As we near the completion of Round 2 of the NRL, both Dragons and Broncos supporters are taking their hats off and thanking critics.
Their sides have not only cast aside all doubts of their premiership credentials, but they have crushed all the haters with back-to-back victories.
Let’s go back one month to the pre-season.
Both the Broncos and the Dragons were getting slammed by critics who said that both teams were set for their worst seasons ever. Both coaches were apparently battling for the ‘first coach to be dumped’ title and every pre-season decision they made was hated by almost all.
The two teams were also said to be relying on one player – Ben Barba and Gareth Widdop for the Broncos and Dragons respectively – to spark their side.
Although each player has played well for the starting two games of the season, different players in each team have moved into the sensational footballer category instead.
For the Broncos, it was the likes of Dale Copley, Corey Parker and Andrew McCullough who rose to the occasion when their team needed them most. McCullough alone made 58 tackles and had over 110 possessions against the Cowboys on Friday night.
For the Dragons, big Tyson Frizell made his mark on the NRL floor in Round 1 with 34 tackles and 123 metres from just 12 runs.
Round 2 saw Brett Morris remind us of why he’s a Test centre, making over 200 metres from just 12 runs and executing a brilliant try.
I guess it’s lesson learnt for the critics – “shut your mouth until you know what you’re talking about”.
Their hate towards both teams has only ignited the players’ spirits and motivated them to perform twice as hard.
The Broncos and Dragons will undoubtedly continue to build on their statement to the critics over the coming round with the Broncos facing the solid Roosters and the Dragons up against the fast-building Sharks.
They then meet in Round 4 for a battle of the doubted and what could be, as it stands, the outright competition lead.
Muzz
Guest
Man i like Widdop and depending on who my dream team number 7 is i would probably take him ahead of JT. Broncos appear to have overcome their fade outs that were letting them down in past seasons and are finishing games of with plenty of energy. My team, the Chooks need to be weary of this as they are about 80% match fit with a short and moderate pre-season. Can't wait for this Friday.
Hez
Roar Rookie
Concur, and hopefully eating some humble pie. At least I feel better after the last fortnight than I have for months.
Mick the Clown
Guest
Seriously? The Chooks have halves who could not manufacture a try in round 1, are completely outplayed come origin time, have little vision, and are proven failures in big games.
Scrubbit
Guest
I'm just happy to finally see a relatively positive article for once.
Scrubbit
Guest
Good point. Brisbane were making easy metres at the end there when cowboys tried to muscle up, and having Hannant and Kennedy off the bench making some great runs at tiring Ds has been underrated.
planko
Roar Guru
My point was that Bronco's are tough at home. I did not refer to anything else ? All I said was that Bronco's are always tough at home ? I did not refer to round one in anyway please read a comment before commenting on it. We will only know how good the Canterbury win was when we watch tonight. I like to bronco's team. I just don't think anything was learnt by this result the weekend. I think we may have learnt some things about NQLD but not the bronco's
Jake
Guest
Broncos first game was in Sydney mate. Pretty sure that is not "home" for them?!?
dallas
Guest
The broncos pack looks to be the fittest in the comp and they have enough depth to field to starting packs. All this talk of them being to small is rubbish, ul never get on top of them if the dont stop running and tackling. They showed that against the cowboys against tamou and scott. Cowboys couldnt keep up with them for the full 80
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
What about the bombed try after Widdop chipped and recovered then passed to Farrell who did nothing and passed to the winger too soon.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
I think you have to add the Storm to that list of fancied teams. Some will disagree, but I think Eels, Dragons, Tigers, Panthers, Broncos all look like improving on last year. Titans and Sharks have done nothing, and may go backwards. Knights , Bulldogs, Warriors, look like they are standing still. Not sure about Cowboys. Could be an interesting battle for the wooden spoon.
Ken
Guest
Against Tigers was poor, I thought there was a great attitude against the Warriors though - especially in the second half. There was the one try they scored from close range when Widdop slipped over (there was a Cyclone going on so not a bad excuse) but apart from that they seemed really strong. Morris's special came after 3 repeat sets on the line.
Ken
Guest
I had no problems with Witt being selected in the first place, he was much sharper in pre-season. Williams did OK though on the weekend (his defence is a little suspect though, mostly just through being a small body I think). Couldn't really fault the coach with either of those choices, they've both done enough with neither of them really cementing the spot. Seems unlikely at this juncture, after already having 2 halfbacks for 2 wins, but I'd still like to see Stanley get the nod, with Witt on the bench. Stanley is playing a useful utility/dummy half role but Witt would be equally adept there. Farrell seemed a bit more involved on the weekend, would like to see more from him but don't think he's done anything worthy of being dropped from a winning side.
planko
Roar Guru
Good luck I will take 3 dollars against most teams with you guys. Maybe not Manly at Brookie but you will trouble a lot.
Ken
Guest
Point noted about the quality of the opposition Walter although at this stage of the season those who are 'fancied' are not necessarily going to be contenders. The Warriors and Cowboys were quite fancied a couple of weeks ago to be highly competitive and it hasn't gone so well. The Dogs don't look like the Top 4 contenders some were tipping (although to be fair they've only had 1 game). It would be silly to say that Roosters & Souths, with Manly tagging along, don't deserve top billing but I don't think anyone's proven anything yet.
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
perhaps, but the Dugan/Widdop combination is entirely attack related. To trouble the top sides our goal-line defence needs significant improvement. We showed some steel against the Warriors this weekend (although some of their sets on our goal-line were absolutely rubbish - almost Dragons of 2013 like!). Plus our defence on the goal-line last week against the tigers was poor as well; very soft. We have a long way to go before we will trouble any of the top sides in my opinion
Charles NSW
Guest
The Dragons have a long way to go no doubt about that! They conceded 12 points in both game in the first half and made some fundamental errors However what a coach wants is plenty of enthusiasm in a team if he wants to go forward They have that now but they need to build on it as it will only get tougher as they go along What is good is that Price is giving players an opportunity to shine and that creates excitement in itself
Dragons Forever
Guest
Good enough to make the 8 IMO. After that anything can happen. But still way off the chooks, manly, Souths etc
planko
Roar Guru
superstar I agree but they look good with Widdop though. I think if Dugan and Widdop can play some games where they both play I think they will trouble some teams that do have "credentials"...
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
"cast aside all doubts about their premiership credentials"? I think not. And I'm a Dragons fan! I'm very far from convinced that the Dragons are a top 8 team yet let alone an actual threat (top 4 team).
planko
Roar Guru
Despite me liking the way the dragons are lining up and I also love what Widdop is bringing to the dragons. I don't think anything really got learnt from these games. Bronco's are always tough at home Warrior's are a toss of the coin. A lot more got learnt from Manly Vs Souths and Melbourne Vs Penrith IMO