Brisbane Broncos coach says fans bring humbling experience

part of the big crowd of local Broncos fans holding a banner of Captain Alex Glen, which reads "Alex Glen Broncos Power picture by Simon Keslep of Post Courier 

BY FIDELIS SUKINA

With all the excitement at the top level of rugby league Brisbane Broncos coach Jason Demetriou says seeing the fans crowd the airport was a humbling experience.

He added that the young players should see what the game means to the people of Papua New Guinea.

“The players were shocked they knew there would be supporters there and fans but they didn’t know how big it would be it was really humbling for the players to see especially the young guys to see what rugby league means to the people to see what they do means a lot for a lot of people.

“They get caught up with all the money and the hype that goes with the NRL they come here and see the people appreciate the game especially at the Intrust Super Cup level and the grassroots level it’s a privilege for us to be here,” Demetriou said.

He added that its good for the team to travel out and see the fans have a chance to see the Broncos on PNG soil.

“It’s good for us to get away before the start of the season, a bit of an eye opener for the players and a humbling experience for us week in week out its good for the game good for the people of PNG to see the Broncos on home soil.

“It’s going to be a tough game they were the Queensland Cup Champions last year and they will be looking forward to play with us and I know from past experiences they won’t be holding back and they will be physical and will be a different dynamic from what we play,” Demetriou said.

SP PNG Hunters coach Michael Marum said the Hunters are excited and will be seeing the game as an opportunity to test out the team before the start of the season.


“We are excited to play the Broncos whenever we have the chance to travel down to Brisbane we try to catch a Broncos game, it will be a good game on Saturday there are some new guys in the team and we would like to see them play and see how we can select a team for the start of the season, We got the message that we will be the Broncos this year and as soon as I announced it to the boys they got excited,”Marum said.