Michael DeVere flags NRL return

AAP | 17/11/08 | 0

Brisbane is angling to re-ignite the NRL career of one of it's favourite players with former Australian centre Michael DeVere keen to pull on a Broncos jumper again in 2009.

Two weeks after ex-Kiwis star Stacey Jones announced he was coming out of retirement to re-join the NZ Warriors,  Brisbane chief executive Bruno Cullen is in crucial talks with NRL salary cap commissioner Ian Schubert about adding DeVere to his club's playing roster.

"I'm keen to play if the body holds up," said DeVere at Brisbane's first official training on Monday.

"I've got the desire back. Age is not a factor, I'm only three months older than Darren Lockyer."

DeVere, a fitness devotee, would be a wonderful asset for the Broncos during Origin time or if representative centre Justin Hodges was slow recovering from major off-season shoulder surgery.

With winger Darius Boyd following coach Wayne Bennett to St George for next season, DeVere could join an exciting Brisbane backline already boosted by the arrival of Israel Folau.

Folau is set to  form a lethal right side combination with Queensland Origin teammate Justin Hodges.

Talented youngster Steve Michaels, recovering well from knee and wrist surgeries, and DeVere could form a defensive left side partnership in a back unit capped by halves Lockyer and Peter Wallace and classy fullback Karmichael Hunt.

DeVere left the Broncos in 2004 as the club's leading all-time leading scorer with 1,082 points from 64 tries and 413 goals, a mark since overtaken by Lockyer who recently celebrated 300 games.

A member of three premiership-winning sides in 1997 (Super League), 1998 and 2000, he was widely regarded as one of the best defensive centres in the world.

He played five State of Origins for NSW and four Tests for Australia.

Injury forced him back home after Huddersfield lost the Challenge Cup Final 42-12 to St Helens in 2006 and earlier this year he took up an offer to join Henjak's elite coaching roster because he always wanted to return to the Broncos who gave him his start after he wrote a letter to Bennett.

Bennett rated DeVere among the most committed trainers and most professional players he coached in his 21 years at the club.

"Nothing is set in concrete with Mick, we've have to work through the salary cap to see if it's possible but just having him around the players is fantastic," said coach Ivan Henjak.

"What he brought to this club we probably haven't seen since he left, his professionalism, his character and all the good examples her set.

"Hopefully we can work something out about him playing and if we can it will be a huge bonus for us."

I've got the desire back. Age is not a factor, I'm only three months older than Darren Lockyer... Michael DeVere