New Broncos halfback Brodie Croft will be given the latitude to play full-field football as he aims to put his stamp on one of rugby league’s most prestigious No.7 jumpers.

Croft, 22, has been handed the keys to one of the NRL’s most exciting rosters — the Brisbane Broncos.

League fans will get their first glimpse at how he’s adjusted to life at Red Hill when Croft makes his debut for the Broncos in the Perth Nines on Friday and Saturday.

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Round 19

Brodie Croft in action during Brisbane Broncos training. Source: AAP

As much as his departure from the Melbourne Storm was a hard card to get a read on, Croft now has the opportunity to make a name for himself wearing the Brisbane halfback jumper made famous by champion No.7 Allan Langer.

After debuting for the Storm aged 18 and featuring in the 2018 grand final, Croft was dropped after 22 NRL matches last season leading into the NRL finals.

“It was tough, I won’t lie. It was a tough one to cop on the chin. It is what it is,” Croft said.

“But I’m certainly looking forward to the 2020 season and playing for the Brisbane Broncos

“Looking back ... it was a tough one to cop.”

Whatever the reasoning, four years of football education under Craig Bellamy, Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater means Croft has had one hell of a schooling.

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Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold is clearly an unabashed Croft fan and has told his new No.7 to come in and take control of the Broncos.

Whereas last year the Broncos experimented with a variety of halves before settling on the unlikely pairing of Jake Turpin and Darius Boyd, this season it will be Croft running the show and Anthony Milford running the football.

“It’s pretty surreal. I’ve come from the Storm where the No.7 was a very prestigious jumper,” Croft said.

“Now to come to the Broncos where it’s such a rich history club with so many high calibre players.

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“And the No.7 jersey is certainly put on a pedestal. It’s a big challenge but I’m excited about the challenge and leaving my mark on the jersey.

“The faith that Seibs has instilled in me has given me a lot of confidence.

“The plan is to play on the ball and push the team around the park both sides of the field.

“As a halfback you want to have that dominant role and try and open up your players like Milford and Isaako.

“The Broncos have plenty of players with x-factor and it’s my job to try and get them opportunities.”

The Broncos have shown just how highly they value Croft by elevating the new recruit straight into the club’s leadership group.

With Brisbane currently in the midst of the club’s longest premiership drought dating back to 2006, can Brodie Croft be the halfback who guides them back towards the promised land?

We’re about to find out.

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