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Broncos guardian: How Staggs became keeper of flame
Joel Gould, AAP • September 11th, 2025 2:09 pm
Kotoni Staggs | Photo: AAP
Brisbane centre Kotoni Staggs has reinvented himself and set a benchmark as the passionate guardian of what it means to wear the famous Broncos jersey.
Once a wild child, the reformed 26-year-old is now part of the team's leadership group and a key figure ahead of Sunday's away qualifying against Canberra.
When Staggs scores he thumps the emblem on his chest with pride that oozes out of him. He regards himself as the caretaker of the jersey he wears, not the owner.
"As a young kid I was always a competitor. I hate losing," Staggs told AAP.
"I played with my local team, the Wellington Cowboys, my whole career.
"Every time I put that jersey on I always thought about the people that wore it before me. I gave respect to them.
"It's the same way I feel about the Broncos. You don't own the jersey. You are just wearing it and you want to leave a good mark on it when your time is over.
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"I had a dream as a young kid to play for the Broncos so every time I play I do bring the same passion. When my time is over here I want to be known as a player that wore his heart on his sleeve and gave my all."
The great centres that went before him like Steve Renouf, Chris Johns, Brent Tate and Justin Hodges mean a lot to Staggs. He wants to join them by adding a key missing piece to his career puzzle.
"They left a legacy of premierships that they have won. That's what I want to do," Staggs said.
"I want to win comps here, not just one but multiple. I want my name to be talked about the way they are.
"I don't play just for myself. It is for my family as well and for the people that wore the jersey before and their families."
Wayne Bennett gave Staggs his debut in 2018 and he's the only survivor of the side that played finals that year. Payne Haas had debuted but was injured for September footy.
Bennett wrote a book titled 'Man in the Mirror' and Staggs didn't like what he saw of himself at one point when he was making headlines for wrong reasons. One off-field incident too many led to a chastening meeting with NRL boss Andrew Abdo.
Instead of being in club statements about behaviour, he is winning man-of-the-match awards and making waves for being one of the game's best centres
"I have been here for the tough times, for the wooden spoon," Staggs said.
"I have played finals as well. I look back at where I was and where I am today and I am proud of the way I have turned my life around.
"I didn't start my career the way I should have away from footy. You are young once and you live and learn. I definitely learned what was right and wrong.
"I have got a lot of nephews and nieces. I looked at myself when I was in (the media) for bad reasons and I wanted them to look up to their uncle.
"I knew I had to turn it around. Meeting my partner (Brittany Becht) was a big change for me. I wouldn't be where I am today without what she has done for me. Good people take you to good places."
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