Boyd nearing best ahead of finals tilt
BRONCOS skipper Darius Boyd is back to his best after admitting he has struggled for most of 2018.
Boyd produced his best performance of the season in Brisbane’s 22-8 upset win against the Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
The 31-year-old fullback was sensational in his favoured No.1 jersey, pulling off a number of inspirational defensive plays as the Broncos held Sydney tryless for 67 minutes.
The former Palm Beach Currumbin student was briefly shifted from fullback to centre a month ago as coach Wayne Bennett searched for a way to spark the Broncos with their season on the line.
Rookie-of-the-year contender Jamayne Isaako did little wrong in three games at fullback, however Bennett’s decision to move Boyd back into his favoured position has proved to be an inspired one.
Boyd battled hamstring concerns at the start of the year that led to him being overlooked for Queensland Origin selection and saw him retire from rep football.
But he has found a yard of pace in recent wins against the Rabbitohs and Roosters and said he was firing heading into the finals.
“It’s pretty obvious to see, it hasn’t been my best year personally on the field,” Boyd said.
“I’ve been disappointed with that but the last two weeks I’ve been happy with my performances.
“It’s about building at the right time of the year and getting confidence back which I’m glad to be getting back.
“I want to be performing at my best and leading the team as well as I can.
“The last two games have been good. I need to keep improving on that.”
Despite his injury and form struggles, Boyd has played all 23 of Brisbane’s games this season.
Boyd’s performance against the Roosters wasn’t a statistical masterclass, instead built on guts in a typical captain’s knock.
Boyd will again start at fullback in Sunday’s final game of the regular season against Manly at Suncorp Stadium where the Broncos will have the opportunity to push for a home semi-final.
Veteran Broncos forward Sam Thaiday said Boyd had found happiness following what had been a gruelling season and it had rubbed off on his teammates.
“Darius smiled,” he said after the latest win.
“If you do the hard stuff you hope that it gets easy at the end of the game.”
IT’S PRETTY OBVIOUS TO SEE, IT HASN’T BEEN MY BEST YEAR PERSONALLY ON THE FIELD BRONCOS CAPTAIN DARIUS BOYD