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'There is going to be pressure': Croft embraces spotlight

Brodie Croft says he does not view himself as the Broncos "saviour" but will embrace the spotlight of wearing the famous No.7 jersey.

Croft is a vital piece in the Broncos 2020 jigsaw and was recruited by coach Anthony Seibold from the Storm to provide the direction and game management that was missing at stages last year.

It is hoped his arrival will allow expected halves partner Anthony Milford to play his natural game.

Croft said his partnership with Milford was improving each week.

"I've been told to lead the team around and be the big organiser and the communicator and hopefully free up some time for Milf to do his thing," Croft said at a well-attended Broncos fan day on the weekend.

"He is a freak of a player and has that X-factor about him and that makes my job a lot easier.

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"I know from previous experience at Melbourne that whenever you come up against the Broncos the forward pack is strong and on the back of that you want to shut down Milford because he is electrifying in space and light on his feet."

The Broncos No.7 jersey is steeped in history courtesy of four-time premiership winner Allan Langer.

Croft is aware of the responsibility that is upon on his shoulders.

"It is a prestigious club the Brisbane Broncos and anytime you wear the number seven jersey there is going to be expectation and pressure," he said.

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"With my kicking game, I'd like to think I can have some good results with fifth-tackle options between myself and Milf. I like to pride myself on my defence as well so I'd like to think I can sturdy up that right edge as well."

Croft was asked what it was like to be "the saviour" of the Broncos.

"I wouldn't call myself the saviour," he said.

"I have got a great bunch of boys around me and if we all do our job collectively we are going to do some really good things this year which I am really excited for.

"There is going to be that pressure and spotlight on me I guess but I don't read into that too much. I sit down with Seibs and he is really good with telling me what he wants out of my position in the team, and the accountability is on me to perform."

Croft will pull the Brisbane jersey on for the first time at the NRL Nines where he will line up with Milford against his former club the Melbourne Storm.

Anytime you wear the number seven jersey there is going to be expectation

Broncos recruit Brodie Croft

"It is going to be a great contest coming up against the boys I've been playing with a few years now," Croft said.

"They are going to have a strong team ... so we are definitely going to have to be up for that challenge."

Croft said it was tough to leave a club where he learned so much under coach Craig Bellamy.

"The first three years I was down there the Storm made three grand finals. That was the expectation," he said.

"You know what you need to do to make a grand final and I learned a lot from that and hopefully I can bring some of that up here."

Acknowledgement of Country

Queensland Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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