Broncos to honour scout-master Connell

Broncos star Karmichael Hunt (left) congratulates recruitment guru Cyril Connell at the opening of the Cyril Connell Performance Centre in 2007.

Wayne Haming

BRISBANE will play NRL ladder leaders St George Illawarra at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday wearing commemorative jumpers to honour of the club's master player scout Cyril Connell who died last year.

In a fitting tribute, Connell's greatest discovery Darren Lockyer, will lead the Broncos out in a navy blue and white jumper.

The clash with former coach Wayne Bennett's side is expected to draw a crowd of more than 40,000.

Connell, who drove to every corner of Queensland in search of young players to bring to the Broncos, passed away aged 81.

Born in Rockhampton, he played 24 games for Queensland in the 1950s and two Tests for Australia.

A number of Connell's last crop of youngsters, including Andrew McCullough and Ben Hunt, will face the Dragons and his wife Carmel will be presented with a special jumper in her husband's memory.

"It's a wonderful way to pay a tribute to a rugby league stalwart, not only for the Brisbane Broncos, but for Queensland," said Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen.

"His contribution to the Broncos' long-term success is immeasurable and will never be forgotten.

Bennett, one of Connell's closest friends, often marvelled at the lengths the former schoolteacher would go to bring young talent to the club and how important those young players were to him.

Delivering his eulogy at Brisbane's St Catherine's Church, Bennett told 500 mourners he loved and admired Connell's humility, patience and remarkable kindness.