Petero Civoniceva says getting to play his 300th NRL game in a Brisbane jumper is something very special.
Achieved by only 16 other players, the Fijian-born 36-year-old will chalk up the rare 300-game milestone against South Sydney at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
His wife, Bonnie, their four children and his parents will all be there to enjoy the night.
“There were periods there when I thought it would happen in a Penrith jersey,” admitted the 45-Test warrior who headed south to the Panthers at the end of 2007 when squeezed out of the Broncos by salary cap pressures.
However, he jumped at the opportunity to return this season and have the chance to end his career where it all started in 1998.
“Once we knew we were coming home, it was definitely something I thought about, hopefully getting that opportunity to reach my 300th game in a Broncos jersey,” Civoniceva told AAP.
Civoniceva played his 200th game for Brisbane, also against South Sydney.
He was trying to keep his focus on performing well for his team in Friday night’s game but said the new milestone would mean a lot when he reflected on his career.
“I’ve got the 200-game jersey hanging up in the house and that was against South Sydney in 2007,” he said.
“It’s definitely something to be proud of.”
Civoniceva was typically humble on Wednesday about a career that includes 299 NRL games (225 for Brisbane and 74 for Penrith) 45 Tests and 32 State of Origins – both record representative marks for a forward.
He said making his debut for Brisbane against North Sydney at ANZ Stadium in 1998 still remained a high point of his career.
“It was such a long process just to get there,” he recalled.
“I had to climb the ladder and keep proving to myself I was worthy of being a part of (the) first grade squad.
“After three years in the lower grades, I finally achieved it and to run out at the old ANZ Stadium alongside guys like Alfie (Allan Langer) and guys who were my heroes growing up, to get that chance against the North Sydney Bears.
“It was a great debut and a game I’ll never forget.”
Brisbane chief executive Paul White said the club wanted Civoniceva to stay around after he hung up his boots.
“Petero is a favourite son of our club and he has a massive presence on and off the field,” said White.
“The esteem he is held in within the Queensland community make him a natural choice to do some more work for our club and we’d want that to continue.”