SHAUN Nona had a simple reason for coming to the Broncos.
The Broncos' assistant coach Jason Demetriou was here.
The pair have had an amazing run together, winning both the Queensland and NSW state premierships.
They backed that up by winning the NRL State Championship game between the winners of both leagues on NRL Grand Final Day – not once, but twice.
Demetriou coached Nona as the Cairns-based Northern Pride won the 2014 Intrust Super Cup, before going on to defeat Penrith in the inaugural NRL State Championship game a week later.
Nona was with Demetriou again as he led the Dragons' feeder club Illawarra Cutters to the NSW Cup in 2016.
They subsequently defeated the Burleigh Bears in the NRL State Championship clash.
When Nona got the chance to come to Brisbane midway through last year, it didn't take him long to make the decision.
"We just have a good relationship," he said of his bond with Demetriou.
"I like 'JD's' style of football and it suits my kind of game.
"I was lucky enough to play under him up at the Pride, and down at the Dragons, and now at the Broncos.
"I have been very lucky with him.
"We won a premiership in the 'Q' Cup back at the Northern Pride and then we backed that up at the Dragons with Illawarra.
"We won both of the (NRL State Championships) as well.
"He is a good coach - he knows what he is talking about and how to prepare the boys for the big games."
Nona now has a critical month coming up as he showcases his game in Broncos' trials, starting with a match against the Central Capras in Theodore on February 10.
"The next couple of weeks coming into the first trial in Theodore, we will start to work on our combinations," said Nona.
"Hopefully we can perform well and put ourselves forward for selection."
