From Neighbourhood Kindness to Grand Final Glory
Kotoni Staggs, the Brisbane Broncos centre, has long spoken about the power of generosity. But it wasn’t headlines or trophies that first showcased his heart. It began when he and his fiancée Britt moved into a quiet Brisbane street in 2023, and tragedy struck next door. David Orange, a healthy 38-year-old local business owner, died suddenly, leaving behind his wife Kerry and their seven-month-old daughter, Eylea. In that moment of heartbreak, Staggs chose to act as a steadfast neighbour and friend, proving that good deeds can outlast even the fiercest on-field battles.
The Acts That Made a Difference
Staggs adopted a daily rhythm of quiet generosity: buying groceries, driving Kerry to appointments, and babysitting little Eylea. He describes these gestures as basic human decency, not grand philanthropy. “When somebody needs help and I’m around, I’ll do it straight away,” he said after Brisbane’s 26-22 Grand Final victory over Melbourne. “I’ll go through struggles sometimes but someone else is always going through a bigger struggle than what I am. If I can be there for them and put a smile on their face, that’s what I’ll do. I’ll take my shirt off and give it to them. If I had my last hundred dollars, I’d do the same thing. I’m a giver.”
Kerry Orange, initially unaware of Staggs’ football fame, recalls a neighbour who stepped into their lives without fanfare. Through his generosity, she describes Staggs as more than a neighbour—someone who became family in the wake of grief. “Without being asked, he stepped into our lives like an uncle to Eylea, offering support in the gentlest, most selfless ways,” she said. The family speaks of rekindled peace, comfort, and moments of joy that felt almost like a miracle in the darkest days.
Why Giving Comes Naturally to Staggs
Staggs credits his late grandmother, Dawn, for shaping his sense of duty to others. Raised in Wellington, New South Wales, he says he didn’t always have a straightforward path to adulthood, and his grandmother was his rock. He keeps her memory close—wearing her name on his wrist tape and keeping a photo on his bedside table—as a daily reminder of where his compassion began. “Without my grandmother, I don’t think I’d be walking around here right now,” he said. “She was my everything and she made sure we had food, we had everything on the table. She did what she did and I turned out to be an all right kid.”
That foundation of kindness, grounded in family and community, appears to extend beyond personal life into Staggs’ professional career. The center’s first Grand Final win with the Broncos since 2006 arrived on the same weekend the community rippled with his generosity, and soon after, selectors named him to Kevin Walters’ Kangaroos squad for the Ashes tour. Staggs frames success as a consequence of giving: “I love giving back to people and I love helping out people. At the end of the day, when you do good things, good things come in return. This (grand final win) is what happens.”
Impact Beyond the Ribbon
Staggs’ story isn’t merely a human-interest piece; it’s a reminder of sport’s larger purpose. In a world where headlines often spotlight conflict or controversy, his neighbourly deeds illustrate how athletes can model citizenship and resilience. Kerry Orange says the relationship has transformed their outlook on life, turning fear into gratitude and grief into a well of strength they can draw from daily. And for many fans, the message is clear: success on the field can be amplified by compassion off it.
A Message for Fans and Families
Staggs’ journey—from a young player away from home to a grand final winner and a trusted neighbour—serves as an invitation to support those who are quietly carrying heavy loads. His actions show that generosity isn’t a sideline act; it’s a vital part of living a meaningful life. For Kerry and Eylea, the gift of companionship and care has offered not just help, but hope. As Staggs continues his career with the Broncos and the Kangaroos, the community will watch closely to see how his kindness continues to shape both his legacy and the lives it touches.
