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There’s nothing quite like being a little late on the bandwagon, and that’s exactly where I find myself with the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Brisbane Broncos this season.
Despite being at the top of the NRL ladder for some time now, it’s only after this round of action that I find myself believing these two clubs are legitimate premiership contenders.
Though I’m heartened by the number of people who are yet to buy into their contention credentials – which thereby ensures I’m not the last person on the train – I’m also far removed from being an ‘early adopter’ to the line of thinking that says the Dragons and Broncos are the real deal.
Clearly I’m a slower learner, because both teams have now established themselves as serious premiership threats in 2015.
Twelves rounds of football is enough of a sample size to analyse a team’s fortunes, and though I’m not guaranteeing any club will or won’t win the premiership, the Dragons and Broncos are not merely on lucky early-season runs.
In fact, apart from the great play from the two teams in question, it’s also how some of the more heavily favoured teams have performed that has ensured the Dragons and Broncos have been elevated to legitimate premiership contenders.
The Rabbitohs have lacked direction without Adam Reynolds, with their premiership defence looking a little shaky at times. The Roosters have been extremely inconsistent, while the Bulldogs have been nothing short of a mess in attack.
Things can turn around quickly though. When you consider the hot streak the Cowboys are on at the moment, the concerns about them early in the season feel like a very long time ago.
However, the Dragons and Broncos aren’t simply on a hot streak; both teams should be considered a favourite.
The Dragons built their impressive early season form off the back of strong defence. They communicated well off their line, defended as a team, and had the confidence to back themselves to hold out much vaunted attacks right across the NRL.
That catapulted the Red V to the top of the ladder, and remains their strongpoint, as they have allowed the fewest points in the NRL in 2015.
Yet what has really seen the Dragons make the leap from a ‘nice story’ to ‘favourite’ is the fact their attack in recent weeks has also come on.
They put 42 points on the Sharks on the weekend, and scored 32 points in their previous game, against the Raiders. Sure, those two opponents are on the bottom half of the ladder, but such scoring binges will only build the Dragons’ confidence in attack.
Benji Marshall has completed the fairytale narrative of a talented but erratic playmaker who matures into a savvy veteran.
Yes, Benji can still make the odd mistake, yet for the most part he’s settled into the role of a patient, experienced, level-headed half who doesn’t overplay his hand, or try to do something flashy every time he touches the ball.
His halves partner has been no slouch either. Since joining the Dragons from the Melbourne Storm, Gareth Widdop has been a revelation, and won a number of man of the match awards. His kicking game has been excellent, and combined with Marshall it provides the Dragons with formidable attacking options.
With their aforementioned defence, Paul McGregor’s men are an extremely dangerous team, and they won’t be an easy ‘out’ come finals time.
Meanwhile, the Broncos have been consistently good since Round 2 of the season; yet have remained somewhat under the radar.
The Broncos’ miraculous team try right on half-time versus the Raiders on Saturday night earned the team some overdue headlines, and it’s the early season favourite for the play of the year, with many were calling it the try of the decade.
Yet applauding the Broncos just for one moment of genius is a supreme injustice, because they’ve been playing great footy all year.
Anthony Milford has looked fantastic at five-eighth, with his explosive and unpredictable game the perfect foil for Ben Hunt’s measured play at halfback.
Together, they form arguably the best half pairing in the competition this season.
Of course, it’s difficult for a half to play well when behind a beaten pack, and the Broncos forwards have laid a tremendous platform in almost every Brisbane game I’ve watched this year.
Throw in a back-line that takes its opportunities, and has also welcomed back an international player in Darius Boyd in recent weeks, and you start to understand why the Broncos have graduated from a ‘dark horse’ to a white-horsed favourite.
I guess Wayne Bennett does know what he’s doing, huh?
It’s taken a while, and possibly longer than needed, but the Dragons and Broncos are finally receiving the credit they’re due.