NRL Round 17: Three juicy talking points

Another shortened round ends and we are left to wonder, has Queensland only got one hope for this year’s premiership?

Here are some of the biggest talking points floating around in the NRL right now.

Brisbane continue to dig a hole
Last week I wrote that the Broncos were at a crossroads in their season. After their humiliating performance against Melbourne they have clearly chosen a direction to head in.

But is it a one-way ticket?

For all their poor form over the Origin period, the Broncos remain inside the top eight in seventh position. While their top four hopes seem dashed, the Broncos are too good a side to be completely discounted. Near unstoppable early in the season, Brisbane still have a healthy, albeit tired, side running around.

But momentum heading into the finals is everything.

The Broncos’ start to 2015 was average but once combinations started to click, they surged into the finals and went within seconds of coming home with it all.

The next nine weeks are therefore crucial to Brisbane’s campaign.

They begin with a bye and then face the Rabbitohs away. This is close to the perfect draw needed for the Broncos to get out of their rut. They don’t have to play without their Origin stars and those said players will only have to back up against one of the poorer sides the completion has to offer in Souths.

They then draw the Panthers at home and an away trip to face the Roosters. Both are winnable games and present an opportunity for Brisbane to correct their course.

Fail to take six points away and they’ll be nervously eyeing those below them.

Should North Queensland be content?
The first half of the Cowboys/Souths clash was mesmerising to watch. We had, in North Queensland, a team at the peak of their powers and executing their opposition with ruthless efficiency. The Rabbitohs never had a chance as Thurston and co. forced set after set, refusing to let South Sydney touch the ball. Souths fought hard in the tropical heat and refused to let the Cowboys run all over them but they were never in the contest. Maybe head office will think twice about taking a game against Queensland opposition to Cairns next time.

While Souths’ season is done and dusted, the Cowboys are headed in the complete opposite direction. Sitting four points behind Melbourne in third place, they are showing just how potent they can be at the right time of the year and are within reach of the Minor Premiership.

But should they just be happy with where they are?

Cronulla have a huge six-point lead in the race for the J.J. Gilitian shield and should easily win it, barring an extended drop in form. More to the point, would North Queensland benefit from maintaining a safe distance from the top two? History often favours the side that flies under the radar and all the commotion that is sure to be made around the Sharks as they search for a maiden premiership could well benefit such a side.

Paul Green may be quietly moving his pieces into play.

Warriors resurgence continues
Finally, the Warriors and Titans played out a contest that had huge bearings on the top eight race, if not for viewership figures.

Featuring two of the sides battling it out for that precious eighth position and with both on 16 points apiece, Saturday’s game was a winner takes all scenario.
And it was New Zealand, or perhaps more accurately Shaun Johnson, who delivered the goods when it mattered. With scores locked at 12-all heading into the final 20 minutes, Johnson once again proved the difference with a dazzling 60-metre run through the heart of the Titans defence to set up an important Warriors win.

The Titans have been brave all season but now seem destined to fall just short of what would have been a remarkable finals appearance. With four wins in five games, the Warriors are now set to embark on one of their renowned late season surges as they seek to atone for years past.

Who knows, perhaps we could have two teams looking to break droughts on grand final day?