typical 18 year old these “It was a pretty hard decision for me to days might either be studying make, but I think I chose the right one,” at university, doing an Bryce said. apprenticeship, working full- “The Bronco’s coaches were great Atime or focussing on a sporting career. during the whole controversy at school; Bryce Hegarty, on the other hand, which made the decision a lot easier. The can nearly tick three out of these four school coaches weren’t too supportive.” options. Hegarty was born into a rugby league FOR THE Facing controversies, glandular fever, fanatic family. His dad, Steve Hegarty, shoulder reconstructions and hours of played for Manly from 1984 to 1986. university study, this young player will be Rugby league has become Bryce’s life, interesting to watch in the near future. having played it from a very early age. He is the local boy who is He doesn’t know for sure how among Brisbane’s up and coming many games he has played in rugby league players. Having his life, but he can assure it’s a been handed a Broncos contract fair few. LOVE OF while still at his school of Marist “I had glandular fever for the College, Ashgrove, says a lot first couple months of 2010, about what he’s capable of. On which took me out of the top of multiple days of training, game,” Hegarty says. he is also studying a Law Degree at the “Then once I got over that, another Queensland University of Technology. At his age, life would be feeling like scoring problem occurred.” the winning try. Perhaps he wasn’t disappointed so OUR GAME But there are always hurdles to much of the glandular fever, but more so overcome to get to where he is. It began at the next high ball that would drop. two years ago, when Bryce was still at In a game at Brookvale Oval, Manly, school. Being a Year 11 student and Hegarty went into a tackle the wrong A potential superstar expalins the life faced with a prospective career with two way and felt a sudden pain in his of trying to become the next Lockyer. NRL clubs would be quite a hard decision shoulder. It had been dislocated, taking to make. The Sydney Roosters offered him once more out of the game; this BY CHRIS HONNERY him a contract early on in the year, but time for six months. it was the Brisbane Broncos who scored Hegarty plays in the five-eighth or best, as Bryce decided to sign with them halfback position, the same position as after a contract was offered. the one and only Darren Lockyer; an He signed with the Bronco’s feeling influential role model on Hegarty’s life. confident about the 2010 season. “I have only one idol and that’s Locky Sore legs, bruised bodies and (Darren Lockyer). I’ve grown up watching fatigue were all expected to him play and he’s just pure brilliance. I’m become part of his life. hoping to succeed like he has, playing A spiral of events would for the Bronco’s, Queensland and the occur, causing controversy Australian sides.” at his union-only school of “It is pretty difficult to juggle study and Marist College, Ashgrove. training, but I’m managing through it all.” Playing for the Norths Now that Darren Lockyer will be Devils Colts Rugby League leaving at the end of the 2011 season, it Club, Bryce finally made it will be interesting to see if Hegarty can to the finals in the national be the replacement to fill Lockyer’s huge ARL under 18’s finals boots of skill and responsibility. match against the Bulldogs. Hegarty chose rugby league over rugby However, another match union for one main reason, he loved it was also scheduled for the much more than the other. same day, being the Union’s A Monday night match marked his First XV trial match for Marist return to the U/20’s Bronco’s squad College against St Joseph’s which resulted in a 54-6 demolishing College. of the Newcastle Knights. His input was The school heard of this helpful, to say the least. Having a hand in double-booking. Hegarty was still a try and scoring one for himself showed fine to play union for the school the coaches what they had missed for had he opted to play the match the past 12 months. against the Bulldogs, however he After nearly 12 months Hegarty had would be moved down into the fourth-grade union side. only racked up three or four games with the U/20’s Bronco’s side. “I will be giving 100 per cent this year. I haven’t played many games this year, so I’m keen to show everyone exactly what I’m capable of,” he says. If Bryce Hegarty does make it into the BRONCO-TO-BE: Broncos, Maroons and Australian teams, Hegarty is set to prove he will have ticked off a very impressive that he is worthy to life checklist. be a Brisbane Bronco.