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Winning a premiership in the NRL is one thing. Defending the crown – well, that it is a completely different story.
It’s been 21 years since the Broncos managed to go back-to-back, winning successive premierships in 1992 and 1993. Of course, the Broncos won premierships in 1997 and 1998 as well, but there will forever be an asterisk besides that feat due to Super League.
On Tuesday, former NRL player – and Roar expert – Steve Turner declared the Roosters sure things heading into this year’s finals series.
Now, I am by no means declaring the Bondi boys home and hosed just yet. But I can certainly see where Steve is coming from.
Because it all seems a bit familiar, doesn’t it? For those who don’t necessarily remember, in Round 26, 2013, the Roosters and Rabbitohs squared off, with the winner to ultimately be deemed the best side after 26 rounds.
The Roosters got the better of the Bunnies on that occasion, and in the process, showed us all why they would go on to be crowned the eventual premiers some four weeks later.
Tonight the two sides meet once more, and the winners will put themselves in the box seat to finish the season as minor premiers.
Manly will have to defeat the Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday night to leapfrog back into top spot – and from what we’ve seen thus far in 2014, that’s not the easiest of tasks.
While Trent Robinson’s men haven’t been anywhere near as good as they were in last season, I can’t help but sit back and think ‘well, here we go again’.
Having notched five successive wins, a sixth tonight would go a long way towards them being crowned champions once more.
Of course, there are many variables to consider in that discussion. A loss, and we could very well be back at ANZ next week where we’ll do this fixture all over again.
They could be bundled out of the finals with consecutive losses and I could be made to look very stupid.
Put all that aside though. Because this Roosters side is largely unchanged from the 17 players that were declared premiers last October.
Whether the end result also remains unchanged – well, we’ll have to wait and see.
Do you think the Roosters can go back to back?
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