The NRL season is underway and there has been surprises all over the shop. One of the best surprises we’re witnessing is the dominance of South-East Queensland teams.
The Brisbane Broncos and the Dolphins have been two of the best teams in the competition and look to be on a roll. Both sides are sitting inside the top four and are creating a serious rivalry.
The Fins haven’t gone down at all in the Dolphins campaign so far, as they’re incredibly 2-0 and are second in the standings.
I wouldn’t be counting my chickens too early; however, Wayne Bennet is working out what looked to be an impossible task.
There was little to no one that gave the Dolphins a chance in hell to defeat the Roosters in their opening match, however they proved everyone wrong for the first and won’t be the last time.
Despite the Fins’ Round 1 performance, they were still heavy outsiders in Round 2 when they faced the Raiders in their first game at Kayo Stadium.
Unfortunately, the weather turned out to be dreadful, although the brand-new squad was able to put an exact opposite play style of round one on display, in which they were also successful in.
They were able to grind, grind and grind. Wet weather footy structure was applied and their patience with the football was worth it. This game proved that the Dolphins’ opener was not a fluke and they’re serious, despite it being their first season.
On the other hand, the Brisbane Broncos have been equally, if not the most impressive team in the league.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Brisbane faced two top four clubs from 2022 and in both matches, every time they seemed like they were going to fold like usual, they turned into a brick wall and forced their opposition to work for every little thing.
Like last season, Brisbane starts the year 2-0. Despite beginning last season with a bang, four straight losses followed, and they seemed to be back to their 2020-21 ways.
That four-game nightmare period arguably cost red hill a spot in the finals. This proves that the Broncos can’t fall asleep in this upcoming period of matches, otherwise they could find themselves off track for finals footy.
Their next four games are moderate competition as they face the Dragons, Dolphins, Tigers and Raiders. Brisbane could win each of these games comfortably, however, any Broncos fan would know it’s not as easy as it sounds.
I wouldn’t completely write off any of these teams against Brisbane, as it’s very common for red hill too look very good one week, however, be stuck in the mud the next week.
The Broncos and Dolphins face-off for the first time in round four at Suncorp Stadium. If Brisbane are able to beat St George, and the fins are able to knock-off a depleted Newcastle side, then this means that both sides would be undefeated heading into Round 4.
This sets up an absolute cracker and the lead-up during the week will be phenomenal. This match will be the first of many to come in the competitive battle for Brisbane.
If Dolphins can beat the Broncos, then they will prove that their somehow even better than a lot of people think. On the other hand, if red hill wins, then it will insert early dominance over their South-East Queensland rival.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Over 50,000, no?!! :shocked:
brookvalesouth
Roar Rookie
Isn't it Phins?
matth
Roar Guru
Who both didn’t have the finances and demographic to even stay in the QCUP. They could have looked at Norths though, and Easts were trying for admission
matth
Roar Guru
Agreed, it’s a marketing dream
KenW
Roar Rookie
Have to disagree there. As a Dragons fan I get more out of them beating a traditional rival club like Dogs, Souths or Roosters than if they beat North Queensland. Decades of living with fans of those teams, cheering or slinking out of our respective home grounds - makes it more personal. Outside of RL, the biggest game in soccer the Melbourne derby and the biggest AFL matchup is also between Melbourne teams.
KenW
Roar Rookie
Spot on. The true Dolphins test this year will definitely be later in the year when the novelty has worn off. This strong early form is giving them their best shot though.
KenW
Roar Rookie
The Broncs are pretty unhappy about Redcliffe’s admission, hence the “this is our city” jersey for the first clash. And I can tell you that at Dolphin Oval on Saturday there was very little love for the Broncos among the average Redcliffe punter. Same on the Dolphins fan pages. Whether or not the Broncos are truly unhappy about Redcliffe's admission, it certainly helps for them to imply it. A genuine high intensity rivalry between the 2 Brisbane teams would be massive for both of them.
Ad-O
Guest
Agreed. Local rivalries aren't that much of a thing in Australian sport like they are overseas. The real rivalries are between states.
Ad-O
Guest
Redcliffe aint in Brisbane. If they wanted to bring back a real Brisbane team it shoulda been Valleys or Brothers.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Which would have been Western Suburbs, I would have thought - even though Lidcombe is further than Parra.
matth
Roar Guru
Definitely not. It will be likely 60/40 at best. There is a big groundswell of Dolphins support. The merchandise sales have been off the charts. They have sold a lot of memberships apparently. At the very least pretty much the entire 10,000 at Dolphin Oval were wearing Phins gear, so there’s 20% of Suncorp’s capacity. My son went to the Roosters game and said around 20,000 of the 35,000 had supporters gear on. A mildly interested Broncos fan isn’t going to shell out on second team merchandise. The test won’t be round 4 it will be round 20 when the excitement wears off, the season grinds on and they are in a five game losing streak. Then we will know how much support there really is. I’d say a hard core 15,000-20,000
matth
Roar Guru
I have no idea, it’s more the concept that a when a team is promoted to the top grade that it’s automatically assumed their fan’s previously all supported the nearest geographical team. The funny thing about me arguing against this is that, this is exactly what I did! 1970’s to 1988 supported Redcliffe in the BRL and Canterbury in the NSWRL. From 1988 all in on the Broncs, while keeping an interest in Redcliffe in the QRL. 2023 back to the Dolphins. So I guess I am the example that supports you :laughing:
JennyFromPenny
Guest
My thinking is that much of the little brother support is from fans who support Broncos as no.1 without question. So will support Redcliffe in any other game, except this one, where they will dessert their allegiance and the crowd will suddenly be 95% Bronco for the day.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
No, Penrith never supported Parramatta. At least, I wouldn't have thought. Albo, could you please qualify for matth that this wasn't the case. (Please)
matth
Roar Guru
Jenny that’s just like saying before 1967 all Penrith fans were Parramatta fans so there can’t be a ‘true’ rivalry. It’s plain wrong. There is definitely not 100% support for the Broncos in SEQ. Having said that there is a tendency in QLD to say QLD first, so even though there is a big rivalry with the Cowboys for example, most Broncos fans will still support the Cowboys against any southern team. It will be the same with Redcliffe So I guess it depends on your definition of rivalry. Does there need to be dislike for it to be a rivalry like Souths and Easts, or can there be a rivalry with mutual respect. There are actually a large group of Dolphins fans in each of the respect and dislike camps The Broncs are pretty unhappy about Redcliffe’s admission, hence the “this is our city” jersey for the first clash. And I can tell you that at Dolphin Oval on Saturday there was very little love for the Broncos among the average Redcliffe punter. Same on the Dolphins fan pages. There are many in Brisbane who still blame the Broncos for the gutting of the Brisbane Rugby League, the Super League war and for the demise of the Crushers. Others dislike them due to their News Limited connection and how the papers fawn over them . And others just because they are rich and who will support the perceived underdog. There will be over 40,000 at Suncorp. And they won’t be singing Kumbaya.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Not much doubt prior to this year, Redcliffe fans were overwhelmingly Bronco fans, and from this year on, the Broncos fans also now support their fellow Brisbanians. So not sure how a rivalry can ever develop between two teams that effectively have the same set of fans.
Christo
Roar Guru
Fins up!
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Go Redcliffe!
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! It will be a mouth watering clash , no matter what happens this weekend. :stoked: