Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music sung about Love being a drug in the 1980’s. Well, there is another drug called hope and this year the Dragons have been guilty of drug dealing.
Like Parramatta the week before, Brisbane were red hot and timing their run into September to perfection. The Dragons, on the other hand, looked like a side playing on empty; both physically and mentally. In retrospect, the game against Souths was more of an indication of their current state.
I have said previously that I always thought that 2010 would be the Dragons year, but their performance this year gave us supporters hope; hope that miracles do happen.
Wayne Bennett is one of the great coaches, but to expect him to walk into a new club and guide them to the Premiership in his first year was akin to asking him to climb Everest in his first attempt.
The fact is, this season is one that Bennett and the team should be congratulated on, rather than ridiculed, as The Sun Herald did on their back page yesterday.
Not to mention the not-so subtle knifing Phil Gould gave in his post-match comments. Note to Gus: yes, the Broncos were well coached but after you say it twenty-odd times, one begins to wonder the true sentiments behind your comments.
In the end, the final four teams remaining are the form sides in the competition. Consequently, the Grand Final qualifiers coming up are shaping up to be the best two games of the season so far.
ANZ Stadium should be packed to the rafters for a game most Sydneysiders wish was played a week later. If Parramatta continues the form they showed against the Dragons and the Titans, they will beat Canterbury and have every chance of winning the Premiership from eighth spot.
The only chance the Dogs will have is if Brett Kimmorley takes the field to lead the side against the red hot Eels. Not only does he drive the attacking options but more importantly, he can read the game and direct the defence. This is essential to stop Moi Moi, Hindmarsh and Cayless making the yards to give room to Hayne and Mortimer (if fit).
Brisbane, on the other hand, will play Melbourne and look to reverse the heartbreaking result from Suncorp Stadium last year. If both sides take their ‘A Game’ on the field on Saturday night, it should be as good a game as the one on Friday night promises to be.
Brisbane railroaded the Dragons, and have plenty of strike weapons in the stable. I don’t think that the possible loss of Peter Wallace will have much of an adverse effect on them; not as much as losing Lockyer, Hunt or Folau would.
Melbourne is rightly the favourite for the competition. One has to look at their performance against the Sea Eagles in week one of the finals, and their probable team list, to see that there isn’t that much lost over the last four years; the last three resulting in Grand Final appearances. It will be evenly fought and at this stage, one that is too close to call.
Irrespective of who will win this week, this year’s Grand Final should be a closely fought and thrilling affair. I will be one Dragons supporter not on e-Bay this week.
Snake
Guest
Does that mean that if Henjak/Anderson/Moore become premiership coaches it would not be as big an effort as if Bennett won ? What about Moore, You'd think he has climbed Everest to get this far!
Fred Magee
Roar Pro
Matt, that is correct however all of those coaches have spent time at those clubs as assistant coaches at some stage. Admittedly, Daniel Anderson did spend a number of years away from Parra before going back all would have had some experience with the club, it's setup and the playing roster. With Wayne Bennett, it was walking into the place for the first time and the point I was trying to make was that to expect someone to do that and win the Premiership first up (even someone the calibre of Bennett) is unrealistic to the extreme. Doesnt stop us supporters wishing it but unrealistic it is. And yes, agree with your observations and the Dragons have no one to look at but themselves for being out of the semis. That said, I do think that they were spent physically and mentally three weeks out from the semis and that wouldnt have helped. Neither would have playing two of the red hot sides at the moment. The results would have been the same irrespective of where the games were played as well. Commentators do have a job and at times it is entertaining...but sometimes you can tell when it is pushing a particular barrow and this was certainly the case on Saturday night. And as for who I am backing...Im hoping that Rugby League is the winner! Seriously, no idea. Will reserve judgement until after the weekend.
MattRusty
Roar Pro
Wayne Bennett is one of the great coaches, but to expect him to walk into a new club and guide them to the Premiership in his first year was akin to asking him to climb Everest in his first attempt. Correct me if I'm wrong Fred, but don't the Eels, Bulldogs and Broncos also have first year coaches too? You must be backing the Storm 100% then? Ultimately the team that completes more sets of six wins the game. The coach can't do much about it when players drop the ball in good position. Sometimes it's not mental, it's just great defense that dislodges the ball or puts pressure on the opposition. Whoever controls the ball best in the final 240 minutes remaining in this season, will hold up the trophy. It is irritating to hear commentators criticize coaches at this point in the year, but hey, that's their job, they have to say something and it fills time. All teams and coaches that have come this far have done a brilliant job.