ANDREW McCullough says the reputation of new Broncos' signing Shaun Fensom ensures he will fit the mould the Brisbane club requires.
Former Raider and Cowboy Fensom brings 174 games of NRL experience to his one-year deal, and will add work rate and balance to the Broncos' squad.
The 30-year-old had his first training run with the Broncos this morning.
McCullough said Fensom's 'team first' work ethic was well known and he expected that to add to the Broncos' mix for season 2019.
"You speak to a lot of guys at other clubs who have played with him and one thing Shaun does well is compete hard," said McCullough this morning.
"You know what you are going to get from him every week - he will play hard for his teammates and that is what you want.
"He is a guy with plenty of experience and at this stage we don't have a lot of that and have lost a bit.
"So it is good to get that older guy back.
"He will tackle and hit the ball up for you and do a lot of work that goes unnoticed.
"The crowd might not appreciate it, but the coaching staff and the players around him will."
Fensom's game experience will be a handy attribute in a youthful Broncos' squad that will require new leaders.
With the exit of the retired Sam Thaiday and lock Josh McGuire to the Cowboys, the onus will be on the older forwards like McCullough and Matt Gillett to lead the way.
McCullough said helping the younger guys buy into that process was part of his role.
"It's about the way you present yourself at training, the way you compete and all that sort of thing," he said.
"It's trying to get those young guys competing hard.
"A lot of them are gifted athletically but you don't win footy games purely on athletic ability.
"In those crunch moments in tight games we will definitely need those young guys.
"It's on us to be enthusiastic when those young guys come here, so it is a two-way street there.
"When I was young it was something I enjoyed – just meeting those older guys.
"So we will make time to meet with and get to know a lot of them."
