The all Queensland grand final may be a win for Queensland rugby league but all I want is a North Queensland win.
The Brisbane Broncos, who won six premierships with master coach Wayne Bennett, never endured the lows the Cowboys had throughout the years.
From getting three wooden spoons in the formative years of 1995-2000 to finally making the finals in 2004 and beating the Broncos for the first time.
The 2004 win over the Broncos can be seen as a coming of age for the club. The very next year they made their first grand final, only to lose to Wests Tigers. From 2006-2010, the Cowboys only make the finals once – in 2007 – losing to Manly in the preliminary final.
After the horror 2010 season in which the Cowboys only avoided the wooden spoon due to the Storm salary cap scandal, the club began a clean-out of the roster. This become the foundation for the Cowboys’ current finals streak.
Since then we have seen the emergence of Michael Morgan who combined brilliantly with Thurston. Also, Jake Granville has filled in the hooker role nicely, providing the missing piece of the premiership puzzle since Aaron Payne retired in 2012.
The forwards led by co-captain Matt Scott have the size, skill and power to match the Broncos for 80 minutes. Overall, I expect the grand final to be a classic that will be determined in the closing minutes of the game. In the end, however, all I want to see is Johnathan Thurston lifting the trophy and claiming the maiden premiership.
One can dream but very soon it could become reality. Come Sunday everything will be answered.
NF
Roar Guru
9 years is nothing compared to what Cowboys fans are waiting for a premiership. 20 year wait for a potential maiden premiership would be well worth the wait. 2nd Brisbane team should be in along time ago, even go as far as when the Broncos entered the comp in 88 there should of being another Brisbane team from the get go.
GTW
Guest
Queensland is always the winner, much like Texas is in the States. Neither of these States realise that no one else is even aware there's a race.
GTW
Guest
In reality, Milford is the little Aussie Battler, except he shot the people who paid for him and his family to live for 5 years right between the eyes, and as soon as he could. So no, maybe he can go get stuffed.
GTW
Guest
Surprised that the Bronx haven't won for 9 years - which proves they've massively underperformed with the advantages they have. A flexible salary cap, a one team big-ish City, endless TPA opportunities, massive FTA advantages, advertising opportunities, stealing Milf, etc etc. The Cowboys are easy to like, the Broncos easy to hate. If the Broncos win, make it two new teams in Brisbane, that should put a stop to their party!
NF
Roar Guru
Records are meant to be broken and come Sunday the Broncos undefeated GF streak might comes to an end. A premiership would do more for NQ than Brisbane easily they won 6 already and even despite all that success got over-taken by the Lions/Reds in attendance every now and again in there existence. What would premiership 7 really do in the Brisbane sporting landscape not much with the Broncos being king for now and the rest of the Brisbane sportings teams being terrible.
Grand Armee
Guest
Brisbane hasn't won a premiership in 9 years, so I am not sure what the grand final record means for this group of players.
Avatar
Roar Guru
As much as I'd love to see a Cowboys win this Sunday night, unfortunately I think the Broncos will win, given their more successful record in Grand Finals (six from six). They'll also be eager to send Justin Hodges out on a winning note, like they did with Shane Webcke in 2006 when they defeated the Melbourne Storm in the Grand Final. All I can say is bring it on and regardless of the result on Sunday night, Queensland will always be the winner.
Richard Maybury
Guest
I agree, Most of the country would be favouring a Cowboys win but I think that it is more about Thurston than it is about the Cowboys. Thurston is the complete RL player. He epitomises what this game is really all about. He is a battler, he is skillful, he is tough, he has a big heart, he plays for his team - his mates and his fans. He gives them everything - every last little bit of effort, every last bit of energy and every last bit of skill until there is nothing left. But above all, he is a gentleman in every sense of the word. That is why people all across the country admire him and Johnathon is the real reason that much of Australia will be shouting for a Cowboys Grand Final win.
Jarijari
Guest
I think it would be a very popular win, NF. Vast majority in NSW are not with Broncos. I do think Thurston has reached the stage where he is almost universally admired as one of the game's all-time greats. So I'm with you mate, go the Cowboys.
Jarijari
Guest
I think it would be