Roberts ready to repay faith
BRONCOS weapon James Roberts has opened up about resurrecting his career at Brisbane as he chases NRL finals redemption.
Roberts, along with winger Jordan Kahu, will be charged with shutting down Storm speedster Josh AddoCarr in tonight’s blockbuster preliminary final against Melbourne at AAMI Park.
This is the deepest in a season Roberts has ever been during a seven-year NRL career which has had its share of ups and downs.
Roberts, 24, made his NRL debut for South Sydney in 2011 before being punted by the Rabbitohs and picked up by Penrith.
He made six appearances for the Panthers in 2013 before being sacked, again for disciplinary reasons, and headed to the Gold Coast Titans in 2014.
After 36 games across two seasons at the Titans, Roberts walked out the door following a contract bungle and arrived at Red Hill in preparation for the 2016 season.
Roberts did not miss a game for the Broncos last year until a moment of madness cost him a spot in an epic elimination final against the Cowboys. In week one of the finals against the Titans, Roberts lashed out and kicked Gold Coast forward Ryan Simpkins, earning a onematch suspension.
He watched as Brisbane’s season came to an end in an extra-time thriller in Townsville and has been left wondering whether he could have made a difference.
Roberts has only missed one match this season and said he felt at home at Brisbane after inking a four-year contract extension.
“I’m very happy club,” he said. at the
“I re-signed for another four years. That’s an indication how good the club is and how I feel about the club.
“Obviously it is (a show of faith). Hopefully I am repaying it.”
Roberts spent his first season at the Broncos last year fine-tuning his defence.
He scored nine tries in 25 matches last year and has doubled his return to 18 in 25 games this season.
“It hasn’t really sunk in (that I’m playing a preliminary final),” he said.
“The boys have tried really hard. We’ve put a lot of effort in this year.”