Brisbane middle Cotton Staggs scored the match winner within the 18-12 derby win over the Dolphins and says his post-try celebration reinforcing “who owns Suncorp Stadium” was all about making a degree expensive to Broncos’ hearts.
Earlier than the sport, Dolphins CEO Terry Reader had mentioned the Broncos had been now “co-tenants” of Suncorp Stadium with the brand new group.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Kotoni Staggs scores the match profitable attempt for the Broncos.
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Whereas technically true, the Broncos had been at pains for a lot of the week main into the sport to make the purpose that it was nonetheless their non secular residence.
The topic resonated with Staggs who raced 100 meters to attain the ultimate attempt within the 77th minute on Friday night time earlier than turning into animated and vocal.
“I simply mentioned, ‘That is our residence’. There may need been an ‘F’ phrase there however I used to be only a bit emotional with such a great way to complete the sport,” Staggs mentioned.
“We knew the battle towards them was going to be about who owns Suncorp … with one other Brisbane group coming in. That simply got here straight to thoughts once I scored. It’s our residence.
“The Cowboys have been a superb recreation in earlier years and we’ve one other now with the Dolphins.”
When Staggs began off his profession, he performed for Redcliffe Dolphins within the Queensland Cup, a membership that he nonetheless holds in excessive regard.
“After I first made my method to Brisbane from Wellington in NSW that was my feeder membership,” he mentioned.
“I’ve obtained lots of respect for the Redcliffe Dolphins. They gave me a chance and we gained an Intrust Tremendous Cup (Queensland Cup) grand remaining once I was there.
“They are going to at all times maintain a particular half in my profession and it’s good to have them within the recreation.”
Regardless of his appreciation for the Dolphins as a corporation, Staggs mentioned he didn’t maintain talks with them about becoming a member of the brand new NRL franchise.
“When there was speak about one other group coming in… I had already dedicated to the Broncos for 4 years earlier than the Dolphins got here out,” he mentioned.
“I knew the place I used to be steady and that I used to be going to play my footy on the Broncos.”
Staggs admitted it wasn’t a whole efficiency by the Broncos towards the Dolphins however after 4 wins in a row the facet is oozing confidence and need.
“I believe we’re simply hanging in there. Our massive focus is protection. We all know we’ve been attacked,” he mentioned.
“Walshy (fullback Reece Walsh) made an error on the again finish of the sport and in earlier years we’d have put our heads down and been gone, however we caught in and obtained again and defended our line.”
Staggs spent most of 2021 on the sidelines after rupturing an ACL in late 2020. He returned to his finest in early 2022 earlier than gaining his NSW debut in Recreation One among State of Originhowever suffered a shoulder damage and was not chosen within the remaining two video games.
“Everybody needs to play footy on the highest degree and that is Origin,” he mentioned.
“My footy on the Brisbane Broncos will do the speaking … and hopefully I will discover myself within the group once more.”
