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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Throughout the star-studded line-up which captured headlines 20 years ago, a little known halfback set about etching his name into Broncos\u2019 folklore.<\/p>\n Now, one of the club\u2019s greatest players believes the current under siege crop must adhere to the lessons taken from unheralded halfback, Shane Perry.<\/p>\n Speaking in Brisbane at the reunion of the club\u2019s 2006 premiership triumph, Darren Lockyer detailed how Perry proved a key cog in that fateful run to the title.<\/p>\n He may not have come with the pedigree of Lockyer, Justin Hodges, Shane Webcke or Brad Thorn, but Perry \u2013 who played 43 games for Brisbane before spending a year at Catalans in France \u2013 epitomised what the 2026 Broncos must emulate if they are to emerge from an injury crisis as a competition heavyweight.<\/p>\n Lockyer said despite losing five-straight games after the Origin period that year, the big game experience of key men ensured they overcame a rampant Melbourne Storm on grand final day \u2013 a feat the defending champions of today can still emulate.<\/p>\n Related Article But the unsung heroes, he said, needed to rise to the occasion.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are so many great stories within the premierships, and Shane Perry was one of those. He brought a sense of calmness, he had a great kicking game, and he was a very smart footballer,\u201d Lockyer said.<\/p>\n \u201cShane wasn\u2019t the fastest No.7 going around, but he was perfect for what the team needed at the time. I don\u2019t think we can underestimate what he brought to that team and how much he contributed to winning 2006.<\/p>\n \u201cI think for a lot of people who maybe didn\u2019t think they\u2019d get the opportunity and then get their opportunity, they want to make the most of it. Shane definitely did that, and I think that\u2019s always been the Broncos ethos.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you get the Broncos jersey, it\u2019s yours to keep if you do the right thing by it. We weren\u2019t the best team throughout the year, but we got our timing right at the end of the year.\u201d<\/p>\n Brisbane\u2019s overflowing casualty ward this year has threatened to spoil coach Michael Maguire\u2019s bid to defend the NRL title, with 13 top-line players unavailable for Sunday\u2019s Magic Round clash with the Warriors. Skipper Adam Reynolds will return from concussion, while Ben Hunt made an early comeback from a knee issue last week.<\/p>\n Broncos casualty wardKotoni Staggs (suspension, round 13)\u00a0Payne Haas (knee, round 14)\u00a0Corey Jensen (pulmonary embolism, indefinite)\u00a0Deine Mariner (leg, indefinite)\u00a0Brendan Piakura (knee, indefinite)\u00a0Billy Walters (knee, indefinite)\u00a0Ben Te Kura (NFL opportunity, indefinite)\u00a0Blake Mozer (jaw, round 13)\u00a0Grant Anderson (knee, round 16)\u00a0Delouise Hoeter (knee, round 15)\u00a0Antonio Verhoeven (shoulder, indefinite)\u00a0Cameron Bukowski (collarbone, indefinite)\u00a0Jack Gosiewski (concussion, round 12)<\/p>\n Among those setbacks is winger Deine Mariner, who has been discharged from a Sydney hospital and returned home after suffering from acute compartment syndrome following the loss to the Sydney Roosters.<\/p>\n So severe was the concern, Mariner underwent surgery to save his leg from being amputated. Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam confirmed his teammate appeared in good spirits, despite the fact his season will now likely be over.<\/p>\n \u201cI was very happy to see Deine, I saw him yesterday at the club and had a little moment there with him when I was talking about how he was one of the first guys who came over, and he\u2019s still here [from] the academy when I was here,\u201d Mam said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe shared that little moment, and it\u2019s always good to reflect on that and see him in good spirits walking around with the crutches.\u201d<\/p>\n The Broncos will now need to rely on lesser known squad members Ben Talty, Hayze Perham, Preston Riki and rookie winger Phillip Coates \u2013 the younger brother of Maroons star Xavier to make his debut this week.<\/p>\n While the club managed impressive wins against the Tigers and Bulldogs, they have since suffered defeats to the Roosters and Sea Eagles in a worrying sign fatigue was setting in.<\/p>\n Related Article But 2006 premiership-winning fullback Justin Hodges believed there were similarities between his famous group and the modern-day team.<\/p>\n \u201cEven going back to last year there were heaps of similarities where they struggled after Origin. Everyone wrote us off, then we got together and had a dream run,\u201d Hodges said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis current side rings a little bit of that. If you look at Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan \u2013 those types of guys \u2013 we mould them into a Shane Webcke or Petero Civoniceva.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve just got to keep working hard, you can\u2019t rely on what you did last year. To win the comp, they\u2019ve got to work even harder than they did last year.\u201d<\/p>\n Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Darren](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0f5628b75b88292f2263cd8bd6a2828dfceb2f61.jpeg\")
Darren Lockyer and Wayne Bennett celebrate the Broncos 2006 premiership.Getty<\/p>\n![\"Max](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1778829496_251_9c031b54ce1395ea610d8fd60eea7cd31381eac85a0b56e3963cac6d51c0c9bf.jpeg\")
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