LONDON BRONCOS coach Jason Demetriou says loyal trio Will Lovell, Alex Walker and Lewis Bienek have played key roles in creating the squad unity which has helped the capital club make its mark this year.
The Broncos have, of course, been bolstered by a string of high-profile signings made in the wake of the takeover by Australian pair Darren Lockyer and Grant Wechsel.
Demetriou was also recruited to succeed Mike Eccles, who became director of rugby.
And the Australian’s charges, many of whom are full-time, won the 1895 Cup and went into the play-offs having claimed the Championship Leaders’ Shield.
It’s a stark contrast to last season, when London languished in the lower reaches of the old-style second tier after former owner David Hughes withdrew his financial backing and put the club up for sale in the wake of the loss of Super League status under the grading system.
Lovell featured 25 times in the second row, Walker in 26 games as fullback or stand-off and Bienek on 20 occasions as a prop.
The three all remained at the club on part-time deals, and both Lovell and Walker have joined Australian forward Steele Retchless in topping 200 appearances for the Broncos, formed initially in 1980 as Fulham.
“The players who stayed from last year have been great,” said Demetriou.
“Playing-wise, it was difficult for them at the start of the year because they weren’t often making the team, there weren’t many reserve matches and they were only training with the group once a week if at all.
“But as they have got more game time, the connections have built, and they have become central to the group and the culture. They have a lot of respect in that dressing room.”