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Dragons and Broncos answer their critics in style

Dragons coach Steve Price is running out of time. (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Colin Whelan)
Roar Rookie
16th March, 2014
28

As we near the completion of Round 2 of the NRL, both Dragons and Broncos supporters are taking their hats off and thanking critics.

Their sides have not only cast aside all doubts of their premiership credentials, but they have crushed all the haters with back-to-back victories.

Let’s go back one month to the pre-season.

Both the Broncos and the Dragons were getting slammed by critics who said that both teams were set for their worst seasons ever. Both coaches were apparently battling for the ‘first coach to be dumped’ title and every pre-season decision they made was hated by almost all.

The two teams were also said to be relying on one player – Ben Barba and Gareth Widdop for the Broncos and Dragons respectively – to spark their side.

Although each player has played well for the starting two games of the season, different players in each team have moved into the sensational footballer category instead.

For the Broncos, it was the likes of Dale Copley, Corey Parker and Andrew McCullough who rose to the occasion when their team needed them most. McCullough alone made 58 tackles and had over 110 possessions against the Cowboys on Friday night.

For the Dragons, big Tyson Frizell made his mark on the NRL floor in Round 1 with 34 tackles and 123 metres from just 12 runs.

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Round 2 saw Brett Morris remind us of why he’s a Test centre, making over 200 metres from just 12 runs and executing a brilliant try.

I guess it’s lesson learnt for the critics – “shut your mouth until you know what you’re talking about”.

Their hate towards both teams has only ignited the players’ spirits and motivated them to perform twice as hard.

The Broncos and Dragons will undoubtedly continue to build on their statement to the critics over the coming round with the Broncos facing the solid Roosters and the Dragons up against the fast-building Sharks.

They then meet in Round 4 for a battle of the doubted and what could be, as it stands, the outright competition lead.

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