The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

PRENTICE: This Sydneysider's dream grand final is Broncos-Cowboys

15th September, 2015
Advertisement
The 2015 NRL Grand Final will be an all-Queesnland blockbuster. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Expert
15th September, 2015
81
2574 Reads

I have lived in and worked out of Sydney all my life, but my wish is for an all-Queensland decider.

Why? Last Saturday night provides a lot of the answer.

The Broncos versus Cowboys qualifying final was one of the best finals duels in memory. In fact, I have watched it three times, and I’d certainly be up for an encore.

Your team might have been missing, but what wasn’t there to like about this all-action 80 minutes?

The game was played with a spirit and skill level we rarely see in modern rugby league. Both teams were clearly out to play football and – dare I say – there wasn’t a heavy emphasis on the wrestle at the ruck.

It flowed and kept on flowing and there was enough movement on the scoreboard to keep anyone on the edge of the seat, armchair, bar stool, whatever.

There was Johnathan Thurston versus Ben Hunt, Matt Scott up against Sam Thaiday, Michael Morgan opposed to Josh Milford, Lachlan Coote as a counter to Darius Boyd, and a relative rookie coach Paul Green trading tactics with The Master, Wayne Bennett.

Brisbane’s phenomenal goal-line defence ultimately got the horses to the winning post, but they had to sweat buckets as JT probed, prodded and ultimately pushed his feisty steed for the slightest opening, or error.

Advertisement

North Queensland prised Brisbane open a couple of times in the first half but failed to score. That was essentially the difference as the second half was pretty much nip and tuck.

The Cows created a handful of chances but the Broncs were right up to the test and repeatedly, stoically, turned them away.

For most of the 80 minutes, it was as fast and furious as an Origin spectacular, and with 50,000-plus fans on hand, the atmosphere buzzed on high voltage.

If they could do it all again in Sydney on grand final night, October 4, I would be truly delighted.

We’d have the fabled coach Bennett vying for an awesome eighth premiership, and the promising Green gunning for his and the club’s first.

For Thurston, a Cowboys grand final triumph would provide the icing on the cake he has personally baked in Townsville. He has been far and away the best player on the planet this year – why not finish with a premiership ring?

A title decider involving Brisbane would see veteran centre Justin Hodges get a chance to finish his career in the best possible way. Some love him, many more swear they hate him, but Hodges has been one heck of a player for 15 seasons in first grade.

Advertisement

Yes, I’d really like to see these two highly talented Queensland teams battle through the minefield of the weeks ahead and meet up again in the NRL decider.

Of course that would mean that the Bulldogs, Roosters, Sharks and the Storm miss out on The Big Dance and yes, each club has a special story to tell – a valid or even romantic reason to win the game that matters most.

But I’d love to see an end-to-end footy game in our season’s showcase. Easy on the wrestle and grind thanks, attack the crap out of each other, determine a winner, and take a well-deserved bow.

The odds of it happening are probably prohibitive, but I don’t mind a roughie. The beers seem to taste a lot better if you can jag one on the biggest day of the carnival.

Is there anyone out there – especially non-Queenslanders – who share my view?

close