Jharal Yow Yeh

Jharal Yow Yeh was destined to become one of rugby league's greatest wingers, before a cruel injury ended his football dreams, and saddened his many thousands of fans.

Yow Yeh attended Brisbane's Ferny Grove State High and played junior rugby league for Norths Devils, before spending time in the Parramatta junior system.

He moved back to Brisbane from Sydney, to play for Norths, before joining the Broncos for their National Youth Competition campaign in 2008, scoring two tries in the 28-24 grand final loss to Canberra. He also was named in the competition's Team of the Year.

You get so much confidence being around so many great players ... they've got your back and all you have to worry about is doing your job.

Jharal Yow Yeh FOG #172

A handy futsal (indoor soccer) player, Yow Yeh had speed, beautiful balance and strength. In 2009, he made his NRL debut for the Broncos against the Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium in Round 1, going on to score nine tries in his rookie season, including one for the ages against the Cowboys in Round 25 in Townsville.

Yow Yeh took a Johnathan Thurston kick on the fly, before bamboozling the Maroons legend with a superb in-and-away. In 2010, he played for the Indigenous All Stars against the NRL All Stars, a sign of the representative honours to come.

All he wanted to do in 2011 was cement his first grade spot at the Broncos, but instead he soared to state and international stardom.

He made his Test debut for Australia on May 6, 2011, in a Trans-Tasman clash on the Gold Coast.

The 'bolter' in the Australian line-up, Yow Yeh scored a try in the Kangaroos' 20-10 win over the Kiwis. He made his Queensland debut three weeks later, and again scored a try.

He played the remaining two matches of the 2011 series, scoring a try in the decider in Brisbane, which the Maroons won 34-24.

At the end of the year, he toured Britain with Australia's Four Nations squad, playing a Test against Wales, and then in the final against England at Elland Road, Leeds, scoring a try in each match. Australia beat Wales 56-14 and won the final 30-8.

Yow Yeh started 2012 with the world at his feet, with many critics tipping him to become one of the greats.

But in Round 4, he suffered a compound fracture of the right ankle playing for the Broncos against South Sydney in Perth. He required 10 operations to an injury that was so severe, doctors feared his foot might have to be amputated.

The injury proved career ending, although he defied medical predictions by making a brief comeback with Norths Devils in the 2014 Intrust Super Cup competition, playing his last match at Norths' home ground, Bishop Park.

After officially announcing his retirement on March 17, 2014, he was afforded a lap of honour at the next Broncos' home game.

He played 60 NRL matches for the Broncos, scoring 33 tries.

Yow Yeh had a media and ambassador's role with the Broncos, but was a victim of staff cuts, brought about by COVID. He has continued to work in Indigenous community campaigns, and as a radio commentator.