Alex Glenn.
Wallace feels he is finally reaching a place where he can start showing more leadership now he is no longer the one who needs extra attention and guidance, thanks to those who helped him through the ranks.
“Corey Parker has been a massive mentor and leader for me, not just as our captain, but a good mate,’’ Wallace said.
“When I was struggling a bit there, he was always pushing me to be better.
“Josh (McGuire) and Sammy (Thaiday) do the same thing. (Adam) Blair helped me last year as well.
“I’ve been lucky that I’ve been here with some good front rowers. I got to train in my first year with Petero (Civoniceva) and learnt a lot from him.
“If they’re trying to tell me anything, I listen up and try to do the best I can.”
Wallace said as he watched Ese’ese run through Brisbane’s plays on Tuesday, he was reminded of when he was also on the brink of a first grade position.
When he was not pulling on the jersey for Brisbane, he was returning each week to play in the Intrust Super Cup competition with Norths.
He said it was during this time when he learned the most he could from his forward mentors.
With 53 NRL games and a grand final appearance now under his belt, he said he wants to start developing more into a leader.
Last season he focused only on his own game but now he’s looking at a bigger picture.
“Coming into last year, I wanted to just play the best footy I could,” he said.
“But this year ... if I can do my job on the paddock every week and help others out as much as I can at the same time, that’s what I’d like to do.
“After we had a good year last year, I feel like everyone is gelling really well.
“When those young guys do come in, they can blend in and be part of the banter.’’
Wallace said his development into a leading forward was also necessary for the future of the club.
Not everyone can stay at the Broncos and he knows that someone like Matt Gillett may not be at Red Hill next year, as much as he wants to see him re-sign.
He needs to mature quickly in case the likes of Gillett or even Parker are no longer around in the years to come.
Wallace is determined to learn a lesson from his one-year ban from playing State of Origin for Queensland after he was suspended for breaking curfew during an Emerging Players squad.
“Footy is a learning curve and you’re going to have your ups and your downs,” he said.
“When you get your downs, you have to learn from them and keep moving forward. I hope that I am doing that and will keep doing that this year.
“I am sure there’s probably going to be more downs over my career but hopefully not too many.
“If they do come, I will work from there and keep moving forward.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...k/news-story/d32118a05d3710b5369bb0874134c911
Two years ago he was a 22-year-old was fighting for a chance to be a fulltime NRL player.
Now he is a seasoned first-grader, barking instructions to the youngsters on the training paddock.
Wallace made his first grade debut in 2012 but only played one other game that year before notching up another 20 appearances over the next two seasons.
It was not until Wayne Bennett’s arrival at Brisbane last year that Wallace truly found his place in the Broncos 17.
He has matured quickly since then.
He is a confident figure around the club, slowly becoming a young leader, guiding younger players around the field.
Wallace stepped up as a mentor this week as 21-year-old prop Herman Ese’ese trained in place of injured Alex Glenn.
Wallace feels he is finally reaching a place where he can start showing more leadership now he is no longer the one who needs extra attention and guidance, thanks to those who helped him through the ranks.
“Corey Parker has been a massive mentor and leader for me, not just as our captain, but a good mate,’’ Wallace said.
“When I was struggling a bit there, he was always pushing me to be better.
“Josh (McGuire) and Sammy (Thaiday) do the same thing. (Adam) Blair helped me last year as well.
“I’ve been lucky that I’ve been here with some good front rowers. I got to train in my first year with Petero (Civoniceva) and learnt a lot from him.
“If they’re trying to tell me anything, I listen up and try to do the best I can.”
Wallace said as he watched Ese’ese run through Brisbane’s plays on Tuesday, he was reminded of when he was also on the brink of a first grade position.
When he was not pulling on the jersey for Brisbane, he was returning each week to play in the Intrust Super Cup competition with Norths.
He said it was during this time when he learned the most he could from his forward mentors.
With 53 NRL games and a grand final appearance now under his belt, he said he wants to start developing more into a leader.
Last season he focused only on his own game but now he’s looking at a bigger picture.
“Coming into last year, I wanted to just play the best footy I could,” he said.
“But this year ... if I can do my job on the paddock every week and help others out as much as I can at the same time, that’s what I’d like to do.
“After we had a good year last year, I feel like everyone is gelling really well.
“When those young guys do come in, they can blend in and be part of the banter.’’
Wallace said his development into a leading forward was also necessary for the future of the club.
Not everyone can stay at the Broncos and he knows that someone like Matt Gillett may not be at Red Hill next year, as much as he wants to see him re-sign.
He needs to mature quickly in case the likes of Gillett or even Parker are no longer around in the years to come.
Wallace is determined to learn a lesson from his one-year ban from playing State of Origin for Queensland after he was suspended for breaking curfew during an Emerging Players squad.
“Footy is a learning curve and you’re going to have your ups and your downs,” he said.
“When you get your downs, you have to learn from them and keep moving forward. I hope that I am doing that and will keep doing that this year.
“I am sure there’s probably going to be more downs over my career but hopefully not too many.
“If they do come, I will work from there and keep moving forward.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...k/news-story/d32118a05d3710b5369bb0874134c911
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