Steve Renouf

Known as ‘The Pearl’, Steve Renouf was a rare talent, thrilling fans with his skill, speed and grace. Sporting trademark headgear, Renouf was a thorn in the side of opposing teams, whether playing for Broncos, Queensland or Australia.

A Murgon Mustangs product, he was lured to Brisbane by Wayne Bennett at the end of the 1987 season, in which he played first grade for Wondai. The Queensland Schoolboys representative started his Brisbane adventure with Souths Magpies Colts, under the eye of Broncos' coaching co-ordinator, Bill Gardner.

To run out at the old Lang Park behind Wally Lewis and Mal Meninga, was just amazing.

Steve Renouf FOG #71

Renouf made his first grade debut the following year, and then in 1991 was selected for Queensland. He went on to play 11 matches in Maroon, his last appearance, the 1998 decider, which Queensland won. Renouf won premierships with the Broncos in 1992, 1993, 1997 and 1998, scoring three tries in the Super League decider against Cronulla, in Brisbane, in 1997. But he is best remembered for the 95-metre try he scored in the Broncos' inaugural grand final win over St George, in Sydney, in 1992.

Renouf made his debut for Australia in the World Cup final held at the end of the '92 season, scoring the match winning try at London's Wembley Stadium, the first of 11 tries in the green-and-gold, in 10 Tests. He also played a Super League Test, in 1997.

After 12 seasons with the Broncos, Renouf played two seasons with English club, Wigan reaching the Super League grand final in both campaigns, only to be on the losing sides, first against St Helens, and then against Bradford.

In 2004, he made a low key comeback with Samford Stags in Brisbane's Second Division, before stepping up to play for Easts in the Queensland Cup, helping the Tigers to the grand final, where they were beaten in extra time by Burleigh Bears.

In 2009, Renouf was named alongside Greg Inglis as a centre in the Indigenous Team of the Century.

Five times Renouf scored four tries in a match for the Broncos, and with Darren Smith holds the record for most tries in a season for the club - 23. He remains the club's leading try scorer with 142, 20 more than Darren Lockyer.  Renouf travels the state as a Deadly Choices Ambassador.