The Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys are on track to not only finish one-two on the ladder, but also face off in the NRL’s first ever all-Queensland grand final.
Can any other team can stop the Maroon decider?
The Broncos have reemerged as premiership contenders this year after luring Wayne Bennett home following six years away from the club. Their strong form this season, in which they have dropped just three matches, has them on track to win their first minor premiership since 2000.
2015 NRL GRAND FINAL KICKOFF TIME
Four times previously the club have finished first at the end of the regular season, and on each occasion they have gone on to win the premiership. Thus, if the Broncos finish first after Round 26, their fans will have reason to believe that their club can mount the premiership dais.
Doing so would see the club end a nine-year premiership drought, the longest in club history. During that time, the Broncos farewelled Bennett for a first time in 2008, before going through the Ivan Henjak (2009-10) and Anthony Griffin (2011-14) eras for only moderate success.
The Broncos squad is capable of winning the premiership this year, with halves Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt being lauded as the club’s greatest 6 and 7 pairing since Kevin Walters and Allan Langer in the 1990s.
Darius Boyd has returned to top form after an Achilles injury, while Justin Hodges is showing no signs of slowing down even though his retirement from the game is imminent.
The side most likely to challenge the Broncos for the premiership is the Johnathan Thurston-led North Queensland Cowboys, whose one and only shot at the NRL premiership was thwarted by the Wests Tigers in 2005.
After a slow start to the season had the critics questioning their premiership credentials, the Cowboys have lost just once (against the Sharks in Round 16) to currently be sitting second on the NRL ladder.
Thurston, who doesn’t consider himself to be a premiership player despite featuring as a utility in the Bulldogs side that won in 2004, would love nothing more than to lead his beloved club to its maiden premiership.
The possibility of a Broncos versus Cowboys grand final remains high, and that would be the last thing New South Wales fans would want to endure, having already seen their state surrender the Origin shield in humiliating fashion.
The Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs are the two clubs that appear capable of stopping the all-Queensland grand final, with the premiers of the last two seasons sitting behind the two Queensland clubs in third and fourth place on the ladder.
Despite losing Anthony Minichiello and Sonny Bill Williams at the end of last season, and losing four matches in a row earlier this season, the Roosters are the bookies’ premiership favourites.
Trent Robinson’s men have won nine of their last ten matches, the only blot being an upset loss to the Cronulla Sharks in Round 13, to be among the biggest movers on the ladder in the last few months.
Mitchell Pearce has performed consistently at club level this season and will bring up his 200th NRL game against the Bulldogs on Friday night, becoming the youngest player in history to do so. He and Jake Friend have performed well as co-captains this season, while Blake Ferguson has proven his worth with the Chooks after spending a year away from the game following his sacking from Canberra at the end of 2013.
Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs have been inconsistent in their premiership defence, not managing to win more than three matches in a row at any stage this season.
They have also lost to lowly clubs the Parramatta Eels and Wests Tigers (but did defeat these two clubs in other matches), and between Rounds 4 and 10 logged just two wins against five losses.
However, if last week’s Greg Inglis-led 52-6 humiliation of the Newcastle Knights is anything to go by, the club won’t be giving up their crown without a fight.
The Bunnies face a tough run home, including a Thursday night trip to Townsville to face the Cowboys, a return home fixture against the Broncos who will pose a different threat to the side that lost 36-6 at home in Round 1, and then the Roosters in the final round in a match that could decide third place.
And so, with the likelihood of an all-Queensland grand final looming, it’s up to the Roosters and Rabbitohs to sabotage those plans and perhaps salvage some pride for New South Wales.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Plus the Bunnies blitzed everything at the start of the calender year. WCC Nines the early rounds, no wonder they had a bit of a fade, then they had an awful run with injuries and whatnot. I can see them going far, the acid test for them and the Cowbies will be their game in regular season. Should give both coaches a good idea if their "year plan" is the right one. I'm salivating for a Qld derby though.
Wayne Lovell
Roar Guru
Any combination of those will be a great Grand Final, I am not really game enough to pick past that weekend. Hope yes, predict no.
Brett
Guest
The next few weeks for the Broncos will be interesting. If they can beat the Roosters and Rabbitoh's, their chances of a GF appearance increases drastically. If they lose, you're probably right in predicting a Roosters v Rabbitoh's GF.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Maybe if half a brain is all they have bud..
Chris
Guest
Roosters Souths final. Both teams really hitting form, finals experience will be vital.
Roy
Guest
Anyone with half a brain can see that Easts and South's, the last two premiers are the best teams.
Little Red Rooster
Guest
Too big, too fat, too slow and too ordinary are the Dogs.
Brumby Jack
Guest
Spot on Epiquin. Souths are starting to time their run home very nicely and the clash against the Cows in a few weeks time will likely be a GF preview. Souths v Cows grand final in 2015!
Griffo
Guest
Really? So how come they haven't won the most games?
Alex L
Roar Rookie
This is an odd year, a small part of me thinks finishing 5th or 6th for a Sydney based team is safer than 3rd or 4th and having to deal with the QLD sides at home then travelling back, with the hope of getting them a bit rusty after the bye week. The Roosters might be able to spring the trap on one of the QLD sides, and you can't discount an ugly win from the Sharks or Bulldogs if they can turn the game into more brawling than ball playing.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
I think Reynolds getting suspended has fixed that problem. Reynolds is a bench player for the rest of the season. Mbye needed time due to having a kid, that's all over now. Mbye won't be giving back his spot, not to mention his kicking game is much better than Reynolds. The next 3 weeks they need to be trending upwards. Even if that means win one of three, that's fine as long as they are improving.
Roy
Guest
It will be a Roosters v souths gf. the two best teams
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Judging by the playing ability and the individual qualities of the star players,of the top 5 sides currently positioned on the ladder,I would have no objection for any dual combination of any of them participating in the Grand Final. Why? Because one can envisage an attacking brand of rugby league,rather than a ho hum structured defence laced one,with more lateral than forward movement.Additonally the opportunity to observe the quality of play and the off the cuff approach of players such as the Thurstons,Inglises,Cronks,Roger TSheck,Hunts. Of course as a non biased fan,I would have no objection should the Sharks happen to hit the big one,so Valentine Holmes can display his magic.
Jimmmy
Guest
No MS we get strangled. There is a difference!
Joe
Roar Rookie
I'm also a biased supporter and I think Storm definitely have a chance especially if they can get in the top 4. As you've said the next 4 games they will need to bank points and the last two against the ladder leading Broncs/Cowboys they get them the week after those two teams have play the Rabbitohs. They play the Cowboys at AAMI so they will have a chance and they get the Broncs up at Brisbane where the Storm have a very good record including finals. I think the best chance for the Storm is to get into 4th (hope Rabbits drop a game) and face the Broncs in the first semi. The main issue with the Storm though is a lack of gun outside backs with Tohu Harris having to play centre and Munster at fullback...Munster is good but he's not Billy Slater who will win you a premiership...e.g GF 2012. The key though is the next 4 games...these teams who get knocked out of contention are always happy to play spoiler so they won't be easy games.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
My biggest concern about the Dogs is that they don't have any confidence in their halves. They've got 3 good halves and only two spots and they can't make up their mind on what combination they want. Plus Hokko has been inconsistent and Reynolds has fired but is a liability. If they had a settled halves pairing I would be more inclined to back them.
Brett
Guest
Come finals time, the current top 5 teams have a good chance to reach the Grand Final in my view. They are all playing well.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Yeah, agreed. Good stuff MM.
Kingcowboy
Guest
I think they need to start and finish with Mybe in their starting line up. The kid is the one true difference maker in the Dogs squad. Hey DOW, like I have said previously, I am sure the cows would be more than happy to give him a starting spot in our side next year. You guys stole Rona, so you owe us. JT doesn't count anymore, ha ha.
Kingcowboy
Guest
I fail to see your point. I am not disputing that she is an excellent journalist but no one is perfect and in my opinion I think she was wrong. Kate may yet be proven to be correct but based on the current information, the cows have done nothing wrong.