Mariner has speed to burn on wing
The Broncos are set to unleash one of the fastest players in the NRL, with speed demon Deine Mariner staking a claim for Selwyn Cobbo’s vacant wing spot for Brisbane’s historic Las Vegas season opener.
Cobbo’s move to centre this season to fill the Herbie Farnworth void has left Mariner, Jesse Arthars and Corey Oates vying for wing berths ahead of the Broncos’ roundone showdown with the Roosters on March 3 (AEDT).
With Arthars on the comeback trail after sustaining an ankle injury last month, Mariner has a glorious chance to be a starting member of Brisbane’s Sin City extravaganza.
The 20-year-old ran on the flanks outside Brisbane’s No.1 centre Kotoni Staggs at Broncos training on Wednesday in what could shape as a devastating right-side attacking alliance this season.
Rated the best schoolboy centre in the country two years ago, the Palm Beach Currumbin flyer is faster than Broncos superstar Reece Walsh – clocked at 4.7 seconds in 40-metre sprint testing.
Arthars was a model of consistency in his 20-game stint for the Broncos last season, but Staggs believes Mariner is ready to terrorise the NRL in 2024 after a patient two-year apprenticeship at Red Hill.
“Deano has been good in pre-season,” Staggs said.
“He is still a young fella himself, he got a couple of games last year, he had that taste of NRL and he has a lot of improvement.
“He is still young and still learning. He is loving where he is (on the wing). I love having him outside me, he is very quick, so you give him the ball in space and he’s gone.
“He is taking the opportunity now that Kevvie (Walters) has given him with both hands. He wants to get better in that wing position.”
The Auckland-born Mariner is too good for the Queensland Cup, having scored 18 tries in 22 games for feeder club Wynnum Manly, including four in a sizzling Seagulls debut in 2022.
The strapping Kiwi Test hopeful has scored five tries in six games for the Broncos since his NRL debut against Wests Tigers 18 months ago and is ultimately viewed as a first-choice centre.