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IT did not take long for Scott Prince to slip back into captaincy mode yesterday as he performed sprint and endurance drills at Brisbane's first training session for the 2013 season.
He barked encouragement to his new Broncos teammates as conditioners worked the squad.
"Up and back, all the way through" Prince yelled, as Broncos captain Sam Thaiday watched from the shade.
It was Prince's first time back in the Broncos colours in 10 years, after stints at the Wests Tigers, including the 2005 premiership, and seven years with the Gold Coast.
It was also the first time Prince had spoken about his unhappy exit from the Titans. The club would not extend his contract beyond next year, concerned that at 32 he was approaching the end of his career.
Since the Broncos retired a 36-year-old last season in Petero Civoniceva and a 34-year-old the year before in Darren Lockyer, they are familiar with bringing out the best in senior citizens.
It's obvious Prince feels bitter at the way it has been handled and the fact he had to choose between playing one more NRL season, or accept a three-year contract at Hull and uproot his young family to live in England.
The Broncos provided the circuit-breaker with a two-year deal. "Both parties, from my side and the Titans, were disappointed about how it unfolded," Prince said. "But now it's all said and done, we look forward to the future. I'm sure the Titans would be saying that too."
He spoke of the emotional rollercoaster he and his family had been on. "It was very hard, very difficult how it all unfolded. It was a little disappointing I guess at the start.
"But we saw the light and had the opportunity to join the Broncos here," he said.
"They don't go out buying too many players so I'd like to thank "Hook" (Broncos coach Anthony Griffin) and all the crew here. There was no verbal agreement (with Hull), but there seemed to be a lot of talking. I just sat back. It was quite funny to see you guys write stories on the back of lies.
"It was quite amusing actually," Prince said.
He said he was never gagged by the Titans but could offer no explanation for why he was released from his final year when both the coach and club said they wanted him to stay.
It was Broncos football manager Andrew Gee who first called Prince a week ago to offer a deal on the same day the formal three-year deal with Hull was placed before Prince.
"The Broncos came in late. I thought I was pretty much on a plane going to the UK. It was perfect timing in the end.
"We sat down and had a discussion and things seemed to work out."
Prince was not the only football identity with a slightly bent ego at Broncos training yesterday. Former Parramatta coach Stephen Kearney was there and Prince arrived with grand final forward David Stagg, who was unwanted by Canterbury after two years.
Stagg, who turns 30 next year, is also a former Bronco.
"It's now head down, bum up, working hard to prove to people," Prince said, "to reinvent myself here and hopefully get a start in the team." He said he didn't mind whether he played halfback or five-eighth - he just wanted a start.
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Prince 2005 - 'blood brothers forever'. Broncos will be moody in 2013.
He barked encouragement to his new Broncos teammates as conditioners worked the squad.
"Up and back, all the way through" Prince yelled, as Broncos captain Sam Thaiday watched from the shade.
It was Prince's first time back in the Broncos colours in 10 years, after stints at the Wests Tigers, including the 2005 premiership, and seven years with the Gold Coast.
It was also the first time Prince had spoken about his unhappy exit from the Titans. The club would not extend his contract beyond next year, concerned that at 32 he was approaching the end of his career.
Since the Broncos retired a 36-year-old last season in Petero Civoniceva and a 34-year-old the year before in Darren Lockyer, they are familiar with bringing out the best in senior citizens.
It's obvious Prince feels bitter at the way it has been handled and the fact he had to choose between playing one more NRL season, or accept a three-year contract at Hull and uproot his young family to live in England.
The Broncos provided the circuit-breaker with a two-year deal. "Both parties, from my side and the Titans, were disappointed about how it unfolded," Prince said. "But now it's all said and done, we look forward to the future. I'm sure the Titans would be saying that too."
He spoke of the emotional rollercoaster he and his family had been on. "It was very hard, very difficult how it all unfolded. It was a little disappointing I guess at the start.
"But we saw the light and had the opportunity to join the Broncos here," he said.
"They don't go out buying too many players so I'd like to thank "Hook" (Broncos coach Anthony Griffin) and all the crew here. There was no verbal agreement (with Hull), but there seemed to be a lot of talking. I just sat back. It was quite funny to see you guys write stories on the back of lies.
"It was quite amusing actually," Prince said.
He said he was never gagged by the Titans but could offer no explanation for why he was released from his final year when both the coach and club said they wanted him to stay.
It was Broncos football manager Andrew Gee who first called Prince a week ago to offer a deal on the same day the formal three-year deal with Hull was placed before Prince.
"The Broncos came in late. I thought I was pretty much on a plane going to the UK. It was perfect timing in the end.
"We sat down and had a discussion and things seemed to work out."
Prince was not the only football identity with a slightly bent ego at Broncos training yesterday. Former Parramatta coach Stephen Kearney was there and Prince arrived with grand final forward David Stagg, who was unwanted by Canterbury after two years.
Stagg, who turns 30 next year, is also a former Bronco.
"It's now head down, bum up, working hard to prove to people," Prince said, "to reinvent myself here and hopefully get a start in the team." He said he didn't mind whether he played halfback or five-eighth - he just wanted a start.
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Prince 2005 - 'blood brothers forever'. Broncos will be moody in 2013.
