
Broncos stand by 'legend' after drink-driving charge
The 55-year-old former NRL star allegedly returned a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.197 when intercepted by police at 10.45pm on Tuesday in the Brisbane suburb of Red Hill.
He has apologised for his actions since being charged with one count of driving under the influence of liquor, adding he would accept his punishment and aim to do better.
But Broncos coach Michael Maguire refused to criticise the Queensland and Australia representative when quizzed about the incident on Thursday.
Labelling Renouf a "legend", Maguire said the club's Old Boys organisation, which looks after former players, would support the four-time premiership winner.
"One thing I do know about this place is that they support their Old Boys, it's a very strong club in that space," he said.
"Everyone will be reaching out and looking after him.
"That's all people need, whether or not you play at the club or are in the walks of life, people go through things, you reach out and help out."
Renouf, who won't face court until July 16, said his actions were unacceptable.
"I have let down my family, the Broncos' fans, the rugby league community, the Queensland public and my mob," he wrote in an Instagram post.
"I am sorry for letting everyone down and am embarrassed and disappointed with my actions. I will accept my punishment and will aim to do better."
It is not the first driving scandal at the Broncos in the past 12 months.
Star five-eighth Ezra Mam was suspended for nine games after a head-on collision with an Uber when he was driving unlicensed and with drugs in his system.
The three occupants of the Uber were injured, including a young girl.
Mam was fined $850 and disqualified from driving for six months.
Renouf played 183 games for the Broncos, scoring 142 tries, while he also represented Queensland and Australia.
He was named in the centres in the Indigenous team of the century that was picked in 2008.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Haas ready to face different Shibasaki in Origin arena
Payne Haas could see the difference in Queensland State of Origin bolter Gehamat Shibasaki from the moment he arrived at Brisbane this pre-season on a weekly $1000 train-and-trial deal. Once teenage teammates at the Broncos, Shibasaki and Haas will play on opposing teams in a senior match for just the second time in next week's series decider. But their path from Brisbane's under-20s team in 2017 to Accor Stadium next Wednesday night couldn't be any more different. While Haas has been the NRL's best front-rower for the past five years at Brisbane, Shibisaki has been on a rollercoaster ride to crack it in first grade. Like Haas, the centre debuted at the Broncos in 2018, but then found himself out the door to Newcastle where he also struggled for game time. A move to Japanese rugby with the Green Rockets Tokatsu followed in 2022, before he took up a train-and-trial deal with the North Queensland Cowboys. The 26-year-old then spent last year playing Queensland Cup in Townsville and had a week-to-week contract arrangement with South Sydney during their injury crisis. Another train-and-trial deal came at Brisbane this year, where Shibasaki was reunited with Haas who noticed a big difference. "He's way more dialled in," Haas said. "He took his training more seriously, the way he was eating, the way he was preparing for training, it was cool to see. "I knew he was serious about it. I knew he knew this was his last shot. He took it with both hands and he's never looked back." The difference is telling. Shibasaki's selection for Queensland is about as left field as it gets, but it comes in a year where he has scored 12 tries in 15 games for the Broncos. The centre has become the first player in history to be picked to play Origin while on a development deal, after being upgraded to one from his train-and-trial agreement. AAP understands the Bronco's current contract sits at just $85,000, but he will be upgraded to become a full-time member of Brisbane's NRL squad next year. "When I sat down with him on his first training session, I wasn't quite sure where he was going to get to," Broncos coach Michael Maguire said. "I can't tell you how hard he worked in the pre-season to give himself the opportunity." Haas insisted Shibasaki's talent had always been there, even if it had taken until seven years after his NRL debut for him to become a top-grade regular. "He's always been gifted, he was one of the best players growing up when we were kids," Haas said. "He lost his way a bit the last few years. But he's found his way back and I'm super proud of him. "He worked so hard, this was his last shot and he's taken it with both hands. "I just hate that he's a Queenslander." Payne Haas could see the difference in Queensland State of Origin bolter Gehamat Shibasaki from the moment he arrived at Brisbane this pre-season on a weekly $1000 train-and-trial deal. Once teenage teammates at the Broncos, Shibasaki and Haas will play on opposing teams in a senior match for just the second time in next week's series decider. But their path from Brisbane's under-20s team in 2017 to Accor Stadium next Wednesday night couldn't be any more different. While Haas has been the NRL's best front-rower for the past five years at Brisbane, Shibisaki has been on a rollercoaster ride to crack it in first grade. Like Haas, the centre debuted at the Broncos in 2018, but then found himself out the door to Newcastle where he also struggled for game time. A move to Japanese rugby with the Green Rockets Tokatsu followed in 2022, before he took up a train-and-trial deal with the North Queensland Cowboys. The 26-year-old then spent last year playing Queensland Cup in Townsville and had a week-to-week contract arrangement with South Sydney during their injury crisis. Another train-and-trial deal came at Brisbane this year, where Shibasaki was reunited with Haas who noticed a big difference. "He's way more dialled in," Haas said. "He took his training more seriously, the way he was eating, the way he was preparing for training, it was cool to see. "I knew he was serious about it. I knew he knew this was his last shot. He took it with both hands and he's never looked back." The difference is telling. Shibasaki's selection for Queensland is about as left field as it gets, but it comes in a year where he has scored 12 tries in 15 games for the Broncos. The centre has become the first player in history to be picked to play Origin while on a development deal, after being upgraded to one from his train-and-trial agreement. AAP understands the Bronco's current contract sits at just $85,000, but he will be upgraded to become a full-time member of Brisbane's NRL squad next year. "When I sat down with him on his first training session, I wasn't quite sure where he was going to get to," Broncos coach Michael Maguire said. "I can't tell you how hard he worked in the pre-season to give himself the opportunity." Haas insisted Shibasaki's talent had always been there, even if it had taken until seven years after his NRL debut for him to become a top-grade regular. "He's always been gifted, he was one of the best players growing up when we were kids," Haas said. "He lost his way a bit the last few years. But he's found his way back and I'm super proud of him. "He worked so hard, this was his last shot and he's taken it with both hands. "I just hate that he's a Queenslander." Payne Haas could see the difference in Queensland State of Origin bolter Gehamat Shibasaki from the moment he arrived at Brisbane this pre-season on a weekly $1000 train-and-trial deal. Once teenage teammates at the Broncos, Shibasaki and Haas will play on opposing teams in a senior match for just the second time in next week's series decider. But their path from Brisbane's under-20s team in 2017 to Accor Stadium next Wednesday night couldn't be any more different. While Haas has been the NRL's best front-rower for the past five years at Brisbane, Shibisaki has been on a rollercoaster ride to crack it in first grade. Like Haas, the centre debuted at the Broncos in 2018, but then found himself out the door to Newcastle where he also struggled for game time. A move to Japanese rugby with the Green Rockets Tokatsu followed in 2022, before he took up a train-and-trial deal with the North Queensland Cowboys. The 26-year-old then spent last year playing Queensland Cup in Townsville and had a week-to-week contract arrangement with South Sydney during their injury crisis. Another train-and-trial deal came at Brisbane this year, where Shibasaki was reunited with Haas who noticed a big difference. "He's way more dialled in," Haas said. "He took his training more seriously, the way he was eating, the way he was preparing for training, it was cool to see. "I knew he was serious about it. I knew he knew this was his last shot. He took it with both hands and he's never looked back." The difference is telling. Shibasaki's selection for Queensland is about as left field as it gets, but it comes in a year where he has scored 12 tries in 15 games for the Broncos. The centre has become the first player in history to be picked to play Origin while on a development deal, after being upgraded to one from his train-and-trial agreement. AAP understands the Bronco's current contract sits at just $85,000, but he will be upgraded to become a full-time member of Brisbane's NRL squad next year. "When I sat down with him on his first training session, I wasn't quite sure where he was going to get to," Broncos coach Michael Maguire said. "I can't tell you how hard he worked in the pre-season to give himself the opportunity." Haas insisted Shibasaki's talent had always been there, even if it had taken until seven years after his NRL debut for him to become a top-grade regular. "He's always been gifted, he was one of the best players growing up when we were kids," Haas said. "He lost his way a bit the last few years. But he's found his way back and I'm super proud of him. "He worked so hard, this was his last shot and he's taken it with both hands. "I just hate that he's a Queenslander."


The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Pagan revs up North in pre-game centenary ceremony
North Melbourne were served a vintage Denis Pagan rev-up to steel them for their AFL centenary celebration match. After the controversy over the last few days about how past greats were to be honoured, the Kangaroos put on an impressive pre-game ceremony on Thursday night at Marvel Stadium before playing the Western Bulldogs. Pagan, the two-time North premiership coach renowned for his tough love, had one of the key roles in the pre-match and he did not disappoint. Past greats joined the current players in forming a circle around Pagan on the ground, a couple of minutes before the first bounce, for his pre-match speech. Pagan made his thoughts clear about last week's 85-point loss to Hawthorn. "No-one intimidated us - we had a mantra, war without weapons," the 1996 and '99 premiership coach said of his teams, who won the club's most recent flags. "Everyone who ran out put his body on the line. "I want to see you blokes do that tonight. I had a look at Hawthorn last week ... a lot of you blokes have got a bit to answer for. "You make sure you're hard at the ball, you're hard at the man with the ball, you tackle and chase, you put pressure on your opponent - no daydreaming, just go for it and give it your best shot." Pagan's passionate two-minute speech went through club history, from the barren early days in the AFL through to the breakthrough 1970s premierships and then to the '90s. He noted in the early days, North were usually "hit from pillar to post". "They were able to get up off the canvas and come to fight again - probably a little bit similar to what you blokes have to do tonight," Pagan added. "You have to take a page out of their book." Earlier, as part of the parade of club greats, Pagan joined Wayne Carey in walking out onto the ground with the '99 premiership cup. Likewise, Wayne Schimmelbusch and Keith Greig ('75), David Dench and Malcolm Blight ('77) and Glenn Archer and Shannon Grant ('99) brought out their AFL premiership hardware. Coach Darren Crocker and Emma Kearney carried onto the ground last year's AFLW premiership cup. Sam Kekovich and John Burns, who played in the '75 premiership team, were controversial no-shows as expected. They were reportedly discontent with the fact their premiership was not to be recognised in a separate capacity - and also that the ceremony recognised the AFLW flag. Earlier on Friday, former AFL player Brendan Fevola said former players boycotting the ceremony were "absolute losers", noting Crocker also played in North's '96 premiership team. But two other notable inclusions in the pre-game ceremony were legendary former players Phil and Jim Krakouer, who represented the club's Indigenous heritage. The Krakouers are involved in a class action against the AFL for allegedly failing to protect players from on-field racial abuse. North Melbourne were served a vintage Denis Pagan rev-up to steel them for their AFL centenary celebration match. After the controversy over the last few days about how past greats were to be honoured, the Kangaroos put on an impressive pre-game ceremony on Thursday night at Marvel Stadium before playing the Western Bulldogs. Pagan, the two-time North premiership coach renowned for his tough love, had one of the key roles in the pre-match and he did not disappoint. Past greats joined the current players in forming a circle around Pagan on the ground, a couple of minutes before the first bounce, for his pre-match speech. Pagan made his thoughts clear about last week's 85-point loss to Hawthorn. "No-one intimidated us - we had a mantra, war without weapons," the 1996 and '99 premiership coach said of his teams, who won the club's most recent flags. "Everyone who ran out put his body on the line. "I want to see you blokes do that tonight. I had a look at Hawthorn last week ... a lot of you blokes have got a bit to answer for. "You make sure you're hard at the ball, you're hard at the man with the ball, you tackle and chase, you put pressure on your opponent - no daydreaming, just go for it and give it your best shot." Pagan's passionate two-minute speech went through club history, from the barren early days in the AFL through to the breakthrough 1970s premierships and then to the '90s. He noted in the early days, North were usually "hit from pillar to post". "They were able to get up off the canvas and come to fight again - probably a little bit similar to what you blokes have to do tonight," Pagan added. "You have to take a page out of their book." Earlier, as part of the parade of club greats, Pagan joined Wayne Carey in walking out onto the ground with the '99 premiership cup. Likewise, Wayne Schimmelbusch and Keith Greig ('75), David Dench and Malcolm Blight ('77) and Glenn Archer and Shannon Grant ('99) brought out their AFL premiership hardware. Coach Darren Crocker and Emma Kearney carried onto the ground last year's AFLW premiership cup. Sam Kekovich and John Burns, who played in the '75 premiership team, were controversial no-shows as expected. They were reportedly discontent with the fact their premiership was not to be recognised in a separate capacity - and also that the ceremony recognised the AFLW flag. Earlier on Friday, former AFL player Brendan Fevola said former players boycotting the ceremony were "absolute losers", noting Crocker also played in North's '96 premiership team. But two other notable inclusions in the pre-game ceremony were legendary former players Phil and Jim Krakouer, who represented the club's Indigenous heritage. The Krakouers are involved in a class action against the AFL for allegedly failing to protect players from on-field racial abuse. North Melbourne were served a vintage Denis Pagan rev-up to steel them for their AFL centenary celebration match. After the controversy over the last few days about how past greats were to be honoured, the Kangaroos put on an impressive pre-game ceremony on Thursday night at Marvel Stadium before playing the Western Bulldogs. Pagan, the two-time North premiership coach renowned for his tough love, had one of the key roles in the pre-match and he did not disappoint. Past greats joined the current players in forming a circle around Pagan on the ground, a couple of minutes before the first bounce, for his pre-match speech. Pagan made his thoughts clear about last week's 85-point loss to Hawthorn. "No-one intimidated us - we had a mantra, war without weapons," the 1996 and '99 premiership coach said of his teams, who won the club's most recent flags. "Everyone who ran out put his body on the line. "I want to see you blokes do that tonight. I had a look at Hawthorn last week ... a lot of you blokes have got a bit to answer for. "You make sure you're hard at the ball, you're hard at the man with the ball, you tackle and chase, you put pressure on your opponent - no daydreaming, just go for it and give it your best shot." Pagan's passionate two-minute speech went through club history, from the barren early days in the AFL through to the breakthrough 1970s premierships and then to the '90s. He noted in the early days, North were usually "hit from pillar to post". "They were able to get up off the canvas and come to fight again - probably a little bit similar to what you blokes have to do tonight," Pagan added. "You have to take a page out of their book." Earlier, as part of the parade of club greats, Pagan joined Wayne Carey in walking out onto the ground with the '99 premiership cup. Likewise, Wayne Schimmelbusch and Keith Greig ('75), David Dench and Malcolm Blight ('77) and Glenn Archer and Shannon Grant ('99) brought out their AFL premiership hardware. Coach Darren Crocker and Emma Kearney carried onto the ground last year's AFLW premiership cup. Sam Kekovich and John Burns, who played in the '75 premiership team, were controversial no-shows as expected. They were reportedly discontent with the fact their premiership was not to be recognised in a separate capacity - and also that the ceremony recognised the AFLW flag. Earlier on Friday, former AFL player Brendan Fevola said former players boycotting the ceremony were "absolute losers", noting Crocker also played in North's '96 premiership team. But two other notable inclusions in the pre-game ceremony were legendary former players Phil and Jim Krakouer, who represented the club's Indigenous heritage. The Krakouers are involved in a class action against the AFL for allegedly failing to protect players from on-field racial abuse.


Perth Now
5 hours ago
- Perth Now
Pagan revs up North in pre-game centenary ceremony
North Melbourne were served a vintage Denis Pagan rev-up to steel them for their AFL centenary celebration match. After the controversy over the last few days about how past greats were to be honoured, the Kangaroos put on an impressive pre-game ceremony on Thursday night at Marvel Stadium before playing the Western Bulldogs. Pagan, the two-time North premiership coach renowned for his tough love, had one of the key roles in the pre-match and he did not disappoint. Past greats joined the current players in forming a circle around Pagan on the ground, a couple of minutes before the first bounce, for his pre-match speech. Pagan made his thoughts clear about last week's 85-point loss to Hawthorn. "No-one intimidated us - we had a mantra, war without weapons," the 1996 and '99 premiership coach said of his teams, who won the club's most recent flags. "Everyone who ran out put his body on the line. "I want to see you blokes do that tonight. I had a look at Hawthorn last week ... a lot of you blokes have got a bit to answer for. "You make sure you're hard at the ball, you're hard at the man with the ball, you tackle and chase, you put pressure on your opponent - no daydreaming, just go for it and give it your best shot." Pagan's passionate two-minute speech went through club history, from the barren early days in the AFL through to the breakthrough 1970s premierships and then to the '90s. He noted in the early days, North were usually "hit from pillar to post". "They were able to get up off the canvas and come to fight again - probably a little bit similar to what you blokes have to do tonight," Pagan added. "You have to take a page out of their book." Earlier, as part of the parade of club greats, Pagan joined Wayne Carey in walking out onto the ground with the '99 premiership cup. Likewise, Wayne Schimmelbusch and Keith Greig ('75), David Dench and Malcolm Blight ('77) and Glenn Archer and Shannon Grant ('99) brought out their AFL premiership hardware. Coach Darren Crocker and Emma Kearney carried onto the ground last year's AFLW premiership cup. Sam Kekovich and John Burns, who played in the '75 premiership team, were controversial no-shows as expected. They were reportedly discontent with the fact their premiership was not to be recognised in a separate capacity - and also that the ceremony recognised the AFLW flag. Earlier on Friday, former AFL player Brendan Fevola said former players boycotting the ceremony were "absolute losers", noting Crocker also played in North's '96 premiership team. But two other notable inclusions in the pre-game ceremony were legendary former players Phil and Jim Krakouer, who represented the club's Indigenous heritage. The Krakouers are involved in a class action against the AFL for allegedly failing to protect players from on-field racial abuse.