The all Queensland grand final may be a win for Queensland rugby league but all I want is a North Queensland win.
The Brisbane Broncos, who won six premierships with master coach Wayne Bennett, never endured the lows the Cowboys had throughout the years.
From getting three wooden spoons in the formative years of 1995-2000 to finally making the finals in 2004 and beating the Broncos for the first time.
The 2004 win over the Broncos can be seen as a coming of age for the club. The very next year they made their first grand final, only to lose to Wests Tigers. From 2006-2010, the Cowboys only make the finals once – in 2007 – losing to Manly in the preliminary final.
After the horror 2010 season in which the Cowboys only avoided the wooden spoon due to the Storm salary cap scandal, the club began a clean-out of the roster. This become the foundation for the Cowboys’ current finals streak.
Since then we have seen the emergence of Michael Morgan who combined brilliantly with Thurston. Also, Jake Granville has filled in the hooker role nicely, providing the missing piece of the premiership puzzle since Aaron Payne retired in 2012.
The forwards led by co-captain Matt Scott have the size, skill and power to match the Broncos for 80 minutes. Overall, I expect the grand final to be a classic that will be determined in the closing minutes of the game. In the end, however, all I want to see is Johnathan Thurston lifting the trophy and claiming the maiden premiership.
One can dream but very soon it could become reality. Come Sunday everything will be answered.
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