Off the Wall

Darryl Brohman is one of the most unlikely success stories in rugby league, given his league pedigree and results.

He is a proud Queenslander, he played just two Origin games for Queensland, and while he had a reasonable career in Sydney with the Penrith Panthers and the Canterbury Bulldogs, he never played for Australia, and won't make the "best ever " sides from either club. Prior to moving to Sydney he had a successful career in the then BRL premiership, making his first grade debut for the Norths Devils while still at high school.

He had almost a cult following when, while still at Wavell High, he was cutting a swathe through opponents in the then very strong BRL premiership...and even then he was, shall we say, a heavy unit!

It is therefore quite remarkable the success he has enjoyed in his extraordinary post-football career - success in one of the most difficult and demanding markets of all - the Sydney media sports marketplace. And despite the humour side which he predominates with great success, he is also an excellent reader of the game...

He is an integral part of Ray Hadley's "Continuous Call" team on 2GB...which continues to trounce its rivals Saturdays and Sundays; he has a spot on Nine's "Today" show, and on the "Footy Show"; and he is in demand as a speaker at league and other sporting functions across Sydney, elsewhere in NSW and Queensland.

This week Darryl faces a hurdle greater than any he faced during his rugby league career.

On Wednesday he undergoes surgery for prostate cancer, and, in typical Brohman fashion he has been very upfront about it, using his high media profile to encourage men to have the prostate test.

What is not widely know about Darryl is that he is most generous is his work for good causes - and that includes assisting members of the rugby league family who face serious illness or are in other forms of distress.

He is heavily in demand as a guest speaker and MC - and for a worthy cause he gives his services free or for a moderate fee only. He gives generously and deserves to be widely recognised for doing so.

His importance to the "Continuous Call" team should not be underestimated. If you listen in then you will find that something like three out of four calls are for him...not bad when you consider that the other panel members are Ray Hadley, Bob Futon and Steven "Blocker" Roach!

His best quality in my views is his capacity to have a laugh at how own expense - and what a rare commodity that is among high profile people today?

Big Marn, the whole rugby league community wishes you a successful operation, and a speedy and complete recovery!