Best 17s of the NRL era: Brisbane

We're counting down every club's best 17 in the NRL era.

Starting with the Broncos, here is their best line-up over that period:

1. Darius Boyd 2006-08, 2015-current 178 games, 53 tries

Started his career with Brisbane, winning the premiership in his debut season on the wing. Was lured back by Wayne Bennett in 2015 and was unlucky not to win another on his return, as they lost to the Cowboys in the decider.

2. Lote Tuqiri 1999-2002 99 games, 56 tries

Pips Corey Oates to the wing spot on the merit of having won a premiership, in 2000. Was a very prolific tryscorer between 2000 and 2002 before his move to Rugby.

3. Brent Tate 2001-07 114 games, 41 tries

Rampaging centre with a strong work ethic and hunger, Tate was a brilliant servant for Brisbane for seven years, and scored a try in their 2006 Grand final victory.

4. Justin Hodges 2000-01, 2005-15 193 games, 73 tries

Started his career at Brisbane, playing 17 games over two years before returning in 2005 after a 3 year stint with the Roosters. One of the best centres of the modern era.

5. Wendell Sailor 1998-2001 103 games, 60 tries

The last four years of Sailor’s Brisbane career were his prolific, scoring 18 tries in a season three times and making his mark on the Queensland and Australia sides.

6. Darren Lockyer 1998-2011 304 games, 105 tries

He started his career at fullback and moved to five-eighth permanently in 2004 – he won a premiership in both positions. Played in three premierships since 98, and won the most appearances for the club; Greatest Bronco ever.

7. Kevin Walters 1998-2001 70 games, 10 tries

Just 70 games for ‘Kevvy’ in the NRL era but it’s enough for him to make this side, winning the ’98 and ’00 premierships and having a major impact on both.

8. Shane Webcke 1998-2006 230 games, 14 tries

A hugely influential leader of the Brisbane pack for a dozen years, Webcke played a large role in Brisbane’s three premierships of the NRL era, winning the 2006 title in his final match.

9. Shaun Berrigan 1999-2007 186 games, 77 tries

The ultimate utility; Berrigan played centre, five-eighth, halfback and hooker in his time at Brisbane. He was one of the best centres in the game on his day, but it was hooker where he played in the 2006 triumph, winning the Clive Churchill Medal for a standout performance.

10. Petero Civoniceva 1998-2007, 2012 235 games, 22 tries

Petero was Webcke’s long-time front row partner and was just as influential. The Fijian-born prop spent ten fruitful years with Brisbane before moving onto the Panthers. He returned to Brisbane at the age of 35 in 2012 for a solitary season before retirement.

11. Gorden Tallis 1998-2004 141 games, 46 tries

The raging bull’s aggression and passion couldn’t be matched by a fellow Bronco great. Tallis was a good try-scoring forward, scoring 8 tries in the 98 premiership winning season and 9 in the triumphant 2000 campaign.  He also captained the side from 2002-2004.

12. Sam Thaiday 2003-18 304 games, 40 tries 

Thaiday debuted in 2003 as a young prop and developed into a fine back-rower over the next few years, achieving a breakout season in 2006, forcing himself into the starting line-up en route to a premiership. Moved back to prop at the end of his career and was unlucky not to win in 2015.

13. Corey Parker 2001-16 347 games, 39 tries

Brisbane’s all-time greatest point-scorer, and one of the best goal-kicking forwards of all time. Parker is just second behind Lockyer in all time appearances, Parker may not have been as crucial to his side’s premiership success in 2006, but he was a hard-working and great servant to the club.

14. Alex Glenn 2009-current 255 games, 56 tries

Debuting in 2009, Alex Glenn has turned into a fine servant for the Broncos. Glenn hasn’t played less than 20 games in a season in his 11 year career so far and he was quick to establish himself as a key forward in the side, starting 86% of the 255 games he’s played for Brisbane.

15. Matt Gillett 2010-current 196 games, 58 tries

Gillett became known as hard-nosed, no-nonsense forward very early into his NRL career with Brisbane and was rewarded with Queensland representation in 2012 and Australia in 2014. A very versatile and reliable player, he can be considered unlucky to have not tasted premiership success yet.

16. Tonie Carroll 1998-2009 192 games, 45 tries

Tonie Carroll was a bullocking and bulldozing forward who could also fill in in other positions. He started at lock in the 1998 and 2006 Grand Finals however he played in the centres in 2000. A really intimidating opponent, Carroll was one of the hardest players to tackle on his day.

17. Brad Thorn 1998-2000, 2005-07 141 games, 25 tries

The dual international traded Rugby League for Rugby Union twice in a long career. He debuted for Brisbane in 1994, and played a major role for Brisbane in the 1998, 2000 and 2006 wins. He played out his last nine years as a professional athlete back in rugby union.