The Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans and North Queensland Cowboys are winning the games they need to win when they need to win them but, even if they do make the eight, none of them can win the NRL premiership this year or in the near future.
Brisbane Broncos
A business associate of mine goes to the gym every morning with a former NRL player, and I’m fortunate enough to share in some of the opinions and conversations that are had.
One observation is that there has been a severe culture shift since Anthony Griffin has taken the reins at Red Hill.
Following the win over the Cowboys in North Queensland a couple of rounds ago, the Broncos’ change rooms saw celebrations akin to that of a grand final win – complete with singing and dancing.
Granted the win was preceded by three losses on the trot but it would be hard to imagine such celebrations in such a situation to have taken place under Wayne Bennett or even Ivan Henjak.
There would have been a couple of pats on the back but Bennett would have drilled into the team that one win was just that – one win.
The Broncos seem to have lost much maturity over the past five years and their recruitment policy doesn’t help the cause.
Gold Coast Titans
The Gold Coast Titans have boasted a strong and ever-improving roster since their inception and had many people talking when they finished in the top four for two consecutive years (’09 and ’10).
They collected the wooden spoon in 2011 and have since struggled to string consistent seasons of footy together.
They have been playing well in patches this season and it doesn’t help that three of their best players (Jamal Idris, Dave Taylor and Albert Kelly) are currently out due to injury, but even when they have been at full strength this season they’ve been unable to capitalise.
John Cartwright is a talented coach, no doubt, but surely a coach whose team has only made the preliminary finals once in six years with the players the Titans have possessed needs to at least be put under the microscope.
North Queensland Cowboys
Although Neil Henry comes across as an extremely genuine bloke, 100% committed to the Cowboys, the prolonged heartache his team has caused for its fans was enough for him to be shown the door.
I feel for him but I tend to agree with the decision to let him go.
The Cowboys can play unbeatable football when Johnathan Thurston is in form but have never had ball players of his ilk around which to build consistent premiership charges.
Their peak to date came in 2005, when they finished fifth in the regular season to come within a whisker of stealing a fairytale maiden premiership.
Following Graham Murray’s resignation, the Cowboys struggled on the park and haven’t been consistent contenders since.
Until the Titans and Cowboys become consistent footy teams and the Broncos gain experience and have a pair of experienced halves to run off, they will continue to finish the season as also-rans.
Linedropout
Roar Pro
They're talking about recruiting Neil Henry as assistant coach. Two coaches who have no idea how to win a premiership.
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
as long as John Cartwright is coaching the Titans, they wont have a chance
turbodewd
Guest
I suspect too many NQld players treat Townsville like a holiday destination at times. There seems to be a lack of hunger up there. THeir current roster looks pretty healthy and yet look at their ladder spot. Is the travel getting to them?! The Storm and Warriors have just as much travel...cant be that. Perhaps the attitude of their biggest salary cap dude is in the equation??? He certainly shows up for Origin, no doubt that about.
maximillian
Guest
I agree no QLD team can win it this year but I think its premature to think that no QLD team will win it in the near future. The Cowboys have the strongest roster of the QLD teams & may fulfil their potential under a new coach. They were also the runner up in the 2011 NYC competition so have some promising youngsters coming through the grades. If they select the right coach they can be a force in 2014 IMO.
maximillian
Guest
haha Sydney teams have 15 players that's actually quite funny, but doesn't explain the continued success of Melbourne? Oikee its not all doom & gloom, Barba said on Sterlo last night he was seeking a release to the Broncos which is massive for the club. Milford is also looking to move & they have just signed Kennedy. I think they'll make the 8 next year IMO.
oikee
Guest
It is very hard for any Queensland team to beat any of the Sydney teams when your playing against 15 players on the field at Sydney games. The refs have been destroying Queensland teams now for years. The Cowboys have been treated awful by the refs. Until the game take control of the refs and introduce a challenge system, this game is just filling in gaps for weak surburban Sydney clubs. You only have to look at a team like the Roosters or Manly how can buy any player they want, even Souths now, and the rest of the teams get the scraps. Brisbane must have gone through 2-3 teams over the last 5 years. Then you look at a team like Manly who have not lost any of their 5-7 superstars. Melbourne has 3 that they protect and so they should. We can all see you need to be above good to beat these Sydney teams stacked with as many superstars as they seem fit. You only have to look at the amount of players (i read somewhere this morning) that these teams will be releashing to play in the world cup this year. I heard Manly had 11, ??? ,,,,,,,, 11 players out of their squad for a world cup. That shows how much they have been allowed get away with over the last decade. Now compare that to the Broncos who have been stripped of talent, the Cowboys who cant get a roll on because the refs blow penalties in the first 20 minutes and kill them off. The only team who has stoood up to the refs is the Titans, and they vertually had to get Innes to whinge about them blowing penalty after penalty after Penalty. I now call this code the pretend league. Not really a true contest, just a Sydney contest. You need to look no further than the teams in the top 8. Not one Queensland team, the Titans hanging on for grim death, they get killed off soon enough. Look, Queenslanders have already packed the suitcase and all going on holidays, why hang around for the Sydney Grand final. We can all see it coming, Origin is worth the time, the NRL is not worth two bob.