Kobe Hetherington (born 11 March 1999) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a lock for the Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League (NRL).

Kobe Hetherington
Personal information
Born (1999-03-11) 11 March 1999 (age 25)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Weight95 kg (14 st 13 lb)
Playing information
PositionLock, Second-row
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2021– Brisbane Broncos 78 4 0 0 16
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2024 Prime Minister's XIII 1 0 0 0 0
Source: [1]
As of 13 October 2024
FatherJason Hetherington

Background

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Hetherington was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and was raised in Rockhampton, Queensland. His father Jason is a former Australian international and Queensland representative.[2]

He played his junior rugby league for the Rockhampton Brothers, Calliope Roosters and Gladstone Brothers.[3]

Hetherington attended The Cathedral College before being signed by the Brisbane Broncos.[4]

Playing career

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Early career

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In 2015, Hetherington played for the Central Queensland Capras in the Cyril Connell Cup before moving up to their Mal Meninga Cup side in 2016.[5][6] In 2017, he moved to Brisbane, playing for the Norths Devils in the Mal Meninga Cup and the Broncos in the NRL Under-20s competition.[7]

In 2018 and 2019, he played for the Devils' Hastings Deering Colts side, captaining them in their 2018 Grand Final win over the Townsville Blackhawks.[8] On 10 July 2019, he represented the Queensland under-20 team.[9]

In 2020, Hetherington joined the Broncos' NRL squad on a development contract.[10]

2021

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Hetherington began the 2021 season playing for the Souths Logan Magpies in the Queensland Cup.[11] In Round 11 of the 2021 NRL season, Hetherington made his first grade debut for Brisbane against the Sydney Roosters in a 34-16 win. With only two first grade games, Hetherington scored his first try in the NRL against Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium. [12] In round 14, Hetherington was controversially sent off in Brisbane's 38-16 loss against the Canberra Raiders, Hetherington was later cleared and wasn't suspended from the incident.[13] In Round 16, Hetherington started his first NRL game at lock against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in a 26-18 win. On the 7 July, Hetherington re-signed for two years remaining at the Brisbane Broncos till the end of 2023. Hetherington was awarded Rookie of the Year for the 2021 season at the Brisbane end of season awards.

2022

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Hetherington made a total of 22 appearances for Brisbane in the 2022 NRL season as the club finished 9th on the table and missed the finals. Only missed two games due to testing positive for Covid in Round 1, and failing HIA protocols missing Round 25. [14]

2023

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Hetherington played 19 games for Brisbane in the 2023 NRL season. Hetherington played in Brisbane's 26-24 loss against Penrith in the 2023 NRL Grand Final.[15]

2024

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Hetherington played 23 matches for Brisbane in the 2024 NRL season which saw the club miss the finals finishing 12th on the table.[16]

References

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  1. ^ Rugby League Project
  2. ^ "Hetherington: 'Dirt Roads' Helped Me To NRL Debut". Brisbane Broncos. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  3. ^ "Rocky young gun following in dad's Maroon footsteps". The Daily Telegraph. 10 July 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Son of a gun ready for NRL debut". The Morning Bulletin. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  5. ^ "Cyril Connell Cup 2015". 18th Man. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  6. ^ "2016 Mal Meninga Cup round 1". League Unlimited. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Holden Cup Under 20's NYC - 2017 Round 9". League Unlimited. 25 April 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  8. ^ "Post-match: Kobe Hetherington Norths Devils Colts". QRL. 25 September 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  9. ^ "Queensland Under 20 team announced for 2019". QRL. 30 June 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  10. ^ "Broncos top 30 roster for 2020 confirmed". Brisbane Broncos. 3 March 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  11. ^ "Broncos Affiliates Wrap: Bullemor Strong As Devils & Seagulls Go Top". Brisbane Broncps. 12 April 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  12. ^ "Team List Round 11: Two Broncos Debutants Among Four Changes". Brisbane Broncos. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  13. ^ "Brisbane Broncos' Kobe Hetherington sent off in loss to Canberra Raiders; Roosters and Rabbitohs score wins". www.abc.net.au.
  14. ^ "NRL 2022: Brisbane Broncos season review". www.sportingnews.com.
  15. ^ "NRL grand final 2023: Penrith Panthers defeat Brisbane Broncos – as it happened". www.theguardian.com.
  16. ^ "'Really can't hide': Queensland superstars back under-siege Walters amid Broncos review". www.foxsports.com.au.
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