Bromwich leaves lasting legacy at Dolphins
Jesse Bromwich will forever be a special part of Dolphins NRL history, leaving a legacy that runs deeper than simply being the club’s first captain.
His lead-from-the-front style and work ethic has earnt him the respect of teammates, the game’s Super Coach and the Dolphins hierarchy who are keen to continue his association with the club.
The 35-year-old has retired, after 338 games in the NRL and 43 as the Dolphins’ inaugural captain.
He played at the top level for 14 years, 12 with the Melbourne Storm before helped Redcliffe take its place in the NRL. During the past 14 years, he has made 8417 tackles and clocked up a total of 39,425 running metres. His tackle efficiency has been above 91 per cent every season.
A highlight of his career, which has included premiership glory and playing for his country, has been to enjoy some of the big moments, playing alongside his brother Kenny.
It was Kenny who urged Jesse, then 19, to join him at training when he was in town on holiday.
“I came down and he told me to put some boots on and come and train. I said, ‘nah, nah, no chance’. Then Brad Arthur came over to me, he was the coach of the (Melbourne Storm) 20s at the time, and he asked me if I wanted to have a run. I said, ‘Yeah, sweet’,” Bromwich recalled ahead of his 300th game last season.
He trained that day and was asked to play that weekend. It was the last round of the season, but Bromwich put in a good preseason and made the under-20s side the following season.
In 2010, he made his NRL debut.
“I’m just super grateful I turned up at the right place at the right time. I know a lot of kids out there with talent don’t that opportunity,” he said.
“Don’t get me wrong, it was always a dream of mine to play in the NRL but when you’re 17 or 18 and you haven’t had a look-in … all your mates have been picked up and you haven’t had anything, it starts to dawn on you that it might not be for you. When I did get the opportunity, it was one that I really took.”
Bromwich’s vast contribution to the game since then was celebrated at the 2024 Dolphins Presentation Ball on September 19 in front of 600 guests. Kenny led a moving Haka to honour his brother.
“I feel very grateful and very lucky to have had the career I have had. I was lucky enough to have been coached by Craig Bellamy and then Wayne Bennett,” he said.
“When I look back on the things that I enjoy the most ... the opportunity to play with my brother. When he debuted, I played, and he’s played 250 games and I played in the majority of those. We’ve been lucky enough to have had families over that time and shared that experience with all of them as well. I look forward to the next part.”
The next chapter involves completing a carpentry apprenticeship he started many years ago, when he was in Melbourne, and has continued since arriving in Redcliffe.
Bromwich has also accepted a ‘corporate’ gig at the Dolphins, working on game days.
At the presentation ball, Dolphins Chairman Bob Jones even invited him to consider a run in the Queensland Cup, just as club legend Petero Civoniceva did after he retired from the NRL. There's no word on that offer yet.
Tributes for Bromwich
Head Coach Wayne Bennett:
“I never had any doubt the day I first saw him that he’d be captain of the club. He grew as a captain as well. He was on his last season with us this year and I thought he played his best football I’d seen him play in the last three or four years.”
Chairman Bob Jones:
“Skipper, a bond was formed the first day we met. Your leadership, driving of our culture and general play were fantastic. I’m going to miss you, big fella. Enjoy your retirement and have a think about a year in the QCup next year ... Petero did it.”
Dolphins NRL CEO Terry Reader:
“We do owe you a lot. You were one of our first signings – you didn’t care who was halfback, you didn’t care who was five-eighth ... you wanted to be part of laying those foundations and we’ll be indebted to you forever Dolphin #8.