Danny Buderus Birthday: 6 February, 1978 Birth Place: Taree Height: 182cm,  Weight: 90kg Marital Status: Single  Preferred Position: Hooker Previous Clubs: Taree United Year Joined Knights: '95 Country Hooker NSW Hooker, NSW Captain Australian Hooker Dally M Hooker '03, 04  Dally M player of Year

Joined Newcastle from Taree 1994. 
Australian Schoolboy representative 1995 (from St Francis Xavier's College). 
Played in every position except second row and front row in 1998. 64 FG games.
Danny Buderus joined four Knights players in Australia's World Cup train-on squad 2000.

Buderus paid tribute to her influence on the eve of the biggest match of his life so far. "When I look back on it, all I ever wanted to do was play for Australia, and mum was always supportive of me," Buderus said. "She loved the idea of me playing football. Dad [Gus] worked a lot, but he got to every game that he could. "But it was great having her on my side." Buderus was only 16 when he moved out of home to take up a scholarship with the Knights. His story is not unlike that of many other kids from the bush offered the chance to make it in the big time with an NRL club. Except he never seemed to have any problems adapting to life in Newcastle, being chosen in the same 1995 Australian Schoolboys side as Test teammates, Trent Barrett and Matthew Gidley. Back then he was a halfback, although he quickly realised there was no future feeding scrums at the Knights. "At the time, Brett Kimmorley was understudy to Andrew Johns, "I was just playing there in SG Ball and then when I went to Presidents Cup, I played centre and shifted around a few positions, just trying to find a spot, before Mal Reilly moved me to hooker." 
Danny Buderus credits his rise as Australian hooker to the coaching of Malcolm Reilly, Warren Ryan, Michael Hagan - and his mum, Chris. While it was Reilly who decided to switch him to the hooking role at Newcastle just four seasons ago, Chris Buderus is responsible for teaching her son the basics of the game. With elder brother Brock, Buderus began his career at Taree's Chatham Cundle club in an under-eights side coached by their mother. 
Johns, of course, is the reason Buderus got his surprise call-up to play the Kiwis. Australian coach Chris Anderson made no secret of the fact that he wanted the Newcastle skipper at hooker and Kimmorley as halfback. When the selectors refused to budge on Johns for the No7 jersey, it's understood that Anderson demanded to pick the hooker, and Buderus was his choice, despite having been overlooked for State of Origin. But the likes of Steve Walters, who played at Newcastle in 1998, and Nathan Brown - assistant coach in the Country Origin side Buderus played in last month - also played a role. "The Country experience was really good and Brownie taught me heaps about ball-playing out of dummy-half," he said. 
"Steve Walters was just unreal, he used to go down to training an hour early just to give me a bit of practice with how to get out of dummy-half. I still ring him up every now and again." 
Buderus is busy out of dummy half and a tireless worker in defence.  Buderus keeps the Knights rolling forward.  The only Knights player to miss the final cut in the World Cup train on squad, the recognition that he is not too far away from representative selection.  Malcolm Reilly, under whom Newcastle won their only premiership, in 1997, turned Buderus from a five-eighth into a hooker.  It was realised he was never going to budge Andrew Johns out of Newcastle's No.7 jersey.  Buderus has been working on opening up his game and asking more questions of the defence from hooker.  Buderus is using the ball more and adding angled runs from dummy half and to draw some of the defence in while looking to pass to players in the open.
 

A misspelt boarding pass is responsible for Danny Buderus' nickname of `Bedsy' among his Newcastle Knights  team-mates. Buderus was spelled Bederus, which became Beds-R-Us, and abbreviated back to `Bedsy', the way footballers  usually do in pursuit of etymological economy.

Happy young hooker - big League '97.
Champion halfback Andrew Johns has no doubt the shy kid from Taree, Danny Buderus is representative hooker material. Buderus, a converted halfback/five eight, is the most improved footballer in the NRL, during the past 12 months and has had a brilliant start tot he season, if somewhat overlooked.
With Canberra's Simon Woolford and current test rack Craig Gower, he signals a new wave of dashing hookers in the game who have dominated the first two rounds. Buderus was the Knights best in their opening round loss to the Eagles and was with Johns and fullback Adam MacDougall the best on the field against Melbourne. It has been rapid, if unnatural progression for the 22 year old who made his debut in 1997 as a stop gap fullback and was only thurst permantly into the hot spot after Steve Walters retirement due to injury midway through last season.
Buderus spends a lot of time being tutored on footwork, passing and reading the game in private sessions with Andrew and Matthew Johns and the lessons are paying off. "He's a representative player for sure." said Johns. "I think he'll keep Craig Gower honest. He's got everything, he's a former half so he's got all the skills and he's a good defender with a bit of mongrel in him. He rolls the sleeves up and can really whack in defence. I think he's not far behind the best hookers in the game and he's certainly one of the most improved players in the past 12 months."
Thereare few weaknesses in Buderus' game. He is tough in defence, able to hit with surprising power a al Andrew Johns, picks well when to run from acting half and his support play is first class. Along with Nathan Brown, Buderus is one of the few hookers who now spend almost all the 80 minutes on the field.

Half chances rare  7 May 1998,  Newcastle Herald
Danny Buderus, the Taree junior currently playing understudy to the Australian and likely NSW halfback. Having made his first-grade debut off the bench last year in Newcastle's 44-0 thrashing of the now defunct South Queensland Crushers, Buderus has been used as a fresh reserve in the Knights' past two encounters against Auckland and Brisbane. He scored a try in the 38-14 win over the Warriors in Auckland a fortnight ago and has been named on a five-man bench for Sunday's grand-final rematch against Manly at Brookvale Oval. The 20-year-old former Australian Schoolboys representative comes off contract at the end of this season and can expect offers from rival clubs keen to pick up the latest model off Newcastle's famous production line. `I really don't know what I'm going to do next year,' Buderus said. `I consider myself a Novocastrian after only four years here so obviously I don't want to leave but it's something I've got to think about. `I'm still only young so I don't know whether I would leave but obviously everyone wants to play first grade on a regular basis. `I've spoken to Leo about it and he just said I've got to hang in there and my opportunity will come, like it did for him.' 
Buderus preferred to think of Johns's presence as a positive influence because he had learnt so much from the champion playmaker and also adapted his game to cover other positions. Newcastle coach Malcolm Reilly has used Buderus at hooker to spell Lee Jackson and briefly at lock, plus he also covers the five-eighth and centre positions. `It's good to have a player like Joey at the club because I'm always learning things from him and that's the standard you try and aspire to,' he said. `I'm glad Mal's given me a taste of what first grade is all about. `It's been great to get on there and I'd love to do that every week because no-one wants to be in reserve grade all the time. `Playing a bit of hooker has been good. I wouldn't mind getting a crack at halfback at some stage but I know with Joey there I've probably got to wait for an injury and that's not something you want to see happen to anyone.' 
Johns hoped Buderus stayed in Newcastle beyond this year and appreciated having a player of his potential keeping him honest. `You see him training hard and it keeps blokes like Matt and myself on our toes,' Johns said. `He's definitely got a lot of potential and I'd like to think there's a position here for him because he's a valuable utility player. `He's probably one of the best players in the whole reserve-grade competition. `There's probably other blokes at other clubs in the same situation as him where they just need an opportunity so it's good to see him getting a chance in first grade.' 
Buderus left his Taree home in 1995 to join the Knights on a scholarship program similar to the one which brought Owen Craigie to the club from Tingha the year before. The two teenagers were schoolmates at St Francis Xavier and toured Great Britain at the end of that year with four other Knights juniors in the Australian Schoolboys. `I left home at 16 and the Knights put me in with a family at Belmont just up the road from Owey and I lived there for a year to finish my last year at St Francis Xavier,' Buderus said. `Owey was just down the road so we hung out a bit together and we ended up playing Australian Schoolboys that year. 
`Peter Robertson was my first coach at the Knights and he was fairly instrumental in teaching me everything I needed to know. I was on a scholarship to start with then I signed a three-year contract when the Super League thing broke out.' Buderus gave up his day job with Boots Plumbing Supplies to concentrate on full-time football this year and it appears to be paying dividends as he fights to establish himself as a regular member of Reilly's senior squad. `I want to play first grade every week, or have the chance to play first grade, because it's just great to be a part of it.' 
'Steve Walters helped me while he was at the club. He wasn't here long but because he was a Test hooker, it wasn't hard to learn off him. "  Buderus's fill in role as dummy half for the injured Andrew Johns enabled him to improve on his kicking game, which he says will come in handy.  Buderus played five eighth for the Australian schoolboys side that toured England and France in 1995. Among his teammates was Matthew Gidley.  "The desire to go all the way and play for the senior Australian team has been in my belly ever since," Buderus said. 
Chris Anderson says that Buderus is an international in the making, stating, "I like him because he plays a bit of football from hooker. He has got skill and he shows it, but he also uses his forwards well and knows when to run from dummy half."   There is no shortage of experienced guides available to Buderus. Apart from Ryan, there are the Johns brothers. "Andrew and Matthew have got a lot of good ideas about how to make things easier." Buderus said.

Hooker stays a Knight; Buderus offered two-year contract Herald. Aug 1, 1998. 
THE Newcastle Knights are on the verge of signing boom young utility player Danny Buderus to a new two-year contract, with the intention of grooming him as their future hooker. The 20-year-old Taree junior, who will have his first start at No 9 against Illawarra at Marathon Stadium tonight, is expected to reject a huge offer from Sydney City and re-sign with the Knights early next week. The Knights have also re-signed Jersey Flegg (under-19s) captain and hooker Ben Donaldson for two more years as his back-up. Experienced rakes Lee Jackson and Brett Clements, who have been fighting for the position for the past two years, are not considered part of the club's future plans although Jackson has been given another chance to impress by being recalled to the first-grade bench for tonight's game. Knights chairman Michael Hill ruled out the possibility of the club chasing former Queensland veterans Kerrod and Steve Walters.

Danny's new role  -  02 Sep 1998,  Newcastle Herald
Danny Buderus has been named as hooker in the team to play Sydney City in the qualifying semifinal at Marathon Stadium on Saturday night. Coach Mal Reilly has relegated English international Lee Jackson to the bench following the return of six players from injury, allowing the Taree-born 20-year-old to return to the pack. `Mr Versatility' Buderus was called in as a replacement for Jackson mid-season but has covered almost every backline position because of injuries, allowing Jackson to remain in the top grade. Glenn Grief has been named in the front row with Tony Butterfield and Buderus pending Harragon's test, with Peter Shields and Neil Piccinelli in the second row. 

Buderus feels at home in the centres; Herald. Mar 27, 1999. 
KNIGHTS handyman Danny Buderus is looking forward to a return to his childhood position when he lines up in the centres against Manly tomorrow. Buderus, returning to first grade after his off-season shoulder reconstruction, bobs up all over the place for the blue-and-reds and it would be no surprise to see him fill in at fullback or hooker during tomorrow's game. But the 21-year-old former Australian Schoolboys representative said he was looking no further than his dual with Manly's Albert Torrens. `I played most of my schoolboy footy in the centres and I love playing there,' Buderus said. `My shoulder feels fine after last week.
`I got about 40 minutes on the field (in first division) which was good and now I'm looking forward to Sunday.'
In his first time at Marathon as a spectator several years ago, the Taree junior watched uncomfortably as Manly thrashed the Knights. But he is now a vital member of a Newcastle team starting to weave their own spell over a club which racked up 11 straight wins against them from 1993-1997. `We seem to have something over them at the moment. Ever since that grand final, we've gone well against them but it's too early in the season to be writing them off,' he said. `They've had a bad start but as Chief pointed out, we lose on Sunday and we've only won one from four as well.'

Danny doing the job for Wok -  20 May 1999,  Newcastle Herald 
Knights hooker Danny Buderus has done enough to convince coach Warren Ryan to keep him in the starting side even when Steve Walters returns from injury. Walters has missed Newcastle's past four matches after undergoing minor knee surgery but is expected back against Cronulla next week after sitting out Sunday's game against Souths at the Sydney Football Stadium. The former Queensland and Australian rake started the season as Ryan's first-choice No.9 while Buderus recovered from a shoulder reconstruction. Ryan then used Buderus as a utility bench player when the 21-year-old former Australian Schoolboys representative returned to the squad against Manly in late March. But Buderus has starred for the Knights in recent weeks and was only just shaded by Andrew Johns for man-of-the-match honours in Sunday's 20-15 win over Penrith. `I've told Steve that when he gets back, he's going to have to do a lot of hard training and get his fitness right up to speed because I'm not just going to put him straight back in over the top of Danny Buderus,' Ryan said. `We'll start to weigh our options up when Steve gets some condition back because as you know, that injury he's had means he's been unable to run. `He's got to put some running into the bank because you can't make any withdrawals if you haven't got anything in there. `Danny's got the job at the moment and Steve's got to come back and get fit. He's well short of a gallop and Danny's playing well so he'll have to put some good training sessions in to threaten Danny for the job.' Ryan said Buderus was playing as well as Queensland hooker Jason Hetherington. `Danny's played terrific football and the pack is benefiting enormously from his energy and workrate in the hooking position,' he said. `He's making good runs out of dummy-half and his defensive workrate is superb. `It's right up there with Jason Hetherington, who I rate the best hooker-forward in the country, so Danny's not far off that level of top-class representative performance.' 

Buderus hooks in; League 99; Jun 17, 1999. 
THE word on Knights No.9 Danny Buderus is enthusiasm. No matter who you talk to about Buderus, they are bursting with enthusiasm about the enthusiastic 21-year-old hooker. Even when the Knights signed former Queensland and Australian rake Steve Walters for this season, Buderus was always considered Newcastle's dummy-half of the future. Off-season shoulder surgery meant Buderus started the year behind Walters and had to warm the bench for a couple of games. But Walters' nagging knee injury means the future is now for the former Australian Schoolboys halfback. Knights coach Warren Ryan believes Buderus, who only broke into first grade last year, would not look out of place in a NSW jersey, even now. `The way he's going, I think we've got a representative player on our hands for the future. I don't think he's far off the pace now frankly, the way he's handling some of the big blokes,' Ryan said. `I really think that he's going to go all the way and I don't say those things lightly because it comes back to haunt you and they say you're not a good judge. But he wouldn't be out of place in a State of Origin game now as a hooker-forward because he's good enough. It doesn't matter how big they are, he just tackles them.'
Retired captain Paul Harragon was convinced about Buderus' courage and character when he saw him keep playing in last year's semi-final against Canterbury with a dislocated shoulder. `If he wants to play hooker, he can go all the way in the game,' Harragon said. `He's just so enthusiastic. He's got agility, skills, fitness, his front-on defence is superb, plus he's the right sort of bloke you want in your team.'
He was in the thick of things in attack and defence in last Saturday's 27-26 win over Melbourne, stopping Glenn Lazarus and Rodney Howe in their tracks with fearless front-on tackles and showing his smarts with the ball by linking up with Adam MacDougall to set up a try out of nothing for Mark Hughes. Buderus said he was starting to hit his straps after last summer's shoulder reconstruction, which requires him to wear a protective, but restrictive, brace for the rest of his career.
`That's what I've been advised, but I'll give it 12 months and see how I go,' Buderus said. `I'm just getting the confidence back now with my shoulder because I feel like I'm finally getting the strength back in it. It will never be 100 per cent again physically, but mentally it is.
`I feel like my match fitness is right there now, and I'm over all the mental hiccups and being tentative after the operation, so I'm really enjoying myself.'
Like other halfbacks before him, the presence of Andrew Johns made Buderus realise he would have to find a new position if he wanted to stay with the club he joined from Taree in 1994. I love it in there because you're always busy and always in the action,' he said. `I love the defensive side of it and I've been ripping into that at training. It's great getting to play with the Johns boys, too, because they're playing so well and they help take the pressure off me.'
Buderus has used Andrew Johns and Canterbury and Queensland hooker Jason Hetherington as defensive role models, and has even studied videotapes of Hetherington to mimic his tackling style. Hetherington did likewise when he made the transition from the halves to hooker a few years ago, only he pored over tapes of Walters. Buderus has had the luxury of having Walters in the flesh as a tutor and trainer. Instead of feeling intimidated or discouraged by Walters' arrival this year, Buderus has made the most of being able to pick the brain of arguably Australia's greatest hooker-forward. `You learn things just by being around someone like him and he's given me some good tips that have paid dividends,' he said. `Just a little thing like moving straight away to where the ball goes after you pass from dummy-half, so you're not always rushing to the next play-the-ball.'  Walters said Buderus' best attributes were his positive attitude and willingness to learn. `He should be happy with how he's going because he's going great,' Walters said.

Danny shoulders burden no longer  -  17 Feb 2000,  Newcastle Herald
Knights rising star Danny Buderus is free at last. Free from the restrictive shoulder brace he wore all last season and free to call the shots from dummy-half, even if it means over-ruling Matthew and Andrew Johns from time to time. His defence is as sound as it has always been but his incisions from dummy-half are sharper and more judiciously timed. Buderus said he felt more confident because of a full off-season training program under his belt and the encouragement from his team-mates and coach Warren Ryan to back himself. His build-up to 2000 was in stark contrast to the summer of 1998-99, when he had reconstructive shoulder surgery and spent the off-season rehabilitating. `After my shoulder injury, I played the whole season last year with that brace but I don't wear it any more and that makes a hell of a lot of difference,' Buderus said. `I feel a lot stronger physically with a whole off-season under my belt because I was able to get in the gym and do the fitness work. `The other thing is it's up to me to run more out of dummy-half this year to take some pressure off the Johnsies. `They demand it most of the time which is fair enough because they're our main ball-players and the best ball-players in the game. `But we've developed a few plays involving me and the forwards to take the pressure off.' Like most players wearing No. 9 these days, Buderus is a converted halfback who only began playing hooker two years ago. He started last season as a utility bench player and back-up to former Queensland and Test rake Steve Walters, but quickly assumed the starting role when Walters retired midway through the season. Buderus said Walters taught him plenty during his brief stint in Newcastle, particularly in technical areas such as passing and footwork at dummy-half, and they still keep in touch.  The always-thinking Buderus also studies other hookers to continually look for ways of improving his game. Leading the kick chase and putting pressure on opposition kickers are among the areas he is working on. `I just watch all of them and take note of everything I can,' he said. `The way the game's developed, it's a necessity for the dummy-half to get involved because everything revolves around the ruck.'

World Cup Train on Squad
Danny was named in the 22 man train on squad for the 2000 world cup. Knights officials have never doubted the former Australian Schoolboy's talent. In 1998 he played every position on the field except for the second row and front row. Under departing coach Warren Ryan he has been a permanent fixture at hooker.  Honoured by his inclusion in Australia's World Cup train on squad last year and rated by most judges as a future NSW and Test player, Buderus is unlikely to get a shot  because of the policy to pick Brett Kimmorley at halfback and Andrew Johns at hooker.

Knights forwards face big mission
Newcastle and Australian hooker Danny Buderus challenged his forwards to be at the peak of their powers to contain the Sharks' man-eating pack in the preliminary final at the SFS on Saturday. Buderus said the Knights had been working on a game plan to stifle the Sharks on Saturday but was understandably reluctant to go into detail. 'Obviously they're a big side so we're going to have to be at our best in one-on-one tackles,' he said. 'We're going to have to tackle over the ball and stop their offloads. That's our aim on Saturday night.'  Led by Buderus, back-rower Ben Kennedy and prop Matt Parsons, Newcastle's underrated pack got the job done against the Roosters in the qualifying final and are entitled to feel confident about doing likewise against the Sharks.  "We did some drills yesterday to accommodate that," he explained. 'When you run out of the line trying to put pressure on kicks, sometimes they put on the inside ball and attack from there so we've got to go up together, send one out on the kicker, and see how we go.'

Buderus - Season 2001
"Last year I really worked myself up for the first game of the year but this year i'm taking a more relaxed approach.  Its really only one game out of 26 in a long season, so i'm just trying to take things easy. "Its the first game, we're at home, and thats always a big occasion because you like to start well and get that first up win under your belt."  State selectors have confirmed what the Knights players have known for some time about the ability of their number nine by declaring hooker Danny Buderus is on their hit list. Buderus was in sensational form against Parramatta in round 4. Selectors have been keeping a close eye on him.  Buderus played like an additional back-rower against the big Parramatta pack with some great defence, but still took time to feature in attack and was responsible for Mark Hughes' second try with a sweetly timed cut-out pass that put the centre straight through a hole in the defensive line. Buderus is aware that the Blues would be better served by having two of the game's best players on the field at the same time in Brett Kimmorley at half and Andrew Johns at hooker.  "You can't leave Joey or Brett out of any side because they're such great players," Buderus said in an interview about his representative aspirations for the 2001 season. 

Backline boys earmarked for more action up the guts - 14 Feb 2001,  Newcastle Herald
Knights coach Michael Hagan said yesterday his outside backs would have to become more involved in the game because of the limited-replacement rule. NRL clubs will be restricted to four replacement players and 12 interchanges during the 80 minutes, which will ensure most players get more time on the paddock than they have in previous years. Hooker Danny Buderus is looking forward to being an `80-minute man' because of the interchange-rule restrictions. The regular dummy-half said yesterday he would enjoy the extra minutes and taking advantage of tired opponents. `The longer it goes the more open the play gets,' Buderus said. `There will be three 80-minute men and I'm one of them. `I'm looking forward to playing a lot more minutes.'   But Buderus will probably get a spell from continually chasing the ball player if Hagan uses some of the backline in the dummy-half position. 

Buderus on Coach Hagan  -  Buderus said the Knights players "can't wait to play" each weekend.  Praising Hagan from a player's point of view, Buderus said everyone enjoyed themselves at training, which must certainly put them in the right frame of mind for matches.  Hagan said training the day before a match, especially away from Newcastle, put the team in a good routine. The results prove that, with five wins, a draw and two losses in the opening eight matches.  Buderus claimed this week that two matches in succession at Marathon Stadium gave the club added incentive to record four and five straight wins, otherwise all the effort in previous weeks had been "wasted". 

Oh Danny boy, Origin is calling; ANDREW JOHNS. Sunday Telegraph. Mar 25, 2001. 
DANNY Buderus is ready to take the step up to Origin football this season -- even if it means sacrificing myself to see it happen. The Knights hooker has been our best player this season and really deserves a NSW Origin jumper. I'm a huge fan of Craig Gower as well and obviously, if he is fully fit, the Panthers star may have his nose in front in the minds of the selectors because he has been there before. But I know Craig's fitness -- and whether he needs surgery -- is a cause for concern at Penrith. If there is a doubt over him, they shouldn't look any further than "Bedsy". Like Gower, he is a former halfback who has brought to the hooking role all the ball skills he has developed during his junior days. But one of his biggest attributes is his toughness and durability. He is also one of the best defenders I have played with and his overall work ethic is second to none. They are all the qualities needed in a State of Origin player. You may ask why I would push a player when his selection would put me out of a job. The reason is simple.  I regard myself as a halfback and always will. If I am chosen as a hooker in rep footy, well, that is fine and I would always do the best job I possibly could. But it certainly wouldn't shatter me if the selectors decided to play a specialist hooker and use me off the bench if they decided to go with "Noddy" (Brett Kimmorley) for the halfback spot in the Blues line-up. IT should be obvious to everyone by now we are playing in one of the closest competitions in many years. A comp where if you are five or 10 per cent below your best on a given weekend, there is every chance you will get your backside smacked. Parramatta found that out three weeks ago against us. We found out the same thing last week against the Broncos. One week princes, the next paupers. It's near impossible to be at the peak of your game physically and mentally each week. You can have the best players, the best coach, the best game plan but in this competition, if you are even slightly off mentally, you can end up with your tail between your legs. We finished the 80 minutes against the Broncos with that feeling. I have no doubts Melbourne would have been feeling the same way after they suffered at the hands of the Tigers. It makes our clash with the Storm today in Melbourne all the more intriguing. They are too good a side to be down for too long.

Johns backs Buderus for Origin -  4 April, 2001
Newcastle captain Andrew Johns has reiterated his belief that hooker Danny Buderus should be considered for State of Origin selection this year. With Craig Gower (shoulder) out of contention, and Johns himself likely to return to halfback, the opportunity is there for Buderus to make his NSW debut.Bedsy has been playing great football for several seasons and everyone within our club has been well aware of it, especially me, Johns said. "He plays his whole game week-in, week-out at the intensity required of Origin footy and our team has been reaping the benefits. The hardest thing for Danny and the other hookers in the comp is that a specialist hasn’t been given a go in recent years. I’m not sure what the selectors intend to do this year, but putting Danny Buderus in a Blues jersey can’t be far from their minds."

I'll give it my best; Buderus fires up for strong game at half, Herald. Jun 21, 2001. 
RELUCTANT halfback Danny Buderus has no long-term plans to return to the position where he played his junior football. It took the Taree-born 23-year-old long enough to accept his conversion from half to hooker three years ago, when he realised he was never going to budge Andrew Johns out of Newcastle's No.7 jersey. But Buderus, who starred in Country Origin's 42-10 win over City two weeks ago, will sacrifice his own comfort zone for one game to allow his team-mates to return to theirs. Johns is due to return from a knee injury against Brisbane in two weeks, but Buderus will fill in against the Eels at Parramatta Stadium tomorrow night. Buderus will play first receiver, and Ben Donaldson will start at dummy-half, after coach Michael Hagan decided to break up the scrumbase combination he has used in the five games Johns has missed. Sean Rudder is back at five-eighth, and Matthew Gidley will return to the centres, where he plays for NSW and Australia. `That's the way I'm looking at it. It's just 80 minutes, so I'll do my best and have a real go at Parra,' Buderus said.
Hagan said Buderus was hesitant about moving from his now-established hooking position when Johns broke down against the Dragons eight weeks ago. `He's pretty confident he can handle it for a week to help us out for this week, then hopefully Andrew will be back after that,' Hagan said. `He has played there before. He played there last year at different times, and he and Donno have played halfback and hooker for us, so it's not totally foreign to him. I think Sean feels more comfortable at second receiver, and that's probably where he was playing his best football. Gids is probably the same, where he doesn't have that additional responsibility that you have to have at halfback and five-eighth.'
Buderus will concentrate on talking and kicking more to give his team-mates the direction they have lacked in recent losses to the Roosters and Bulldogs. `Just steering the ship around and hopefully get our kicking game back in order,' he said of his goals tomorrow. That's the way we've trained this week, and I'm sweet with that.'  Hagan had toyed with the idea of promoting first-division halves James Wynne or Darren Baker and blooding them in first grade at various times during Johns' absence but not this week on such limited preparation. An Illawarra junior, Wynne is in his second season at the Knights, and Baker joined from Penrith this year. Neither has played a first-grade game. `Darren Baker and James Wynne have been playing reasonably well at second-grade level, but the jump up to first grade and the expectation against Parramatta, down there, I think at this point it's difficult to introduce them,' Hagan said.
Hagan refused to concede the partnership of Gidley and Rudder had failed but admitted the lack of direction and inconsistent kicking meant changes were inevitable. `I think it's certainly struggled in the last week or two, and our kicking game was one of the areas we identified that needs some work on,' he said.
`Initially, for a couple of games, we were able to collectively work together. But I don't think it's just them. I think everyone's down a fraction or two on what they've been doing. They've certainly been the focal point for the team in terms of how we're organised, but I think it's fair to say that everyone in the second half against the Bulldogs was below their best, not just the halfback and five-eighth.'
Buderus and Newcastle team-mates Steve Simpson, Josh Perry, Timana Tahu and Darren Albert had a rare chance to experience Parramatta coach Brian Smith's various principles and philosophies in their week with the Country Origin squad in Bathurst. Smith has never disguised his high opinion of Buderus and was impressed with the Newcastle rake's performance in that game. The Eels have tried to lure Buderus away from Newcastle in the past, but he has remained with the Knights and hopes to be responsible for Parramatta's downfall tomorrow.

Test bolter Buderus; The Daily Telegraph. Jul 9, 2001.
TEST selection shock Danny Buderus was earmarked for international stardom earlier this year despite missing out on State- of-Origin selection.
The Newcastle hooker will make his Test debut for the Kangaroos against New Zealand in Wellington on Friday night. NSW selectors went close to picking him ahead of Luke Priddis and Craig Gower for this year's Origin series but a combination of their experience and loyalty to last year's players convinced them to leave him waiting in the wings. But another blinding performance for Newcastle against the Broncos last Friday night and his combination with Andrew Johns satisfied them that Buderus was the man for the Test job. While both Gower and Priddis missed out they are by no means out of contention for the Kangaroo tour at the end of the season. The same can be said of other players headed by Brett Kimmorley who lost his No.7 jumper to Johns.
Kimmorley missed out despite coach Chris Anderson entering the selection room last night determined to have the Northern Eagles star at halfback and Johns at hooker. "I lost the battle," Anderson said with a smile. We had good discussion on it, we decided Johnsy was a better choice, that's cool. I'm not unhappy, we considered Johnsy as the best halfback and I admitted that. But I also think he is the best hooker. I thought Brett Kimmorley was in the top 13 players in Australia."
Anderson said there was a "split hair" between Johns and Kimmorley and in the future their selection at halfback would be determined on form. The coach said form was also a major consideration in the selection of Buderus. Danny was brought up in discussion by the selectors during the Origin series and was close to selection," Anderson said. "I think the fact we've only got a short preparation for the Test and he plays with Johnsy and they have a combination, it was probably easier to fit him in. Priddis and Gower were unlucky, it was a tough decision."

Hagan gives backing to Buderus' shock selection - 10 Jul 2001,  Newcastle Herald
Knights coach Michael Hagan said new Australian hooker Danny Buderus thoroughly deserved selection in the Test team despite not playing in this year's State of Origin series. Buderus was ranked behind Brisbane's Luke Priddis and Penrith's Craig Gower by NSW selectors. But he kept his name on the national short list by starring in Country's 42-10 win over City last month and producing consistently for the Knights. His combination with Knights and Australian halfback Andrew Johns earned him a call-up for the Trans-Tasman Test against New Zealand in Wellington on Friday night. `I'm absolutely delighted for Bedsy. It's very much a just reward for someone who has consistently been our best player,' Hagan said. Hagan said Buderus' defence around the rucks and skills out of dummy-half, especially in tandem with Johns, would provide a solid platform for the Kangaroos. `Their skill level is enormous,' he said. 
Buderus, 23, is the 12th Australian international produced by the Knights since they entered the premiership in 1988. He will lock horns with Kiwi rake Richard Swain twice in less than 48 hours, in the Test and then for Newcastle against Melbourne at Marathon Stadium on Sunday. The international against the Kiwis will give the Knights their highest representation in a Test match since the game's reunification. Newcastle's quartet of Buderus, Johns, Matt Gidley and Adam MacDougall is second only to Brisbane's seven. 

Test Selection
Danny Buderus has been named despite being omitted from the State of Origin series. "I'm ecstatic," Buderus said. "I've just put my head down and worked harder, and it's paid off."   Test selection shock Danny Buderus was earmarked for international stardom earlier this year despite missing out on State-of-Origin selection.  The Newcastle hooker made his Test debut for the Kangaroos against New Zealand in Wellington.  NSW selectors went close to picking him ahead of Luke Priddis and Craig Gower for this year's Origin series but a combination of their experience and loyalty to last year's players convinced them leave him waiting in the wings.  "Danny was brought in discussion up by the selectors during the Origin series and was a close to selection, I think the fact we've only got a short preparation for the Test and he plays with Johnsy and they have a combination it was probably easier to fit him in." Anderson 
"Mark and I were both at home talking about what we were going to eat for dinner.  I didn't know what to do, it was all such a rush. I rang my mum and dad and they were ecstatic, although they were a bit of a blubbering mess. "Hopefully they can come over and watch me play." 

Mum taught me, says Danny boy; Sydney Morning Herald. Jul 13, 2001.
Danny Buderus credits his rise as Australian hooker to the coaching of Malcolm Reilly, Warren Ryan, Michael Hagan and his mum, Chris. While it was Reilly who decided to switch him to the hooking role at Newcastle just four seasons ago, Chris Buderus is responsible for teaching her son the basics of the game. With elder brother Brock, Buderus began his career at Taree's Chatham Cundle club in an under-eights side coached by their mother. Yesterday, the 23-year-old shock Test selection paid tribute to her influence on the eve of the biggest match of his life so far. "When I look back on it, all I ever wanted to do was play for Australia, and mum was always supportive of me," Buderus said. "She loved the idea of me playing football. Dad [Gus] worked a lot, but he got to every game that he could.
"But it was great having her on my side."
Buderus was only 16 when he moved out of home to take up a scholarship with the Knights. His story is not unlike that of many other kids from the bush offered the chance to make it in the big time with an NRL club. Except he never seemed to have any problems adapting to life in Newcastle, being chosen in the same 1995 Australian Schoolboys side as Test teammates tonight in Wellington, Trent Barrett and Matthew Gidley. Back then he was a halfback, although he quickly realised there was no future feeding scrums at the Knights. "At the time, Brett Kimmorley was understudy to Andrew Johns," he said. "I was just playing there in SG Ball and then when I went to Presidents Cup, I played centre and shifted around a few positions, just trying to find a spot, before Mal Reilly moved me to hooker."
Johns, of course, is the reason Buderus got his surprise call-up to play the Kiwis. Australian coach Chris Anderson made no secret of the fact that he wanted the Newcastle skipper at hooker and Kimmorley as halfback. When the selectors refused to budge on Johns for the No7 jersey, it's understood that Anderson demanded to pick the hooker, and Buderus was his choice, despite having been overlooked for State of Origin. But the likes of Steve Walters, who played at Newcastle in 1998, and Nathan Brown assistant coach in the Country Origin side Buderus played in last month also played a role. "The Country experience was really good and Brownie taught me heaps about ball-playing out of dummy-half," he said. "And Steve Walters was just unreal, he used to go down to training an hour early just to give me a bit of practice with how to get out of dummy-half. I still ring him up every now and again."
He also keeps in contact with Richard Swain a former Knights' teammate, and now Melbourne and New Zealand Test hooker. Few tipped that the pair would be going head-to-head tonight, but one person who did was Hunter greyhound trainer John Munro, whom Buderus and flatmate Mark Hughes regularly visit for a massage after games. "We went to see him last Saturday and he said, `don't be surprised if you get picked, listen to the radio'," Buderus said. "He gets pretty good mail, he said the same to Mark before he made the Origin team. Then he rang Sunday morning and said, `I'm telling you'. He's a real good man."
Yet, when Newcastle chairman Michael Hill rang to tell him the news at 5.45pm last Sunday, Buderus was still unprepared when the call came.
"Mark and I were both at home talking about what we were going to eat for dinner," he said. "I didn't know what to do, it was all such a rush. I rang my mum and dad and they were ecstatic, although they were a bit of a blubbering mess.  "Hopefully they can come over and watch me play."

Buderus packs in for club's all-stars -  16 Jul 2001,  Newcastle Herald
The selection of Danny Buderus in Australia's Test team for Friday night's international against New Zealand has almost completed the Knights' all-time Australian XIII. Buderus became the 12th Australian international produced by the Knights since they joined the premiership in 1988, and the only position needing filling is lock forward. Buderus repelled a challenge from Parramatta's Brad Drew for the hooking role. `Danny is entitled to keep his spot on the fact that he was there and played so well last time for Australia,' Hagan said. `The way he has played the last couple of games he has shaded Brad Drew to be honest.' Despite a call from Hagan to install Johns as Australia's vice-captain for the Kangaroo tour, selectors opted not to name a deputy.
Newcastle's all-Australian team is: Robbie O'Davis, Brad Godden, Matt Gidley, Adam MacDougall, Jamie Ainscough, Matthew Johns, Andrew Johns, TBA, Ben Kennedy, Adam Muir, Paul Harragon, Danny Buderus, Mark Sargent. Former No.13 Marc Glanville would volunteer his services to fill the void, as he was often considered the best player of his era not to represent Australia. Glanville's career tally of 188 first-grade games for the Knights between 1988 and 1997 remains second to former skipper and front-rower Tony Butterfield, who retired last year after 229 senior games for Newcastle. But the Knights may have to wait only another 12 months or so to see second-rower Steve Simpson wear the green and gold, then Kennedy could switch to lock and the team would be complete. 

Bedsy puts big weekend to bed with smile on face - 16 Jul 2001,  Newcastle Herald
A MISSPELT boarding pass is responsible for Danny Buderus' nickname of `Bedsy' among his Newcastle Knights team-mates. Buderus was spelled Bederus, which became Beds-R-Us, and abbreviated back to `Bedsy', the way footballers usually do in pursuit of etymological economy. And Buderus was looking for his bed and a good night's sleep last night after playing two of the games of his life less than 48 hours apart. The first of those was his Test debut on Friday night, in which he earned rave reviews for his role in Australia's 28-10 victory over New Zealand in Wellington. Buderus and his three Newcastle and Australian team-mates were on an early flight out of Wellington on Saturday morning and back in Newcastle by lunchtime for a light training run with the Knights. He spent the rest of the day sampling the new spa installed last week in the Merewether house he shares with Mark Hughes, then it was back to work for the Knights at Marathon yesterday to help dismantle Melbourne 48-10. Buderus played all but the final two minutes yesterday, scored two tries of his own and helped set up three others in his most complete performance for the Knights this year. `I'm still pinching myself. It's just a dream come true,' Buderus said afterwards. `I'll sit back tonight and reflect on the weekend and go to sleep with a smile on my face.' 
Buderus said the greatest benefit of playing for Australia was the confidence he took back with him to the Knights. He passed off his knees to set the wheels in motion for the try of the game to Darren Albert in the 64th minute. Andrew Johns left the game shortly afterwards and Buderus slipped seamlessly back to halfback, sending Adam MacDougall over for a try from a no-look inside pass. He then handled three times in the lead-up to scoring his second try close to full-time. `I spoke to Joey during the week and he said the best thing about playing a rep game is backing up for your club,' he said. `You come back with a lot more confidence and you want to take that into the game, so it was just great to come back and play for the Newcastle Knights today.' Johns said: `All Bedsy needed was recognition. `For him to come off a big win against Brisbane, a Test match where he played well, then to back up today, it was a big test for him today and he played great. `He's been an elite player for 12 months now. He just needed a crack at it. `Now that he's had a crack, just that confidence he's gained from mixing and training with all the boys, it can only be good for him.' 

Danny seizes his opportunity; LEAGUE 2001 - Paul Harragon. Herald. Jul 20, 2001. 
IN my last couple of years playing for the Newcastle Knights, I had the additional honour of being club captain. That role, and just being one of the older players at the club, meant I took an interest in the younger players making their way through the ranks. Like anything in life, first impressions last forever and I couldn't help but be impressed with what I saw of Danny Buderus from the outset. Originally from Taree, Danny was a fixture in the Knights' junior teams from 1994 onwards and I saw him as a clean-cut, well-mannered, very humble and likeable kid. He was cut from the same cloth as Mark Hughes, Matt Gidley and Darren Albert and the rest of those blokes who came through at roughly the same time. You often try to think ahead about who is going to make it and with Danny, it took a little longer than I first thought it would. I thought he would arrive straight onto the scene and his work ethic alone would assure him of a start somewhere. But, with Andrew Johns proving to be the immovable object at halfback, Danny had to make a positional change to hooker. His career went in a slightly different direction and he had to bide his time a little longer than many expected. Everyone around him knew how special he was and what he could do, but the champion inside him lay dormant for a while. Fast-forward a few years to last week and the rest of the rugby league world has discovered what we knew all along.
The Australian selectors saw in him what we all saw and gave him a start in the Test against New Zealand, despite the fact he didn't play in any State of Origin games. Players like Luke Priddis and Craig Gower probably felt hard done by, seeing Bedsy leapfrog over them and straight into the Test team.
But what a game he had!
His defence was outstanding, his passing game from dummy-half was topnotch, and his combinations with Joey and Trent Barrett set up Australia's emphatic victory over the Kiwis as I predicted they would. Joey's a little bit older than Danny and Trent, who were Australian Schoolboys together in 1995, but they can expect to have a lock on those three positions for quite some time. Suddenly everyone was talking about Danny Buderus and it was all positive. Furthermore, for rugby league as the big picture, what an outstanding role model he is. There is nothing negative about the kid and the NRL decision-makers could do a lot worse than concentrate their marketing campaigns around players like Danny and Trent and Darren Lockyer and promote them as the faces of the future. Once the dust settled after his memorable debut for Australia, Danny could have been excused for coming back to the Knights two days later and being a bit lethargic in the game against Melbourne. That was the case with many of the Australian players who had to back up for their NRL teams after the Test. But Danny played not just his usual game, he had a blinder. He stood up and took the challenge on. It is what I expected him to do some time ago but he will be living proof of that old saying: `The longer it takes to get there, the longer you stay there.'

Fine for drunken Knights; The Daily Telegraph. Aug 28, 2001.
A DISGRACED Newcastle Knights club was fined $35,000 by the NRL last night after four senior players -- including Andrew Johns -- admitted misbehaving while on an Ansett flight on Sunday morning. The four Knights, all Australian representatives, and possibly other teammates are also facing individual fines from the club of up to $5000. And the Knights have slapped an alcohol ban on away trips following the ugly incidents on a flight between Townsville and Brisbane after Newcastle's match against North Queensland last Saturday night. Champion half Johns, Test hooker Danny Buderus, Test centre Matthew Gidley and World Cup secondrower Ben Kennedy were reprimanded by the club following complaints from Ansett staff and fellow passengers. Johns has admitted to swearing and "boisterous" behaviour on the flight. Buderus vomited and was warned by the captain of the plane about his intoxicated behaviour. The Knights have been placed on notice by the NRL and have seven days to respond in writing to the misconduct charges. Johns and club captain Bill Peden issued statements on behalf of the players yesterday with the Knights halfback offering an apology. "In hindsight, we were too noisy and boisterous on the flight from Townsville to Brisbane and didn't behave in the manner that everyone has come to expect of a Newcastle Knight," Johns said. "I was personally warned for swearing. Ben Kennedy, Matthew Gidley and myself were singing on the plane but I must stress that this singing was good-natured and I would be very surprised if anyone took offence from it. Upon boarding the Sydney-bound flight from Brisbane, Danny Buderus was identified as being intoxicated and asked to come to the front of the plane. Myself, Ben Kennedy, Mark Hughes, Daniel Smailes and Dan Quinn followed Danny to the air bridge where a discussion followed. "The captain joined the discussion and alerted us to the required behaviour of passengers and allowed us to return to our seats. "Upon returning to his seat, Danny vomited in the airsick bag provided. No other incidents took place from this point."
While the Knights' admissions were frank, the extent of the players' misconduct was still in dispute. A 45-year-old male passenger from Cronulla, who asked that his name not be published, said the Knights had been "behaving like yobbos. They were swearing (and) vomiting ... they'd obviously had too much to drink either the night before or on the flight."
Sources at Newcastle said players celebrated the win over the Cowboys well into the early hours of the morning. After a pool session, the players continued at the airport and on the flight to Brisbane. Angry NRL chief executive David Moffett said the heavy fine sent a message to all clubs and players. "Clubs have worked tremendously hard in recent years to overcome behaviour issues that dogged the game in the past," Moffett said. "Quite simply, we are not going to let individuals put that work at risk."

Boogie Knights, Sydney Morning Herald, 30 Sept 2001. 
DANNY BUDERUS -  Position: Hooker. Height: 182cm. Weight: 91kg. 
Danny Buderus, just 23, is the incumbent Australian Test hooker and seemed surprised on Tuesday to be continually asked about opposite Brad Drew. The Eels tried to sign Buderus last year and his skillful performance for Country Origin - under coach Brian Smith - was the key to him winning the green and gold against New Zealand. Unlike Drew, Buderus rarely gets a rest during matches and his role is often less creative. A fascinating duel is in store. A wide-eyed debutant for Australia, Buderus is rated highly by all who come into contact with him. "Brad Drew has had a great season - good on him," says Buderus. "He doesn't do as much defence, [so that] allows him to be more creative. There are lots of creative players in the Australian team. "He's certainly putting pressure on. We're going to have to have to keep an eye on him."

Buderus trumps Hughes in household upset;  Herald. Oct 8, 2001. 
AUSTRALIAN hooker Danny Buderus broke a three-year stranglehold by housemate Mark Hughes on Saturday night when he was named Newcastle's Clubman of the Year at the Knights' annual presentation ball at Honeysuckle's Boiler Shop. Hughes was aiming for a fourth straight clubman award but was edged out by Buderus, who shares his Merewether house. Buderus, who made his Australian debut against New Zealand in July, could not accept his award in person as he was in Port Moresby preparing for yesterday's 54-12 Test win over Papua New Guinea. He and centre Matt Gidley were Newcastle's only representatives in that Test after winger Adam MacDougall was ruled out last Thursday because of tonsillitis. Back-rower Ben Kennedy was again honoured as the Players' Player of the Year. Kennedy, the only one of Newcastle's five Kangaroos to attend the Knights' presentation, had already received that award at an Excalibur Club function a fortnight ago. Workhorse hooker Ben Donaldson, who is leaving the Knights, was Players' Player of the Year in first division. Captain Andrew Johns, who will join the Kangaroo tour to England next Saturday, was out of the area on holiday. MacDougall was unable to attend because he is still recovering from his respiratory infection. Back-rower Steve Simpson received Michael Hagan's coach's award and prop Josh Perry won the Jack Newton Encouragement Award. Simpson, who Hagan said should have been named to tour with the Kangaroos, was the only Knight to start all 29 games in 2001. `It's not necessarily for the best player in the team but it recognises Simmo's performance and contribution during the entire season,' Hagan said.