Brisbane Broncos hooker Kobe Hetherington has praised his new teammates Adam Reynolds and Kurt Capewell for lifting the standards at the club.
The Broncos were heavy underdogs heading into Round 1 but an excellent team effort and a Capewell field goal sealed one of the most famous victories in the club’s recent history.
Hetherington has enjoyed the tough approach that Reynolds and Capewell have brought from their previous clubs and says that it’s paying dividends.
“It’s good having them around,” Hetherington said on SEN's Pat and Heals.
“They bring in what was working where they were.
“We’ve got a few systems in place now and everything is changing (for the better).
“(Adam) is a really good bloke and he’s such a good (influence) on us younger fellas.
“He makes us feel welcome and is a great skipper.
“Kurt Capewell has come in and he’s won a premiership now.
“It’s good to have him in there.
“He knows what it takes to win.”
Hetherington was a late withdrawal from Friday night’s win against the Rabbitohs as he also contracted COVID-19 alongside Reynolds.
Despite Reynolds not taking part in the win, Hetherington said the captain’s leadership and guidance shone in the win.
“The boys went in with a defensive mindset and I believe that’s what won us the game,” he said.
“Everyone was defending for each other.
“It wasn’t a pretty win, but it was a really gutsy win.
“You always take the two points no matter what (and) we worked hard for it.
“Really good signs early on in the year.”
The Broncos will be looking to grab consecutive wins for the first time since Round 2 2020 when they face the Bulldogs on March 20.