Ashton Sims has been named in the Broncos' starting 13 for the first time since May. Photo / Getty Images
Forward Ashton Sims' determination to rebuild his career has been rewarded with his selection in Brisbane's starting pack against St George in Saturday's knockout NRL semifinal at Suncorp Stadium.
While Sims started last weekend against the Gold Coast after being named on the bench, he has not been selected in
Brisbane's top 13 since round eight back in May.
Saturday night's game is the anniversary of Brisbane's last-minute loss to Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium.
It is a match Sims would prefer to forget but one which has driven him to regain his second-row spot for this year's corresponding semifinal.
Storm forward Sika Manu came up with one of the hits of the year to dislodge the ball from Sims' grasp and into the waiting hands of Greg Inglis, who scored with 40 seconds left to bury Brisbane's season.
Sims was overlooked for Brisbane's season opener against the Cowboys and it was clear from an early stage he faced some mental demons.
"It's a real credit to him, because he was struggling there at different times," said Brisbane coach Ivan Henjak.
"He's always kept a really good attitude and worked really hard and I'm really pleased things have turned around for him and he's playing a very good role for us at the moment."
Henjak brushed aside Brisbane's record of losing their past six finals at home as well as the Dragons' 8-1 record over the Broncos in recent years.
"The side that is playing this week for us wasn't involved in a lot of the stuff in previous years, especially in semifinals," he said.
Brisbane broke an 8-0 losing run against the Dragons when they beat the minor premiers 12-2 at WIN Stadium last month, which Henjak said had done wonders for his players' psyche.
"We have to match their discipline and their patience, and we have the strike players to do the job."
- AAP
