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The big story pre-game was the will he, won’t he saga of Darren Lockyer, and while it would have been epic (and could still be), it seems common sense has won. Join us from 7:45pm for live scores and blog of the Manly vs Broncos preliminary final.
The Broncos dressing room is full of young heads, and Lockyer was one of the old ones used to staring down the pressure and leading the Baby Broncos out the other side.
Moving in to replace him is Matt Gillett, who is a strong young player, but not a five-eighth by trade.
He has been instructed to play his own game and run the ball, so a lot of the play making pressure is likely to come on off Peter Wallace.
Captain-in-waiting and second rower of the year Sam Thaiday will be the man to build the inspiration, but it will be up to Peter Wallace to guide the team around the park, something he is used to doing in the absence of Lockyer due to Origin commitments.
Manly have the youngest halves combination in the game, yet absurdly they rank among best.
Both have the ability to take the game by the scruff of the neck, and both are more than willing to take the line on.
Indeed, if you turned on the television after years in exile from the NRL, you would swear they were at least five years older.
At every opportunity when they were destined to be too inexperienced, not up to the pressure, they have stepped it up a notch.
Key Match Up
The biggest one will be the battle of the halfbacks. Wallace has the experience, while Daly Cherry-Evans has the x-factor, and barring some kind of second year syndrome which is never cured, will be the premier halfback of the competition.
Cherry-Evans has the luxury of an unchanged game plan, and will be looking to feed his experienced men, who have gotten the job done before, and steer Manly into their third Grand Final appearance in five years
Wallace will have to make sure that the young team is focused and aware, and the job will be immense on such a big stage, and with the blow of one of the best players of the modern era watching on from the sidelines.
My Tip
Wayne Bennett claimed that Brisbane can’t win without Lockyer, and while I don’t agree, the most likely outcome is a Manly victory. Sea Eagles by 10.
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