Buderus the first Knight
August 26th 2008 08:50
Buderus will never be forgotten to NRL faithful
From Taree United to the Leeds Rhinos in England, Danny Buderus was always a man that led from the front. It is little wonder why he has become so emotional as he prepares to leave the many teammates he guided through thick and thin.
What makes Buderus such an inspiration is his ability to admit a career which has forged 222 first grade games for the Newcastle Knights is over - All this due to a season ending Biceps injury suffered in last week's victory over the Nth Qld Cowboys.
A bittersweet end for one of the NRL's most decorated players.
As he shed the tears that came with leaving a club filled with greatness and history, Buderus left everything out in the open. He alone stamped his authority on all the Newcastle faithful as they too were made to feel the agony of losing one of their club' most influential players and role models.
It is his sincere, easy going nature off the field that greatly enhanced his stature as one of the most popular and respected players in the 100 years of Rugby League in this country.
The tough-tackling and strong running Buderus has a list of on-field achievements as long as his arm. Rugby League's greatest halfback Andrew Johns said he has seen no braver footballer.
Many would agree.
Buderus' achievements in the NRL would rival any of League's 100 greatest players. He is a figure of strength and passion, considering the injuries he had to carry for the past three years of his Australian career.
Buderus originally started out as a halfback/five-eighth and eventually became a hooker of the grandest scale.
In 1995, Buderus was signed by the Knights and later played with the Australian schoolboys team. Despite attending Newcastle's Premiership victory ticker tape parade in 1997, Buderus officially made his debut for the Novocastrians one year later against the New Zealand Warriors.
From then on, Buderus would go on to experience the most unlikely of Premiership glories when his Knights defeated the highly fancied and record breaking Parramatta Eels side in the 2001 Grand Final.
In the same year, 'Bedsy' received his first test jersey, becoming one of the few players to play for Australia before playing Origin football.
Now an established superstar of the game, Buderus would venture into further glory, leading NSW to Origin series victories in 2004 and 05, despite playing with a toe ligament injury for the majority of the season.
His finest individual moment came in 2004 when he edged out close rival Brett Finch for the Dally M player of the year award despite the Knights not making the finals.
With all the above achievements, It is little wonder why Buderus is the man many consider to have revolutionised the hooking position dominated by Kevin Walters and co.
Indeed, that is what comes when you play 21 consecutive games for NSW (15 as captain) and 24 tests for Australia
Call him resilient, relentless, loyal, courageous or consistent - Buderus' career in Australian rugby league will never echo as loud as the day he realised it was all over.
While rugby league here will morn, Leeds will no doubt anticipate further glory with a man of Buderus’ calibre in their line-up.
Best believe it will take more than a Bicep injury to slow down one of the finest leaders seen in NRL circles.
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