Tasked with taking over the reins for the injury-hit Broncos, understudy Jock Madden is ready to make the most of his first opportunity at a consistent NRL starting spot.
Since making his debut for Wests Tigers in 2021, Madden has never strung together more than five consecutive NRL games.
But after coach Kevin Walters turned to the 24-year-old to fill the void left by injured skipper Adam Reynolds, he delivered in spades, slotting a field goal to ice a heart-stopping Magic Round victory over Manly.
“I’ve always wanted to play NRL so to play consistent, week in and week out and build combinations with the players, it’s going to help my game a lot and I’m excited for it,” Madden said.
“Reyno encourages me to play my brand of footy and always picks out little things for my game that I took into this week - things that I can improve on and things that I can continue to do as well.
Jock Madden gives Broncos the lead
“He’s always great and always helps me with my game, particularly when I’m at training as well.”
Coach Walters, meanwhile, has every confidence Madden is the man to keep Brisbane’s premiership hopes alive while Reynolds races the clock to recover from a pec injury before the end of the season.
Madden has done a fine job filling in for the Broncos since joining the squad in 2023 but Walters believes an extended opportunity in first grade will come as blessing for both the deputy playmaker and the club.
Brendan Piakura Try
“We’ve got a lot of confidence in Jock and what he brings to the team,” Walters said post-match on Friday. "He’s a different type of player to Adam but tonight we saw a cool head in a tough period and his game is going to get better over the next 10-12 weeks, the more he plays with these guys.
“He’s only going to get better for us and defensively, I thought he was really good tonight. He’s got good speed in that position to check and release and he also doesn’t mind getting his body in front.
“He’ll get more football in the next 10 weeks than he’s had from us over two seasons so that’s a blessing for all of us.”
A student of the game, the former Wests Tiger has been spotted perfecting his kicking game on days off and after slotting a one-point field goal to steal the late victory on Friday, the Scone product proved ready to put practise into play.
“It’s my job to steer the boys around the park and take it when those opportunities come,” Madden said.
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“That was my first field goal. It was special, obviously. The forwards got us in a good position down there and they do that all game so when it comes, I knew I had to take it and hit it well.
“So that’s why I go in and practice to know that I’ve done the work throughout the week so when it comes to the games, it’s all good to go.
“I practice all types of kicks on my day off.”
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