Petero Civoniceva will dedicate his 300th NRL game to his wife Bonnie who he says has endured every minute of his record-breaking career worrying that he would get hurt.
Civoniceva’s wife, their four children and his parents will be among the thousands of fans at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night when the 36-year-old joins 16 other players in rugby league’s 300-game club.
He told AAP on Wednesday his wife and family would be in the back of his mind when he took the field against South Sydney for his milestone game, which he would be better able to reflect on when he retired at the end of the season.
“I was sitting with my wife (Bonnie) last night talking about it and thinking about all the games of football she has had to endure,” said Civoniceva.
“She’s someone who doesn’t watch football easily because she’s always nervous about me getting through each game unscathed.
“She’s had to worry through a lot of football over the years.
“She’ll definitely be in the back of my mind when I run out on Friday night.”
Civoniceva’s 200th NRL game for Brisbane was also against South Sydney.
“I’ve got the 200 game jersey hanging up in the house from 2007,” he said.
“When I walked out the door this morning (to attend Wednesday’s press conference) I stopped and had a good look at it, it’s definitely something to be very proud of.”
Civoniceva said his family life was “everything” to him.
“They’re what keeps me grounded,” he smiled.
“It’s easy to get caught up with the all the hype that goes with playing top grade rugby league but I go home from training or a game and be normal old dad.”
He said he had no trouble switching from aggressive forward to soft father once the full-time siren sounded.
“It comes easy to me, that’s my nature,” he said.
“I know my responsibility and my role here in football is as a front-rower to be the forward leader but when I get home, off the field, everyone knows the type of person I am.”
When Civoniceva first arrived at the Broncos from Redcliffe, he was a raw young centre.
“I remember being a nervous wreck for my first session and walking into the gym and Andrew Gee, Shane Webcke and Peter Ryan were working out and they took me under their wing,” he said.
While his Colts teammate Darren Lockyer went from Colts to reserve grade for one game and then straight into Wayne Bennett’s top side, Civoniceva spent a few more seasons making the change into the forwards before his debut in 1998.
“I was hopeful of a career in the backline but obviously Wayne (Bennett) saw I had no speed or much talent to be out there so I was destined for a career in the front row.
“I was brought to earth quickly and I’m glad I made the move to the forwards.”