If the form shown by the Brisbane Broncos and Sydney Roosters throughout this season is anything to go by, then Saturday night’s showdown between the current top two teams could serve as a preview to this year’s NRL grand final.
The Broncos and Roosters have been the two clear stand-out sides this season, with the former club rediscovering their premiership-winning potential under Wayne Bennett and the latter club having notched up nine straight wins since early June.
A lot has been said about the Broncos and how they have reemerged as a premiership contender in 2015 after Bennett returned to the club following six years away.
In his absence, the club was coached by Ivan Henjak and Anthony Griffin for two and four years respectively, but despite reaching a preliminary final in the first year each of those tenures, the Broncos were deemed to have underachieved.
However, with Bennett back at the helm this season, the club has rediscovered the aura that saw them win six premierships between 1992 and 2006, and with three rounds to go in the season currently sit on top of the ladder.
After being thrashed by reigning premiers South Sydney in Round 1, it was thought that the Broncos still had a lot of work to do if they were to again become the powerhouse club they once were during Wayne Bennett’s initial 21-year stint between 1988 and 2008.
Since then, the club has surged to the top of the ladder on the back of impressive form from core players of Darius Boyd, Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt, among others, and are in prime position to clinch their first minor premiership since 2000.
However, they do face a huge challenge this weekend when they take on the second-placed Sydney Roosters, who will be looking to extend their winning streak to ten matches at Allianz Stadium this Saturday night.
Only the North Queensland Cowboys (eleven wins in a row between Rounds 4 and 15 inclusive) have won more matches in succession this season, and not since 2002-3 have the Roosters won ten matches in a row.
Trent Robinson’s men had initially struggled to adapt to life after club legend Anthony Minichiello. Sonny Bill Williams, who was credited for turning the Roosters’ culture around, was also missed with the club losing five of their first eight games of the season.
The four-game losing streak between Rounds 5 and 8 was the worst since Robinson took over as coach at the start of the 2013 season and came after Blake Ferguson suffered an ankle injury that could have sidelined him for up to four months.
Their good form has also been attributed to not only the leadership shown by co-captains Mitchell Pearce and Jake Friend this season, but also the former’s ability to bounce back from yet another State of Origin disappointment.
The Broncos and Roosters met in a thriller at Suncorp Stadium earlier this season with the hosts winning in golden point extra time via a try to halfback Ben Hunt.
The previous meeting before that saw the Roosters score two tries in the final five minutes to stun the Broncos 30-26 after they had been down 18-26, also at Suncorp Stadium.
Their last meeting at Allianz Stadium, the venue for this Saturday night’s showdown between the two competition heavyweights, saw the Roosters grind their way to an 8-0 victory early in the 2013 season en route to the premiership.
If those last three matches, and the form shown by both clubs so far this season, is anything to go by, then not only will Saturday night’s clash shape as the minor premiership decider, but also a possible preview of this year’s NRL grand final.
Highlighting the importance of this match are the two clubs’ percentages. Though the Broncos are only a game clear of the Roosters on top of the ladder, the second-placed Chooks’ points differential is +223 while the Broncos’ is +169.
It means that if the Roosters win, not only will they join the Broncos on top of the ladder, they will also take the competition lead with two rounds still to play after the conclusion of Round 24.
They would also bid to become the first team since the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in 1995-6-7 – other than the salary cap-cheating Melbourne Storm – to win three consecutive minor premierships and the first since the NRL was formed in 1998.
Otherwise, a Broncos win would see them almost certainly lock up the minor premiership, which would be their fourth overall but first since 2000.
After this weekend, the Roosters will face the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and South Sydney Rabbitohs in their final two matches, while the Broncos will return to Allianz Stadium for the second time in six days to take on the Rabbitohs before finishing their regular season against the Melbourne Storm at home.
Thus, the race for the minor premiership will go down to the wire, with this Saturday night’s match between the Roosters and Broncos to go a long way towards deciding who will finish this season on top of the ladder.
That being said, you can also expect both clubs to throw everything at each other as they test out their premiership credentials in front of what is expected to be a huge crowd at Allianz Stadium.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Yeah. Had this one pencilled in for a while now. I will be looking forward to seeing Latrell get a run. Gee the raps don't come much bigger than what I am hearing about him. Don't know how much wing he has played though so hopefully Bennett is smart enough to catch him out of position a bit. Reed is a big loss. He was having a Stella season before his injury. Copley played really well last weekend though and deserves another crack. Oates is one of those guys, you know he isn't a winger, but he keeps dishing up top class performances. Earlier in the week I was hoping the judiciary let Aiden and Blake off because I wanted a real test. But now with those 2 Broncos out it would have been nice not to have to deal with them. Either way, no excuses. The warm up Cowboys game should be a cracker too. Tonight's game should have plenty of fireworks. Especially after the last meeting. No real preference on a winner so it will just be a good contest. I think the Bunnies will get up. They seem to be coming good and the Dogs just haven't convinced me this year. Lichaa will be a massive loss. Good luck to all.
Muzz
Guest
I love this time of the year! There's a battle for the top 2/ home final and an equally intriguing duel to finish in the top 4 and get a second bight of the cherry if required. Then you have Dragons, Dogs and Manly vying for 7th/8th. You may see young Latrell Mitchell make his 1st grade debut on the wing tomorrow night with Elliot out injured.Huge occasion for an 18 year old. Moa may also be a late inclusion. I hear you've made a few changes to your 3/4s with Reed, Maranta out Oates Copley in.Not bad depth in your outside backs. I'm really looking forward to tonights Souths v Dogs game. It should be a smash up derby.
Jay C
Roar Guru
I know Muzz. And we get a nice little juicy entrée tonight. 3 good games this weekend. Which makes me wonder why they put Tigers and Panthers on a Thursday night.
Muzz
Guest
1 more sleep.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Your bitterness fills my heart with joy. Here's to another 40 years between drink for the rabbit sellers.
steveng
Roar Rookie
You must be a Broncos fan and a true Queenslander! So you mean to tell me that the NRL competition should be changed and the trophy should be given to the Broncos because they might win the minor (minor is correct) premiership in 2015 and the only one since 2000. Give us a break and pull your head out of the sand!
steveng
Roar Rookie
What a joke "Roosters and Broncos to clash in potential grand final preview" the Broncos won't make the grand final. If you write the Rabbitohs off it will be at your own peril. I've heard this all season long, but what's happened to the Broncos vs Cowboys grand final? That was the favourite clash "until now"!
littleredrooster
Guest
Manly will finish ninth and Souths will not finish in top four. This weekend is the beginning of the end for both. i wont miss them come Prelim final weekend...the NRL will miss them however, they put bums on seats. Three minor premierships in a row? The best team of the season usually gets the minor premiership...
littleredrooster
Guest
think youll find, renegade that if anyone got "beaten into submission"a couple of weeks ago, it was the dogs...too big, too fat, too slow and too $tupid...
Jacksyd
Guest
The roosters have had a dream draw through origin to now and if their form over the past 2 games is any indication, there will have to be a big improvement with broncos, manly and souths coming up, especially the latter 2.
up in the north
Guest
Well I'll continue being contrary and say that the finals actually detract from what should be a crescendo to the regular season. The idea that half of the competition goes into another round robin mini tourney is ridiculous. Where's the prestige in being the best after 26 weeks of constant grime and struggle. (Hunters & Collectors).
up in the north
Guest
Well no. That's the thrust of my point. I don't believe either the Bronc's or Chooks will beat Souths. I do also think that Bellyache has the wood on uncle Wayne. Plus I strongly believe a motivated Cowbies outfit can beat the Storm. So by my reckoning if the Bronc's drop two games and the Chooks drop two the Cowboys go into outright lead. ? That's assuming it goes to script in my fantasy.
Jay C
Roar Guru
The minor premiership is a distracting. The finals start in September
Jay C
Roar Guru
That is unbelievable
pete bloor
Guest
He did say "almost certainly" because they do have a 90 point F/A lead so if the broncos win then they only need to grab one of the remaining two games (Souths A, Storm H) so if your assuming the boys have the goods against the storm going away to Melbourne then surely you've got to assume that the broncos will so likewise at suncorp? It will be a very tough ask for the cowboys to take the MP if the broncos win.
up in the north
Guest
Good read MM cheers. Got a small issue with some of your assumptions though, nothing too critical. You say "Otherwise, a Broncos win would see them almost certainly lock up the minor premiership, which would be their fourth overall but first since 2000." What you're assuming is that the Cowbies can't win their three remaining games, while I think neither the Bronc's or Chooks will win their next three. A lot is going to come down to the Bunnies and how they perform. Are they going to finish the season as they started it? We're nowhere near being close to an idea which way it'll go yet. Exciting huh. Does anyone know how to figure out the match day schedule for the finals ? Like does #1 v #4 @ #1 on the Friday night or is it still a secret. I have tried to work it out and I have just about given up. Need to organize a bus trip to Townsvegas to wear my tinfoil hat.
pete bloor
Guest
Irony is Jay C I've got a spare half way seat and can't get any of my mates that are broncos fans to come along.
Renegade
Roar Guru
2012 - Storm vs Dogs They key to beating the Roosters is dominating the game in the forwards, owning the battle for field position and basically belting them into submission. If you can do that - your half way towards a win. Then you just need to make sure your team is clinical and disciplined. The Sharks have beaten the Roosters twice using that method - Brisbane, Melbourne and the Dragons had success earlier in the year using the tact and the Bulldogs almost stole the game off them a few weeks back with the same strategy. Whether Brisbane have the grunt in the middle is the key... you need an 80 minute performance against the Roosters but they are definitely beatable. Also, as you stated Jay - Brisbane can't give up easy ground as they have been doing. I'm really looking forward to this game... absolutely love this time of the year!
Jay C
Roar Guru
The bookies have the Roosters as strong favourites. The high bombs to Tupou will be a concern. The showdown between jwh and Thaiday will be worth the process of admission. Should get a massive crowd you would think. ..
RT
Guest
Roosters by plenty.