Henjak plots fairytale finish for Petero Civoniceva
Matt Marshall | October 09, 2009 12:00am
WELCOME sight ... Petero Civoniceva back in a Broncos uniform would please Brisbane fans. / The Courier-Mail
PETERO Civoniceva has whet the appetite of Broncos fans by admitting a fairytale return home to the glamour club in 2011 would appeal to him.
Speaking ahead of this month's Four Nations Tour, the Kangaroos veteran has given his strongest hint yet that a prodigal son-style cameo in Brisbane could be on the cards.
But the 33-year-old Penrith captain remains heavily committed to the third and final year of his current deal at the Panthers.
And he says extending his stay at Penrith beyond 2010 also remains a viable possibility.
It is believed Brisbane coach Ivan Henjak is plotting to bring the seasoned Australian prop, a veteran of 36 Tests, back home after next season.
A return to Red Hill, after a bitter contract dispute and subsequent exit in 2007, would prove a popular one.
Civoniceva was a much-loved Broncos figure, playing 215 games and scooping three best and fairest awards over 10 seasons of first grade at the club.
"I'm committed to Penrith next year and after that, I'm not sure - we'll have to wait and see," Civoniceva said. "Nothing beats being at home too so we'll wait and see what arises.
"If they (Broncos) approached us, we'd definitely sit down and see what we can do.
"But we'll see what Penrith have to say too - the club's been great to me. I'm happy down there. Bonnie (wife) and the kids fit in really well. It's a good community, and it's a great club. I can only see the club going up."
Civoniceva, who claimed back-to-back Broncos Player of the Year awards in 2006-07 before his move south, in addition to his 2004 win, has relished his stint at Penrith.
The Australian and Queensland veteran, who returned home to Redcliffe after yesterday's Kangaroos medical in Sydney, has found new energy in his old legs.
"I have enjoyed it down in Sydney and I definitely have no regrets," he said. "It's unfortunate how it all played out but I've relished the opportunity at the Panthers.
"It's been good for me, a change of scenery, and the captaincy has pushed me to get more out of my game."
Sidelined since Origin II in late June, his first major injury since a broken arm in 2000, Civoniceva says he feels fortunate to be selected on the European tour.
He will lead a new-look Roos engine-room that includes first-time tourists Ben Hannant, David Shillington and Brett White.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity, I missed so much of the year I doubted whether I'd be up for selection," he said. "I'm looking forward to the senior role. I've been fortunate to be part of the team for a while but your first tour is such an exciting time."
Hot debate has raged over the scant representation of top-three teams the Dragons, Bulldogs and Titans. But Civoniceva said the 11th placed Panthers deserved to have four on the tour - Michael Jennings, Luke Lewis and Trent Waterhouse also were picked.
