Roberts on a mission
BRONCOS weapon James Roberts has opened up about resurrecting his career at Brisbane as he chases NRL finals redemption.
Roberts, along with winger Jordan Kaho, will be charged with shutting down Storm speedster Josh Addo- Carr 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 one- match ban.
He looked on as Brisbane’s season came to a heartbreaking end in an extra- time thriller in Townsville and has been wondering ever since whether he could have made a difference.
Roberts has only missed one match this season and feels at home at Brisbane after inking a four- year contract extension. “I’m very happy at the club,” he said. “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 finetuning his defence under the tutelage of Wayne Bennett.
He scored nine tries in 25 matches last year and has doubled his return to 18 in 25 games this season.
Along with fellow centre Tautau Moga ( 26 games), Roberts has been a constant in a backline that’s been rocked by injuries this year.
And he said the Broncos deserved all the success they could get if they are able to knock off Melbourne and qualify for the grand final. “I’ve enjoyed this year,” he said. “We went a bit quiet but we’re slowly finding some form. It hasn’t really sunk in ( that I’m playing a preliminary final).
“We’ve put a lot of effort in this year. The boys deserve everything we get.”