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New Broncos Recruits Support Full of Kindness Christmas Toy Drive

Newly settled in Red Hill, Broncos recruits Tom Duffy and Aublix Tawha are already lending a hand off the field, supporting the Kia Full of Kindness Christmas Toy Drive to bring joy to children this festive season.

Read: Broncos Reveal Bold New Look as Brisbane Charges Into a New Era

Just weeks into their preseason at Broncos HQ, Duffy and Tawha are settling into life in Red Hill while also giving back to the community. The pair joined a launch event with Broncos Ambassador Matt Gillett and local schoolchildren for the fifth annual Kia Full of Kindness Christmas Toy Drive.

The initiative invites south‑east Queensland residents to donate toys for children in need. Drop‑off points are set up at Broncos headquarters in Red Hill and at participating Kia dealerships until 7 December. After the collection period, Broncos players will help deliver gifts to local hospitals on 15 December.

This year’s drive includes a giveaway: a brand‑new Kia Tasman will be awarded to a Queenslander nominated by fans for community kindness. Nominations can be submitted via the Broncos website.

Duffy, who recently relocated from Townsville, said joining the toy drive offered a meaningful start at the Club. He saw it as a chance to help bring happiness to families doing it tough during the festive season and welcomed the Club’s commitment to the community.

Tawha, who joined the Broncos as part of a cross‑city move, said he appreciated the warm welcome at Red Hill and valued the opportunity to give back. He reflected that being involved in community efforts helped make settling in easier and more positive.

Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy noted the initiative is about more than gifts; it reflects the Club’s commitment to community, connection, and generosity. Kia Australia’s Brisbane network also expressed pride in collaborating on the toy drive and supporting families in need.

For Red Hill residents and Broncos supporters, the toy drive emphasises the Club’s focus on community engagement. Whether by donating a toy, nominating a “Kia kind Queenslander,” or helping with deliveries, people are encouraged to take part.

Read: Broncos Legends Meet Young Cancer Battler in Red Hill

The Kia Full of Kindness Christmas Toy Drive highlights the importance of giving back during the festive season. With Duffy and Tawha now settling into Red Hill and supporting the cause, the initiative underlines how players can contribute to community welfare beyond the field.

Published 26-November-2025

PETA Urges Broncos at Red Hill to Retire Live Mascot Buck

Photo Credit: Brisbane Broncos

An animal rights organisation has launched a campaign directed at the Brisbane Broncos, urging the team to retire Buck their live horse mascot, and asking the team to reconsider the team name due to concerns about animal welfare and what some perceive to be the glorification of rodeo practices.

PETA’s Concerns and Proposed Changes

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia-Pacific Campaign Manager, Abigail Forsyth, stated that using live animals at sporting events is inappropriate, describing the experience for a horse like Buck in a stadium filled with bright lights, loud noises, and cheering fans as terrifying and distressing.

The organisation has directly appealed to the Broncos, suggesting that while retiring Buck is their primary request, the team should also consider the implications of their name and imagery, arguing that it promotes rodeos, an industry they believe is built on animal fear and pain.

Furthermore, PETA has proposed that the Brisbane Broncos adopt a new name that does not involve animal cruelty, suggesting “Brisbane Boomerangs” as a potential alternative. This name would meaningfully acknowledge the club’s history of fostering Indigenous talent and its commitment to equality.

PETA representatives, including Vice-President Mimi Bekhechi, have echoed this sentiment, suggesting that other sporting teams have already embraced the Boomerangs moniker and would present a more progressive image for the NRL club. They even offered a new logo design to support this potential rebranding.

Broncos’ Response and Community Sentiments

The Brisbane Broncos have publicly responded to PETA’s campaign, firmly stating they have no plans to retire Buck. The club emphasised that Buck is an iconic, much-loved, and well-cared-for member of the Broncos family, a tradition that has existed for a significant period.

They assured the community that their game-day staff consistently work with Buck’s rider and the stadium management to ensure the highest level of safety for both the horse and the fans attending matches at Suncorp Stadium.

The PETA suggestion has also drawn a reaction from within the Broncos community. Club legend Chris Johns dismissed the idea as “the most ridiculous suggestion of all time.” Current Broncos forward Payne Haas also supported Buck, reassuring fans that the mascot is “safe” and “with us.”

This indicates a strong connection and affection for Buck within the team and its supporter base. Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy confirmed that while he had not received direct correspondence from PETA, the club’s position on Buck’s future remains unchanged.

Rodeo Imagery and Animal Welfare Arguments

A key aspect of PETA’s campaign is its criticism of the Broncos’ “bucking bronco” imagery, which it argues glorifies rodeos. It describes rodeos as one of Queensland’s cruellest and most backward undertakings, detailing the use of spurs, electric prods, and ropes to provoke a fight-or-flight response in animals for entertainment.

PETA also highlighted the risks to young calves in roping events, where they can suffer serious injury or death. They contend that these animals are unwilling participants in such spectacles.

In contrast, PETA suggests that a human mascot in a costume could fulfil the role without any ethical concerns. They pointed out that a person inside a costume can consent to performing in front of crowds and does not require the extensive care and consideration needed for a live animal. PETA believes that removing the live Buck from the field would be the best ethical decision the Broncos could make.

Despite PETA’s strong stance, the Brisbane Broncos appear resolute in keeping their current mascot and team name. Buck the horse is expected to continue his role at future games.

The debate, however, raises important questions within the community about the ethics of using live animals for entertainment and the broader implications of sports team branding.

Published Date 16-May-2025

Ezra Mam Back as Broncos Need to Bounce Back from Being Latrelled

OK, so let’s address the elephant in the room. It’s Origin time, and 12 months ago, Madge Maguire pulled off an unexpected turnaround for the Blues with a series decider at Suncorp. Madge is 1 from 1 in Origin and has made way for Laurie Daly, maintaining the perfect record.

Now the Broncos season has got a bit rocky of late. Madge is under pressure. The new discipline which had the Broncos off to the races until a few weeks ago has given way to giving up good leads and, frankly, not looking as consistently dangerous in attack.

The game stats against the Rabbits look great on the surface. The Broncos, having 9 line breaks and 29 tackle breaks, but most of that was the first half where they dominated.

The crime last week was letting the Rabbits back into the game and not scoring in the second half. Getting Latrelled was an uncontrollable.

Is this a temporary blip or a virus slowly spreading at Red Hill?

The Dragons will be a good litmus test for whether the Broncos are genuine contenders this year. Losing their nailbiter to the Warriors last week suggests that they are competitive. Warriors are now 2nd on the ladder though the Dragons in 13th spot makes this a must win for the Broncos.

Ezra Mam returns to the Broncos side, a forced early recall to replace Ben Hunt, who’s hamstring injury rules him out at a crucial time for the Broncos. The former Ambrose Treacy College student has been slaughtered on social media for his off-the-field troubles but the Suncorp faithful will forgive everything if he can deliver on Sunday afternoon.

Xavier Willison will start. His tackle breaks are becoming valuable. Now, he just needs to learn how to offload like Kitione Kautoga of the Eels (what an offload to Inongi against the Dolphins for Dylan Brown’s try last week!).

Toby Couchman is replaced by Jack de Belin in the Dragons starting side. Blake Lawrie comes into the Interchange.

The game at Suncorp on Sunday, 18 May, kicks off at 2:00 p.m. If you can’t get there Kayo and Foxtel will broadcast the game live.

‘Little Angel’ Lara: Best Father’s Day gift for Broncos Dad Jordan Pereira

Photo Credit: Jordan Pereira/Instagram

Brisbane Broncos winger and Herston local Jordan Pereira says that because of his growing family, the way he prepares for NRL games has changed.

Jordan and his wife Sarah welcomed their second child, 3.2-kg bundle of joy Lara Suzie, into the world at Mater Mothers’ Hospital, just in time for Father’s Day.

The 30-year-old winger said his daughter’s arrival on 21 June 2023 had “softened me up a bit,” adding that her arrival had unlocked another side of him.

“I’m a pretty simple person when it comes to special events or days – all I need is good food and company,” he said. “I’ll be over the moon to spend the day with my little family.”

“She’s the best baby ever. She does everything perfectly – she eats and sleeps well,” he added.

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“Lara is polar opposites to our son Myles – he is two years old and he is a rough little bruiser! Lara helps balances things out, she’s just an easy baby.”

Jordan Pereira First Father's Day with new baby — Photo Credit: Supplied

Jordan said since having children, the way he prepared for NRL football games had changed.

“I used to prioritise myself before a game, and only myself, but you can’t take time off being a father,” he said.

“Now I have a clear mind going onto the footy field but a slightly more relaxed approached towards game days.”

Mr Pereira said his family was “definitely complete” and described the care they received at Mater Mothers’ Hospital as the “best”.

“If our family wasn’t complete, we’d definitely come back to Mater, even if we were living in another state! We loved everything about our journey there.”

Mater Mothers’ Hospitals is one of Australia’s largest and most advanced maternity services, delivering more than 12,000 babies every year.

Published 4-Sept-2023