BRONCOS GUN READY FOR NEW LEADERSHIP ROLE AS KEVVIE LOCKS IN KEY ALLY

It wasn’t too long ago that Kotoni Staggs was a fresh-faced new kid on the block at Red Hill, but now the 23-year-old hopes to be a leader for the next crop of talent coming through. Staggs still in his early years as an NRL player but as he prepares for his four season in the top grade, he plans on being a mentor as such for the even younger guys at the club. “I didn’t always see myself as a leader but as I’ve gotten older — and the people around me have helped me to get to where I am — I’m willing to help anyone,” Staggs told Broncos.com.au. “The young fellas coming through too, I’ve been here for about four years now and there’s new players coming in. Sometimes you can be uncomfortable in positions so it’s just (about) getting to trust somebody. “I’m there (for them) and I’ve let them know not to hesitate to come and ask for help or if you need to talk to somebody, come talk to me. I’m pretty easy going, that’s how I get around the boys, I love joking. “That’s a thing at the club that I wanted to do, being a leader.” Staggs will have plenty of help guiding the young kids at the club when new recruits Adam Reynolds and Kurt Capewell arrive. 31-year-old Reynolds has played over 230 NRL games, won a premiership and represented New South Wales. Meanwhile, Capewell joins the Broncos fresh off a premiership with the Panthers and brings over 90 games of experience as well as an incumbent member of the Queensland team. “(Those) two blokes were just in the grand final... just bringing the experience to the team, it’s something we’re looking for,” Staggs said about the star recruits. “We’re a young group so to bring older and experienced players into the group, it will help.” Staggs has had a cruel run of injuries over the last two years. He suffered an ACL injury last year and then four games into his return this season he suffered a season-ending MCL injury on the same knee. But the good news is that he is fully recovered from the latest knee injury and is ready to go for pre-season. “The injury has been going well. I’ve still been coming in during the off-season just trying to get my knee right for Round 1, but I’m on track to be injury-free for pre-season so everything’s going good,” he said.

Source: Fox Sports