DeVere edging closer to Broncos return

[Assassin]

DeVere edging closer to Broncos return

November 17, 2008 BRISBANE are angling to re-ignite the NRL career of one of the club's favourite players with former Australian centre Michael DeVere keen to pull on a Broncos jumper again in 2009.

Two weeks after ex-Kiwis star Stacey Jones announced he was coming out of retirement to re-join the Warriors, Brisbane chief executive Bruno Cullen is in crucial talks with NRL salary cap commissioner Ian Schubert about adding DeVere to his club's playing roster.

"I'm keen to play if the body holds up," said DeVere at Brisbane's first official training session.

"I've got the desire back. Age is not a factor, I'm only three months older than Darren Lockyer."

DeVere, a fitness devotee, would be a wonderful asset for the Broncos during Origin time or if representative centre Justin Hodges proves slow in recovering from major off-season shoulder surgery.

With winger Darius Boyd following coach Wayne Bennett to St George for next season, DeVere could join an exciting Broncos backline already boosted by the arrival of Israel Folau.

Folau is set to form a lethal right side combination with Queensland Origin teammate Justin Hodges.

Talented youngster Steve Michaels, recovering well from knee and wrist surgeries, and DeVere could form a defensive left side partnership in a back unit capped by halves Lockyer and Peter Wallace, supporterd by the classy Karmichael Hunt behind them..

DeVere left the Broncos in 2004 as the club's leading all-time leading scorer with 1,082 points from 64 tries and 413 goals, a mark since overtaken by Lockyer who recently celebrated 300 games.

A member of three premiership-winning sides in 1997 (Super League), 1998 and 2000, he was widely regarded as one of the best defensive centres in the world. He played five State of Origins for NSW and four Tests for Australia.

Injury forced him back home after Huddersfield lost the Challenge Cup Final 42-12 to St Helens in 2006 and earlier this year he took up an offer to join Henjak's elite coaching roster because he always wanted to return to the Broncos who gave him his start after he wrote a letter to Bennett.

[Boofhead]

DeVere was one of my favorite players back in the day. Would love to see him back in the NRL.

Good luck to the Donks.

[Assassin]

Dear lord the Bronco's are trying to amass a backline of nearly god like quality... Devere was easily one of the best centres the Broncs ever fielded and even now he will hold his own I'm sure.

[Boofhead]

Wonder if Stacey Jones has started a trend, mass amount of retired players coming back!

Lets sign Wally for a season imo!

[DIEHARD]

This would be awesome, DeVere was one of my favourite Broncos along side Chris Walker.

He was an amazing player, just loved his hard work and he was a great support player and his goal kicking was amazing.

Too bad he was a Blue.

[Capital_Shark]

C'mon Sticky, I'll be ET is waiting by the phone.

How old is Mick these days? He seems to have been gone for a long time.

No, I didn't read past the headline.

[GCT_89]

C'mon Sticky, I'll be ET is waiting by the phone.

How old is Mick these days? He seems to have been gone for a long time.

No, I didn't read past the headline.

DeVere edging closer to Broncos return
"I've got the desire back. Age is not a factor, I'm only three months older than Darren Lockyer."

very interesting indeed........Origin call up anybody...............lol

nah, that broncos back line isnt looking too shabby............

[Paul]

great.The super league is starting offer the younger/better players contracts and the nrl are taking the old age pensioners back

[DIEHARD]

great.The super league is starting offer the younger/better players contracts and the nrl are taking the old age pensioners back

Hey if you are old enough, you are good enough LOL.