Boyd perfect fit as Broncos skipper: Carne

Darius Boyd has been named the Ron McAuliffe Medal winner as Queensland’s State of Origin player of the year.

And Brisbane great Willie Carne believes Boyd should also receive another honour – the Broncos’ captaincy.

Boyd, 29, was a revelation when he stepped up in the Maroons’ No.1 jersey for the first time in 2016 in the absence of injured Billy Slater.

He received the prestigious medal after Corey Parker was awarded the Maroons’ honour last year.

Carne believes Boyd should also take over from Parker as Brisbane skipper.

Boyd has been shortlisted by Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett for the captaincy along with ex-skipper Sam Thaiday and hooker Andrew McCullough following Parker’s 2016 retirement.

“I think he is the perfect fit as captain,” Carne told AAP.

“Broncos captains have always been players who have led by example and that is what Darius does.

“He might come across as a quietly spoken bloke at the best of times.

“But he has a heap of experience and gets out there and does it.

“It would be a good call.”

Boyd is favourite for the Brisbane captaincy which is set to be unveiled in January by Bennett.

It would cap a remarkable turnaround for the once-troubled NRL star.

Boyd quit Newcastle in 2014 and was treated for depression before being sidelined with a torn achilles on his return to the Broncos in 2015.

Now healthy on and off the field, Boyd has returned to his career-best form of 2010 when he was Dally M fullback of the year and a premiership-winning Clive Churchill Medallist.

Boyd, named Brisbane’s best and fairest this season, has been shortlisted for the Golden Boot Award as the world’s best rugby league player.

Boyd was passed over for the Brisbane captaincy 12 months ago after claiming he “wasn’t ready”.

Boyd was also fearful that being named captain would prompt speculation he received preferential treatment from Bennett, the coach under whom he had played his entire career.

But Carne said Boyd’s captaincy claims were now undeniable.

“He has had an amazing year,” Carne said.

“Sure, Wayne (Bennett) can do whatever he wants as coach and Boyd has played under Wayne his whole career.

“But I don’t think Wayne has ever favoured him over anyone else at his clubs.

“The fact is, the kid can play.

“And he has learned a lot in the past year about himself.

“I think he is ready.”

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