@fergiefurr said:
My understanding was that jarrod Mullen basically got mcdonnell to newie. They were good mates from junior rep days. He went for basically nothing, smith just rubber stamped it.
Brian smith has never been one for big name recruits, he gets players that he sees something in and tries to bring out the best on them. Look at the sides he has got to grand finals, then look at the teams Bennett and sheens have had. On paper smiths efforts are much much more.
That is a fair call regarding Smith's recruitment - but it is a bit tough on Bennett who makes players what they are and retains them!
The Broncos were never big external recruiters until the past few years - but they always recruited quality when they flashed the chequebook around! Jackson, Currie, Backo & Tronc in 1989 - Allen, Shearer & Kevvy Walters in 1990, Gillmeister in 1991, Lazarus in 1992, nil in 93/94, Darren Smith in 1995, Robbie Ross in 1996, Tallis & Mundine in 97, Campion in 1998, Priddis in 99, Howard & Ikin in 2000, Prince & Kelly in 2001, Gee & Langer (returning from SL) in 2002, Tonie Carroll (returning from SL) in 2003, Darren Smith (again) in 2004, Hodges & Thorn (back from the All-Blacks) in 2005 + Hannant & Perry in 2006!
Quality recruiting - not quantity - while developing your own team/juniors from within has been at the core of his and the Broncos success - and that is exactly the same blueprint that Sheensy has tried (and at times failed) to emulate at our club!!!
However - as 2005 proved - it is the way to go [i.e. - 6 key positional recruits (Hodgo, Richards, Elford, Whatuira, Payten & Prince) - with 3 club veterans (Galea, O'Neill & Skando) - and 8 internally-developed players (3 being semi-established first graders in Laffranchi, Halatau & Fitzy + 5 rookies in Marshall, Farah, Fulton, Gibbs and Heighno)!!! (add Harrison, McDonnell, Wilson & Cashmere to the extended bench - and you get 3 more club rookies + a veteran)!!!
This focus on quality recruitment ahead of quantity has also been our major focus for the past two seasons with Ellis and Tuqiri leading the way! And while we did pick up a few last season - they were primarily bought to both replace and provide an improvement on our departing players (e.g. Daniela for Collis, Moors for Laurie, Brown for Gallant, Flanagan for Payne & Fulton for Danny Galea)!!!
The Broncos under Bennett were also the first team to welcome back veteran ex-ESL players (in my memory) with Langer, Gee & Carroll - which again provided the impetus for us to resurrect Skando & Fitzy - (whether you consider that a good or bad thing)!
