Mick De Vere keen to return to NRL with Broncos

[Pumba]

DeVere edging closer to Broncos return

BRISBANE are angling to re-ignite the NRL career of one of the club's favourite players with former Australian centre Michael DeVere keen to pull on a Broncos jumper again in 2009.
Two weeks after ex-Kiwis star Stacey Jones announced he was coming out of retirement to re-join the Warriors, Brisbane chief executive Bruno Cullen is in crucial talks with NRL salary cap commissioner Ian Schubert about adding DeVere to his club's playing roster.

"I'm keen to play if the body holds up," said DeVere at Brisbane's first official training session.

"I've got the desire back. Age is not a factor, I'm only three months older than Darren Lockyer."

DeVere, a fitness devotee, would be a wonderful asset for the Broncos during Origin time or if representative centre Justin Hodges proves slow in recovering from major off-season shoulder surgery.

With winger Darius Boyd following coach Wayne Bennett to St George for next season, DeVere could join an exciting Broncos backline already boosted by the arrival of Israel Folau.

Folau is set to form a lethal right side combination with Queensland Origin teammate Justin Hodges.

Talented youngster Steve Michaels, recovering well from knee and wrist surgeries, and DeVere could form a defensive left side partnership in a back unit capped by halves Lockyer and Peter Wallace, supporterd by the classy Karmichael Hunt behind them..

DeVere left the Broncos in 2004 as the club's leading all-time leading scorer with 1,082 points from 64 tries and 413 goals, a mark since overtaken by Lockyer who recently celebrated 300 games.

A member of three premiership-winning sides in 1997 (Super League), 1998 and 2000, he was widely regarded as one of the best defensive centres in the world. He played five State of Origins for NSW and four Tests for Australia.

Injury forced him back home after Huddersfield lost the Challenge Cup Final 42-12 to St Helens in 2006 and earlier this year he took up an offer to join Henjak's elite coaching roster because he always wanted to return to the Broncos who gave him his start after he wrote a letter to Bennett.

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Would love to see DeVere back one of my all time favorites from a club other then Newcastle!

 

[Pierced Soul]

do not want

i liked devere but his time is over. we need to be looking at developing younger players through the ranks ratehr then bring back old players

 

[Mr Saab]

Would have him for depth purposes.

 

[Spud]

do not want

i liked devere but his time is over. we need to be looking at developing younger players through the ranks ratehr then bring back old players

Including DeVere, we only have two players 30+. I think Hodges is our next oldest and he is only 26.

 

[Lockyer4President!]

Would welcome him back with open arms.

 

[Glory be Lockyer]

bring him back to kick sum goals. wud be a great addition.

Hunt
Michaels
DeVere
Hodges
Folau
Lockyer
Wallace

 

[Glory be Lockyer]

anyway, we've lost Darius 'surrender tackle' boyd, so we need to replace like for like.

 

[Rastus_in_Melbourne]

DeVere isn't just about playing. Having him back would be about a 30+ year old setting the tone for younger guys on how to train hard and to be professional, giving leadership.

Sounds like they are trying to squeeze him in for not much money, works for me.

 

[Dazzat]

DeVere isn't just about playing. Having him back would be about a 30+ year old setting the tone for younger guys on how to train hard and to be professional, giving leadership.

Sounds like they are trying to squeeze him in for not much money, works for me.

Totally agree. Let's not forget the guy played for NSW. He's a leader and will bring alot to the team. Sometimes there's things more valuable than pace and a step. Chief didn't have an abundance in that area, but solid as a rock. And I reckon we got bucket loads of flare throughout the rest of the backs.

 

[byrne_rovelli_fan82]

Hmmm I dunno. I liked the guy he was one of my fave players back in the times but I really don't fancy seeing former players coming back. I'm already against the Stacey Jones things (and getting yelled at all the time about it too)

 

[lockyno1]

Not too sure I'd want him, he was hardly quick as it is and to be honest I'd rather Folau and Hodges in the centres

 

[Widman]

I think he would be a great pickup. Very experienced and will help all the younger guys develop. Just having him with them at training will be great. We will be without Hodges and Folau during origin, DeVere can slot straight in and provide abit of leadership for all the younger guys. He wont be on much, so why not? Sounds like he just wants to play, rather than for the money. Would be handy as a kicker as well.

 

[El Diablo]

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/nrl/story/0,26746,24854426-5003409,00.html

Mick De Vere keen to return to NRL with Broncos

By Steve Ricketts | December 29, 2008 11:00pm

FORMER Test winger Mick De Vere is still waiting to get the green light from the NRL to resume his playing career with the Broncos after two years in retirement.

De Vere and the Broncos must convince the NRL to exclude the 32-year-old's job as a coaching and development officer with Easts Carina from salary cap assessments.

If not De Vere's comeback dreams could be over because it is unlikely the Broncos will have room to move under the cap.

De Vere announced his retirement after playing for Huddersfield in 2006 and returned to Australia where he took on the Easts Carina job, partly funded by the Broncos.

In the past 12 months he realised how much he missed playing and his aim is to become a 10-year player with the Broncos by playing in 2009.

De Vere wants to keep working in coaching and development and despite the demands on his time believes he can deliver for Easts Carina and the Broncos.

"The number one reason I'm playing is because I love the game and I love the Broncos and I want to come back and help the club," he said. "I also miss competing. Being out of it probably helped me get my desire back because I'd achieved everything I wanted winning premierships, playing State of Origin and playing for Australia.

"I wanted to go and play in England and I did that. So once I achieved all my goals I didn't have the same passion or desire.

"But getting into coaching and development gives you a new perspective on the game and it probably ignited that passion in me.

"I didn't really get to finish the way I wanted to here either with a knee injury and I had nine years and I'd like to have my 10th."

Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen said the club had submitted a detailed case to salary cap auditor Ian Schubert and they expected an answer early in the new year.

"We are not looking for anything special," Cullen said. "Mick just wants to continue in a job he has held for two years."

 

[emil1989]

hope he gets the green light

 

[marshall stalin]

maybe he can change his name back to mike hunt and the bronco's can convince the nrl it's a different player

 

[Daza_06]

With Stagg now at the Bulldogs you would think De Vere will get offered some kind of contract? Its not as though they are going to find anyone else to use the money on and De Vere should come cheap

 

[El Diablo]

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24949592-10389,00.html

Broncos comeback kid Michael De Vere could play Origin again

Karl deKroo and Matt Marshall

January 22, 2009 11:00pm

MICHAEL De Vere's comeback will officially be rubber-stamped by NRL salary-cap auditors today and in an unexpected boost for the evergreen Bronco he could also be in line for a shock return to representative football with New South Wales.

De Vere hasn't played at the elite level for two years, has been out of the NRL for four and last played for the Blues in 2004, but NSW Origin coach Craig Bellamy has revealed plans to monitor De Vere's comeback, claiming a return to the Origin fold isn't beyond the tough centre.

With Mark Gasnier having defected to French rugby union and the Blues desperate to avoid a historic fourth straight series defeat, Bellamy is willing to look outside the square to reinvigorate his state's flagging fortunes.

"Mick is a wonderful competitor and he is one of those guys who deserves everything he gets from the game because he works so hard for it," Bellamy said.

"He obviously hasn't played for a couple of years, and it will be a challenge for him to get back to the NRL level.

"But if anyone can put in the necessary work and has the determination to do it, it's Mick De Vere. I'm sure he'll make a good fist of it and if he is playing well enough, you'd have to at least consider him for NSW."

De Vere - a veteran of 170 first grade matches - is already lauded as among the most professional and mentally tough Broncos players to lace on a boot.

Just a month older than Test and club skipper Darren Lockyer, the 32-year-old is hungrier than ever to don a Broncos jumper again following his four-year sabbatical from the NRL.

"Yeah I'm 32, but there are a lot of blokes still playing who are older than me," De Vere said.

"I think if I had played the last two years it wouldn't be a factor. Being out of it, people think you're too old. If I'd been still playing people wouldn't even question it.

"I want to compete well and enjoy my footy. If I happen to win a premiership or play rep footy, it's a bonus."

De Vere has worked hard over the off-season and says he will start his 10th season at Red Hill in career-best shape.

Where he ultimately slots into Brisbane's star-studded backline is likely to be determined by three key factors - the pre-season form of both himself and returning gun Steve Michaels, the positioning of key signing Israel Folau and the fitness of Test star Justin Hodges.

 

[El Diablo]

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/nrl-rubber-stamp-de-veres-comeback-20090123-7oel.html

NRL rubber stamp De Vere's comeback
January 23, 2009 - 1:59PM

The NRL have officially rubber stamped Mick De Vere's comeback for the Brisbane Broncos.

More than two years after retiring, former Test centre De Vere, 32, has been given the green light to run out for the Broncos for one more year - his 10th overall at the club.

After the Broncos submitted a detailed case to NRL salary cap auditor Ian Schubert, De Vere was allowed to come back for Brisbane and keep working as a coaching and development officer with Easts Carina rugby league club.

De Vere made his debut at the Broncos in 1996 and is a veteran of 170 first-grade games.

But he has not played in the NRL for four years - and last tasted the elite level in 2006.

De Vere left the Broncos in 2004 as the club's leading all-time leading scorer with 1,082 points from 64 tries and 413 goals, a mark since overtaken by Darren Lockyer who recently celebrated 300 games.

A member of three premiership-winning sides - 1997 (Super League), 1998 and 2000 - he was widely regarded as one of the best defensive centres in the world.

He played five State of Origins for NSW and four Tests for Australia.

Injury forced him back home from the English Super League after Huddersfield lost the Challenge Cup Final 42-12 to St Helens in 2006 and in early 2008 he took up an offer to join new Broncos coach Ivan Henjak's support staff.

De Vere said coaching at Easts Carina had stoked his passion for playing again.

Broncos CEO Bruno Cullen said De Vere provided timely depth with a question mark over centre Justin Hodges' rehabilitation from major shoulder surgery.

After taking personal leave, Hodges returns to the Broncos on Monday.

 

[Jersey No 14]

He's a talent - He's do real well. Better than Gasnier

 

[icewind]

hes not exactly richly blessed with talent... but he has an extremely good work ethic, and his worst game is never far from his best. He won't win games for the blues, but he won't lose them either and his defence is solid. A Chris McKenna/Paul Bowman type.

His goal kicking on the other hand would be a big plus.