What was Brandon Costin's name before he changed it!

[chileman]

Was reading an article in the Logan Reporter he is going to take over as coach of the Souths Logan Maggies next season. Was talking to my brother-in-law and trying to remember what his original name was.....he use to play for the Canberra Raiders right??

 

[Stagger eel]

Brandon Pearson.

from memory, he was a wests junior who probably played his best football at the club before he moved to the roosters than finished his NRL career in Canberra..was embroiled in controversy with Ben Kennedy that was well publicised at the time.

 

[paulquinn49]

Great player, as a Raiders fan I really liked him. Wrote a tribute thread on him aswell. I will try find it.

 

[edabomb]

He played for Country Origin in 1996 I think it was.

 

[Heritage XIII]

Elvis Presley

 

[paulquinn49]

Brandon Costin/Pearson was simply a God. Brandon's junior club was Coffs Harbour and his journey must be simply awesome as he made his way some 500km down the coast on the back of his awesome talents and dreams that would later bring him success.

One day I hope to meet the man and share a drink with him, hopefully enough drinks so he will tell me everything there is to know about him.

Brandon or Brad (Which is close friends and myself refer to him as) got his first start in the ARL competition in 1993 with South Sydney and it became clear he was a star signing. Kicking a brilliant 4/7 goal attempts saw his name been thrown around in the State of Origin mix. But he was to big a man to let that get to his head.

Other clubs were made to sit up and take notice and unfortunately for Souths his new found God status brought him offers from all round the world. Brandon had bravely moved on to the glamour club Western Suburbs Magpies and easily slotted into the team for the next 3 years scoring an unheard of 23 tries in 3 years. Again proving his all round brilliance he kicked 5/12 goals much to the delight of the Campbelltown faithful. Brandon's 142 points in 3 years again saw him targeted by rival clubs and he once again packed up and went to another team. His reward was a Country jersey… the pinnacle of Coffs Harbour Rugby League. Coffs Harbour got “Pearson Fever” and brought life back into the somewhat sleepy town. It is no coincidence that Coffs Harbour tourism reported a 463% increase in tourism next financial year.

A year passed and Brandon had signed with yet another club. He was a big believer in spreading his talent around and felt by staying at 1 or 2 clubs throughout his career he wasn’t doing the right thing by the game.

Brandon had signed with our beloved Raiders and quickly became a crowd favourite with his brutal defence and try scoring abilities. Much to the delight of the Canberra fans and coaching staff he could kick goals. This is best remembered when in 1999 he went through the whole year kicking at 100%

An ageing Laurie Daley was continually asked to step down for the younger more athletic Costin who had to settle with a centre spot and sometimes a bench spot. Brandon could have made an issue out of it but as we know Brandon is a team player and never let his brilliance get to his head.

In a huge blow for the game Brandon left his Raiders behind in season 2000 fearing the club was going to keep Daley in favour of him. Protests and marches throughout the streets of Civic weren’t enough to make the Canberra Raiders show an out of form Laurie Daley the door. Immediately after Brandon left 3 Raiders left the club. Brett Mullins and David Furner had left to play overseas following their inspirational team mate who had recently changed his name to avoid the media pressure.

Years passed and Brandon was happily carving up every English Super League side thrown at him. Living on a salary of just over $850,000 a year Brandon had done it all… well nearly.

Brandon’s life long dream was to represent the mighty USA Tomahawks in a game against the Australian Kangaroos. In late 2004 on a cold night in Pennsylvania Costin pulled on his jersey and played in his beloved halfback position. Wearing the number 7 for his country is what he dreamed of since he worked his first job as a banana sales rep in 1975 at the age of 2.

Brandon gave the USA Tomahawks a 24-6 lead at one stage to the delight of the 62,000 strong crowd. They rose as one when Brandon crashed over in one of the most emotional moments in American history.

The year is now 2005 and Brandon was naturally targeted by NRL powerhouse clubs seeking to fill their havles with exciting crowd pulling players. Sydney Roosters were reported to offer him a multi million dollar contract that included 3 houses and a team bus renamed to “The Costin Mobile”. Brandon remembering how Easts nearly ruined his career quickly turned it down and signed with the Tigers.

The Easts Tigers of the QLD Cup had got themselves a star player and are currently 2nd on the ladder behind the Burleigh Bears. Brandon took up the offer from the QLD Cup club to be closer to his other passion in life…Bananas. He is now senior banana sales rep in South East Queensland and the Northern Rivers of NSW.



Brandon in 2005

 Married to Cheree
 Has 2 children
 He and his wife both plan to study at University this year
 Is a current International player


Brandon Memories

Him kicking “that goal” for us in 1999 was a great piece of Canberra Raiders history

Who could forget that name change. It was a gutsy decision but only someone as brave and adventurous as Brandon could ever think of doing it.

 

[parra pete]

Brandon is now with Souths Logan Magpies (2006) and is highly regarded by everyone at that Club.
I met Brandon at the South Logan SOO Lunch in Brisbane in June. He is a great bloke.
Raiders Chairman J R McIntyre spoke glowingly of Brandon and his courage as both a footballer and a person.
Brandon told me that he was from Dubbo originally..

 

[nqcowboy87]

Brandon Costin/Pearson was simply a God. Brandon's junior club was Coffs Harbour and his journey must be simply awesome as he made his way some 500km down the coast on the back of his awesome talents and dreams that would later bring him success.

One day I hope to meet the man and share a drink with him, hopefully enough drinks so he will tell me everything there is to know about him.

Brandon or Brad (Which is close friends and myself refer to him as) got his first start in the ARL competition in 1993 with South Sydney and it became clear he was a star signing. Kicking a brilliant 4/7 goal attempts saw his name been thrown around in the State of Origin mix. But he was to big a man to let that get to his head.

Other clubs were made to sit up and take notice and unfortunately for Souths his new found God status brought him offers from all round the world. Brandon had bravely moved on to the glamour club Western Suburbs Magpies and easily slotted into the team for the next 3 years scoring an unheard of 23 tries in 3 years. Again proving his all round brilliance he kicked 5/12 goals much to the delight of the Campbelltown faithful. Brandon's 142 points in 3 years again saw him targeted by rival clubs and he once again packed up and went to another team. His reward was a Country jersey… the pinnacle of Coffs Harbour Rugby League. Coffs Harbour got “Pearson Fever” and brought life back into the somewhat sleepy town. It is no coincidence that Coffs Harbour tourism reported a 463% increase in tourism next financial year.

A year passed and Brandon had signed with yet another club. He was a big believer in spreading his talent around and felt by staying at 1 or 2 clubs throughout his career he wasn’t doing the right thing by the game.

Brandon had signed with our beloved Raiders and quickly became a crowd favourite with his brutal defence and try scoring abilities. Much to the delight of the Canberra fans and coaching staff he could kick goals. This is best remembered when in 1999 he went through the whole year kicking at 100%

An ageing Laurie Daley was continually asked to step down for the younger more athletic Costin who had to settle with a centre spot and sometimes a bench spot. Brandon could have made an issue out of it but as we know Brandon is a team player and never let his brilliance get to his head.

In a huge blow for the game Brandon left his Raiders behind in season 2000 fearing the club was going to keep Daley in favour of him. Protests and marches throughout the streets of Civic weren’t enough to make the Canberra Raiders show an out of form Laurie Daley the door. Immediately after Brandon left 3 Raiders left the club. Brett Mullins and David Furner had left to play overseas following their inspirational team mate who had recently changed his name to avoid the media pressure.

Years passed and Brandon was happily carving up every English Super League side thrown at him. Living on a salary of just over $850,000 a year Brandon had done it all… well nearly.

Brandon’s life long dream was to represent the mighty USA Tomahawks in a game against the Australian Kangaroos. In late 2004 on a cold night in Pennsylvania Costin pulled on his jersey and played in his beloved halfback position. Wearing the number 7 for his country is what he dreamed of since he worked his first job as a banana sales rep in 1975 at the age of 2.

Brandon gave the USA Tomahawks a 24-6 lead at one stage to the delight of the 62,000 strong crowd. They rose as one when Brandon crashed over in one of the most emotional moments in American history.

The year is now 2005 and Brandon was naturally targeted by NRL powerhouse clubs seeking to fill their havles with exciting crowd pulling players. Sydney Roosters were reported to offer him a multi million dollar contract that included 3 houses and a team bus renamed to “The Costin Mobile”. Brandon remembering how Easts nearly ruined his career quickly turned it down and signed with the Tigers.

The Easts Tigers of the QLD Cup had got themselves a star player and are currently 2nd on the ladder behind the Burleigh Bears. Brandon took up the offer from the QLD Cup club to be closer to his other passion in life…Bananas. He is now senior banana sales rep in South East Queensland and the Northern Rivers of NSW.



Brandon in 2005

? Married to Cheree
? Has 2 children
? He and his wife both plan to study at University this year
? Is a current International player


Brandon Memories

Him kicking “that goal” for us in 1999 was a great piece of Canberra Raiders history

Who could forget that name change. It was a gutsy decision but only someone as brave and adventurous as Brandon could ever think of doing it.

although i am huge fan of costins has been the magpies best this year that is almost as bad as the covell crap that the cwo spin

 

[XXXX Cap]

Not forgetting that he managed to fit in a stint with Norths Devils between being at Easts in 2005 and Souths Logan in 2006. Not a bad effort ! :shock:

 

[chileman]

Brandon is now with Souths Logan Magpies (2006) and is highly regarded by everyone at that Club.
I met Brandon at the South Logan SOO Lunch in Brisbane in June. He is a great bloke.
Raiders Chairman J R McIntyre spoke glowingly of Brandon and his courage as both a footballer and a person.
Brandon told me that he was from Dubbo originally..

Soon to be coach of the Souths Logan Maggies!

 

[parra pete]

Yeah I heard that too from people closely associated with the Magpies. Good choice IMO.
The SL Magpies have a terrific assocaition with the Raiders. A trial match between the Raiders and West Tigers is planned for early 2007..which will be a good money spinner for South Logan.
South Logan is on the way to becoming a force again in the QRL. Just a few more steps...

 

[chileman]

I'll see if I can find the article in the local rag (The Reporter) and post it here for you!

 

[851]

He played 5/8th for Saints in the 1992 Jersey Flegg Grand Final,losing 15 to 14 to Western Suburbs,Saints were minor premiers and expected to win.
The Saints side contained Jason Stevens,Gordon Tallis,Nathan Brown and a halfback who played first grade the year before(can't remember his name).
Wests had Josh White,Cherry Mescia and Stephen Kearney.
Brandon Pearson played his best footy for Wests in the centres,was sad to see him go to Canberra.

 

[parra pete]

Two former NRL players are looking to join Souths in 2007...

 

[parra pete]

The Souths Magpies that is not the Rabbitohs..

 

[XXXX Cap]

Squasher for one ?

 

[parra pete]

yes...and the other......is.....

 

[XXXX Cap]

Was only told about one - though I'll believe that one when I see it.

 

[mitch]

it was brandon pearson,changed it after a drug incident with ben kennedy when they were at the raiders.

 

[parra pete]

yes...and the other......is.....

'''Former Raider......?????