The Life Of Brian (Kelly)

[BOZO]

I don't think anyone wants to be a descent human being. The only way is down!

A decent human being on the hand is another story.

You know what I meant feathered friend

 

[yokahontas]

There you go feathered friend
There is hope for all , even us .
Why James Roberts is a changed man
Thu 27 Jul, 2017, 6:20pm
By Eden Richards‌, Queensland Correspondent‌‌, ‌‌‌NRL.com
@Eden_Richards

It may not have happened overnight, it may not have happened in the past month, but one thing is for sure, the Brisbane Broncos have played a big part in this new Roberts that was unveiled to the media on Thursday.

It had been almost 12 months since Roberts had been allowed to speak to media due to his welfare and the waiting group of journalists were not sure what to expect at the announcement of his new four-year deal with the club.

But when Roberts addressed the media this time, one thing was obvious – he was sincere.

Too often Roberts in the past had given three-word answers and shrugged off questions concerning anything from football to his personal life, but this time it was different.

Roberts is shy in his own right, but watching him make an honest effort to open up to the prying eyes of a media contingent that had been his harshest critic was impressive.

He was heartfelt and genuine, with his most emotional response coming when questioned about the turning point in his troubled career.
He mentioned Thailand – where he spent several weeks in a rehabilitation centre last September – and took a deep breath with his eyes welling up. This was the most emotion we had seen from the normally reclusive 'Jimmy the Jet'.

"I wanted to become a better father," he said, in reference to his 15-month old son.

Roberts spent much of his own childhood without a father of his own as his dad went in and out of jail, failing to take care of his young son.

It is a pain that still haunts Roberts, but during his time in Thailand it was something he realised he never wanted to be.

"I've learnt a lot in my career and I'm still learning. [The turning point] would have been my trip to Thailand," Roberts said.

"I had a few months to myself and I thought about myself. It made me realise a lot of things, particularly with my son there.

"There are more important things in my life now. There have been plenty of underlying issues but I've come a long way from where I was.

"I still have a lot of work to do. I'm just looking forward to the next couple of years. I want to become a better man and a better father."

Without a father figure in his life Roberts struggled to stay on the straight and narrow, turning to drugs and alcohol with these substances eventually disrupting his rugby league career.

Now he wants to make sure other young Indigenous children avoid the same fate, taking part in a number of the Broncos' Indigenous programs to become the idol he never had growing up.

"I've always loved doing the community work. Working with young Indigenous kids. That really gets me going because I used to be one of those kids," he said.

"To be able to have an idol come out and spend time with you gives you something to look forward to. It makes them happy."

Coach Wayne Bennett has seen first-hand the impact Roberts has had on these children, with the Brisbane speedster a cult figure among rugby league's youngest stars.

Kids want to be like him, and for Bennett that makes any gamble they took on Roberts all worth it.

"James is a wonderful player. I love the fact he just excites people when he gets the ball," Bennett said.

"Kids come here and they all want to meet with him and see him. They all call him 'Jimmy the Jet'. That's what footy is about to me. It's about those things. Football is poorer without a guy like James Roberts."

Sorry, but 6 or 7 months off the drugs and alcohol after years of issues doesn't convince me at all. He hasn't even managed an off-season off the gear at this point - and that will be a real test.

Lovely feel-good story and all, but I've grown up around enough alcoholics and drug abusers to know that old mate hasn't even started to prove he's reformed yet.

 

[yokahontas]

I don't think anyone wants to be a descent human being. The only way is down!

A decent human being on the hand is another story.

Beat me to it. That was a Freudian slip of epic proportions!

You goin' down boy, all the way down! Hell hounds on yo tail, boy!

 

[StuBoot]

What things did you do like we all have that we are not proud of ?
Would you like to share ?

I think @Turbo1's and @yokohontas point is ( correct me if I'm wrong ) is that the Bronc's are his fourth club in six years.
He's been cut by three others and there was always another club ready with a cheque book, the Bronco's were well aware of his
issues and took him on (and despite Bennett's golden touch with dropkick's) he still ended up in rehab which being in QLD the media didn't care about and despite the fact he'd just become a father.
Six or seven months down the track he is "rewarded" with a four year deal no doubt with plenty of rules in there.

Mate, that sounds like a resume for the NSW side, he'll be a shoe in next year.

Yes, most of us have done things we aren't proud of but he's still only 24 and knows if he stuffs up again - and there is plenty of time for that to happen - there'll still be clubs that will offer him a deal and we hope it's not Manly.

Redemption stories don't happen overnight or weeks or months, sometimes they take a lifetime and then some.

 

[BOZO]

I think @Turbo1's and @yokohontas point is ( correct me if I'm wrong ) is that the Bronc's are his fourth club in six years.
He's been cut by three others and there was always another club ready with a cheque book, the Bronco's were well aware of his
issues and took him on (and despite Bennett's golden touch with dropkick's) he still ended up in rehab which being in QLD the media didn't care about and despite the fact he'd just become a father.
Six or seven months down the track he is "rewarded" with a four year deal no doubt with plenty of rules in there.

Mate, that sounds like a resume for the NSW side, he'll be a shoe in next year.

Yes, most of us have done things we aren't proud of but he's still only 24 and knows if he stuffs up again - and there is plenty of time for that to happen - there'll still be clubs that will offer him a deal and we hope it's not Manly.

Redemption stories don't happen overnight or weeks or months, sometimes they take a lifetime and then some.

The Immortal was keen to get him to our club and the Immortal has been around the league scene long enough to know young players capabilities on and off the field .
Bennett is also an experienced coach who eventually secured the 4 year deal .
There is every chance that Jimmy the Jet will make the redemption story .
No one can guarantee that he wont

 

[mave]

Gee, for a guy that's never had the privilege of wearing the Maroon and White, and hopefully never will, Roberts sure does get a lot of air-time on Silvertails.

 

[yokahontas]

The Immortal was keen to get him to our club and the Immortal has been around the league scene long enough to know young players capabilities on and off the field .
Bennett is also an experienced coach who eventually secured the 4 year deal .
There is every chance that Jimmy the Jet will make the redemption story .
No one can guarantee that he wont

'The Immortal' is also mates with Ray Hadley. There's every chance you're giving him far too much credit on the 'character judgement' front...which isn't surprising, considering you give him far too much credit for pretty much everything else.

Football ability doesn't make you a good human, good judge of character, good businessman...good anything except for a footballer, basically. Stop with the jizz-fest - please?!

 

[BOZO]

'The Immortal' is also mates with Ray Hadley. There's every chance you're giving him far too much credit on the 'character judgement' front...which isn't surprising, considering you give him far too much credit for pretty much everything else.

Football ability doesn't make you a good human, good judge of character, good businessman...good anything except for a footballer, basically. Stop with the jizz-fest - please?!

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

'The Immortal' is also mates with Ray Hadley. There's every chance you're giving him far too much credit on the 'character judgement' front...which isn't surprising, considering you give him far too much credit for pretty much everything else.

Football ability doesn't make you a good human, good judge of character, good businessman...good anything except for a footballer, basically. Stop with the jizz-fest - please?!

And on good terms with Gloria.

'nuff said.

 

[yokahontas]

View attachment 6087

Yeah, we heard. We understood. You should...I dunno...get a room or something (or maybe The Immortal needs to get a restraining order...?)

 

[The Who]

Yeah, we heard. We understood. You should...I dunno...get a room or something (or maybe The Immortal needs to get a restraining order...?)

Mark Chapman was a devoted fan of John Lennon, don't forget!

 

[cherry_poppins]

I'm not a fan of Kelly but I'd rather him than human garbage

 

[mickqld]

How did a thread about Brian Kelly turn into a critique on Roberts.

 

[BOZO]

How did a thread about Brian Kelly turn into a critique on Roberts.

It is amazing how threads evolve

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

How did a thread about Brian Kelly turn into a critique on Roberts.

Let's talk about Fergo or Duges instead.

 

[TokyoEagle]

Let's talk about Fergo or Duges instead.

That might be considered devolving

 

[mave]

Well after watching Captain Coke tonight vs the Eels, I can confirm that he runs really, really fast.

He also loves to give piggyback penalties away, and would struggle to get the upper hand against a tackling bag.

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

Well after watching Captain Coke tonight vs the Eels, I can confirm that he runs really, really fast.

He also loves to give piggyback penalties away, and would struggle to get the upper hand against a tackling bag.

No wonder Wayne thinks NSW should select this Roberts lad.

 

[double hoops]

Parker 4 centre.

 

[The Eagle Eye]

Interesting...