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After another disappointing season relative to high expectation, the Broncos’ faith in their youth system’s production, when tested against the rest of the NRL, appears to be waning. At least a little.
Last season, Brisbane seemed to run out of ideas, especially following Origin, losing seven games from nine following Origin, including the first elimination round against rivals the Cowboys, for an average of only 14 points per game.
The halves partnership intended to carry them through the post-Lockyer era of Corey Norman and Peter Wallace did not eventually gel – even despite the mutterings of Dally M contention for Wallace (mutterings that soon silenced).
They can expect further trouble now that the Langer-era has ended at the Broncos, bizarrely a whole year after Lockyer; his on-field direction, even as physio, pretty evident in any plays executed by the Broncos during his times on the field.
What began as taunting, that Allan Langer was still carrying the Broncos on his back, soon turned to the realisation that they were actually a better side with him playing second-fullback, directing the team.
With the highest overall win percentage of any team in the NRL, Brisbane’s dominance in Queensland is clear. Evidenced every Friday night, as Brisbane’s two greatest five-eighths man each game coverage for the Broncos, leaning over impatiently as if trying and failing to live vicariously, now, through a Brisbane side markedly lacking in halfback firepower.
They appear frustrated, and at times almost accepting of defeat, or at least lack of quality.
The insecurity arising from this within Brisbane is understandable, how can a back up HB and a youngster really replace players whose statues already decorate the front porch of Suncorp?
Brisbane last season were well and truly surpassed by little brothers North Queensland, announced by the ceremoniously easy knockout of a lacklustre Brisbane side from the Cowboys that score the most points of any team in the competition per game.
When the Cowboys went to the grand final in 2005, eventually losing to the Wests Tigers in Johnathan Thurston’s breakout year, Brisbane responded. Going one further than the Cowboys in 2006, winning the competition with their own chosen son Lockyer having a career-best season.
In 2013, the Broncos would like to make a statement, but their faith in their young and established talent to carry them forward is being tested; Griffin, Gee and the rest of the Broncos’ key staff appearing very willing to sacrifice much of the integrity of their intentions to pull in a superstar.
The captain of Queensland rivals the Gold Coast Titans’ halfback Scott Prince already snared, Brisbane still appear to have all eyes on Thurston. Rejected by the Brisbane youth system at the time for being too slow, too skinny, Thurston was shopped around for even the slightest opportunity of first grade.
Winning the Dally M twice and aiding the team to become the most riveting attacking force in the NRL, the amount Thurston means to the Cowboys is massive.
The Broncos’ focus on the youth system of the moment seems almost to emerge from guilt, a team that also declined the services of Cameron Smith – who eventually defected to a team, in Melbourne, far more resourceful with its talent.
While other clubs have had to adapt to survive competitively, the Broncos have simply continued to dominate the years with their magnitude alone.
Perhaps the focus on the youth system is atonement, or merely a reaction to questionable seasons in recent years.
If they manage to purchase Thurston from the Cowboys, it will be a massive boost for the Broncos following into the 2013 season.
Even if Thurston plays for the Cowboys in 2013, the promise of a 2014 contract with the Broncos would signal once again, that the Broncos still have the upper hand in Queensland.
To claim ownership of the two halfback/captains of their only two geographical rivals, might be a necessary second best for a team that really isn’t ever used to losing for too long.
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