Shane Webcke

A highly respected voice in rugby league, Shane Webcke is regarded as one of the finest prop forwards to have played the game, a man who could always be relied on when the going got tough.

After representing Darling Downs at primary school level, he played for Allora-Clifton Wattles in the Toowoomba competition. He was on a Broncos' scholarship when he was 15, with coach, Wayne Bennett placing him at Brothers, after he moved to Brisbane.

Bennett had initially gone to the Darling Downs to watch Steve Price play, but Webcke was the youngster he signed. Webcke made his first grade debut for the Broncos, against Illawarra in 1995, and in 1997 played in two Super League Tri-Series matches, as well as touring England with the Australian team, after playing his part in the Broncos' premiership and World Club Challenge final wins.

He made his Origin debut in 1998, in Queensland's 2-1 series win, under the coaching of his club mentor, Bennett. That same year he made his Test debut against the Kiwis, after helping the Broncos to a 38-12 win over Canterbury in the inaugural NRL grand final.

In 2000, Webcke, played with a broken arm in the Broncos' 14-6 win over the Roosters in the grand final.

His farewell game was the 2006 grand final, when the Broncos upset hot favourites, Melbourne Storm 15-8.

Afterwards, the three times Dally M Prop of the Year, and veteran of 254 games for the Broncos, passed the forward leadership baton to co-prop and close mate, Petero Civoniceva.

Webcke, who twice won the Paul Morgan Medal as Broncos' Player of the Year, represented Australia in 25 Tests and played 21 times for Queensland, captaining the Maroons in Game I of the 2004 Series.

Prop Shane Webcke (is) an automatic selection in any team of any era.

Roy Masters Rugby league journalist

He was part of Australia's 2000 World Cup winning squad in the UK.

Webcke grew up at Leyburn, to the west of Warwick. When he was 18, Shane's father, Tom, a former Combined Services Rugby Union representative, was killed in a an accident on the family farm. Shane has used his direct experience of his father’s workplace fatality to take on a role as a safety ambassador.

After retiring from playing, he moved into coaching, in a part-time role with the Broncos' pack, as well as becoming a Broncos' corporate ambassador.

Farming and the hotel business also have occupied his time, but now, he is most likely to be seen in a suit and tie, presenting the nightly sports report on the Channel 7.