Brisbane centres Kotoni Staggs and Herbie Farnworth share a bond with club legend Steve Renouf that has them determined to do him proud in the NRL grand final against Penrith.
England-born Farnworth, 23, stayed with his uncle at four-time premiership-winning centre Renouf's house in Brisbane as a teenager chasing his dream of becoming a Bronco.
Farnworth plays in the same left centre position Renouf made his own.
Staggs works with Renouf, known as 'The Pearl', in the Deadly Choices program designed to help members of the Indigenous community make healthy lifestyle choices.
The 24-year-old wears the famous No.3 jersey in which Renouf reigned supreme on his way to a club record 142 tries.
"It is a jersey that will be remembered forever," Staggs said ahead of Sunday's grand final, his 100th NRL game.
"I have worked with Pearl at Deadly Choices. It is special. He is one of the Broncos greats and what he did for the club is amazing. Now I want to leave my legacy.
"You play footy to win comps, and I want to do it with this team."
Farnworth's uncle Brian Foley trained the young hopeful from the age of eight, initially in the Lancashire village of Blacko.
Foley worked with the Wigan Warriors in recruitment and development and has known Renouf since the Australian played for the English club in the early 2000s.
He said the Broncos champion made a big impression on the teenage Farnworth.
"Steve impressed upon Herbie the various experiences he'd had and lessons he had learned, and Herbie took it all on board," Foley told AAP.
"It gave him belief that he could become a Bronco."
Farnworth said it was "a great honour" to have an early association with Renouf.
"He is one of the greatest centres to play the game and I used to love going to his place. I am good friends with his son Charlie," Farnworth said.
"He has been really good to me, Steve. I have tried to base my game on effort, which was one of his big things.
"I wouldn't really compare myself to him. I try and pave my own path and hopefully can bring the (premiership) ring back to Brissie."
Renouf told AAP Farnworth and Staggs had done what he had always wanted the centres following in his footsteps to achieve.
The 53-year-old reflected on a moment 17 years ago to highlight his point.
In 2006, the Broncos had lost their first qualifying final to St George Illawarra and Renouf rang coach Wayne Bennett to offer some insight.
"Wayne said, 'Well why don't you come in and tell them?'," Renouf recalled.
"I came in and I brought my grand final jersey and talked to the centres about them wanting to own that jersey. I said, 'No one has taken my number off me yet but I want you to'.
"Justin Hodges and Brent Tate were two of them, and all I wanted was for them to come through and be successful. They did that, both wonderful Broncos.
"The team took my jersey with them and had it in the sheds for the grand final which they ultimately won against Melbourne."
Renouf's message to Farnworth and Staggs remains the same: own the jersey.
"And they have done that, both of them," he said.
"It is a shame Herbie is leaving for the Dolphins. I know he is close to Wayne but he can still go out a grand -final winner with the Brisbane Broncos.
"That is coveted, and I am sure a dream of players that are even at other clubs.
"Kotoni is a good lad and I love the combination he has with (fullback) Reece Walsh.
"Reece brings him into space. I have spoken to Kotoni about running in space rather than over the top of people.
"He likes the physical side of it but with Reece and Adam Reynolds throwing him clean balls it opens up for him."
Farnworth has done Renouf's old left centre position proud.
"Herbie is so super-competitive and loves the physical side of it," Renouf said.
"He has a deep love for the Broncos. He has done since he was 14 when he stayed at my place and trained with my son Charlie when they were both in the Broncos system."
Renouf is confident the Broncos can go all the way.
"I have no doubt they can win it but Penrith don't give you much," he said.
"If the Broncos get any opportunity, they just have to take it."
