Weekend Read: Why NSW Holds The Fate Of The Broncos’ Title Bid
According to BRENT READ, the fate of Brisbane's long-suffering title pursuit is in the blue hands of NSW State of Origin pair Adam Reynolds and Payne Haas rather than superstar Reece Walsh.
There was a dry spell of 17 years. For a team as dominant as the Brisbane Broncos, that's way too much time to wait. It's also been eight years since the club made it to the championship game, which is a long time to take in.
Due to the length of time that has passed, Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium has the potential to be a watershed moment for a team that was once a genuine powerhouse but has struggled in recent years.
As a result, many coaches and players have been let go during this time. A legendary coach in Kevin Walters and, oddly enough, a few players from New South Wales have brought the Broncos within striking distance of the championship.
Undoubtedly, Reece Walsh is a famous figure. He's one of the game's most exciting ball carriers. Actually, he's perhaps the most interesting player on the team.
The Broncos' success may be attributed, though, to players such as Adam Reynolds and Payne Haas, who bleed blue rather than maroon. They are going to need Reynolds and Haas to be the driving forces behind their victory over the Warriors and their return to the championship game for the first time since 2015.
One was in the control room, with his hands on the wheel, and the other was in the engine room. The motor in Haas is one that does not turn off. His numbers are indicative of the domination he exhibited in the middle of the field. He is constantly on the go and even carries his opponents on his back.
Addin Fonua-Blake, who usually stands on the opposite side of the field from him on Saturday nights, is most likely the only prop who can go with him. You could include James Fisher-Harris from Penrith in the conversation, but if I had to choose, I'd go with Haas.
He is a monster, and if he prevails in his battle with Fonua-Blake, it should throw open the floodgates for Reynolds, the former South Sydney star who was brought to the club to lead them to the promised land and now has it within touching distance. If he wins the duel, it should open the floodgates for Reynolds.
He is widely regarded as one of the club's best acquisitions ever. If Brisbane were to win the premiership, it would put a stop to all arguments and relieve the team's legions of fans.
This columnist is definitely in that category.
Saw Wally Lewis take defenders over the tryline and cause havoc in their debut game at Lang Park against Manly. As the Broncos cruised to a 44-10 victory, the King had a field day.
It took a while for the Broncos to get back on track after that, but once they did, they started winning championships left and right. If you count the Super League championship, it makes six. It seemed like they would keep coming, but that ended in 2006, and there have been few sightings since.
Brisbane haven't really given it a shake since their heartbreaking loss to North Queensland eight years ago, save for a preliminary final in 2017 when they were wiped out by the powerful Melbourne Storm.
They entered this year's playoffs having won just two of the previous seven championship games. Even though they beat Melbourne two weeks ago, it won't matter if they can't beat the Warriors this coming Saturday.
They are going in as favorites, as they should rightfully be. They have already won this season against the Warriors, so it feels like they should be able to win again at any time. That the Broncos are well primed for the challenge given that Reynolds is now playing as well as he ever has and that his supporting group merely has to be coached in the appropriate manner.
The window is wide open, and Reynolds needs to lead them through it before it closes again. If he is successful in doing that, then it is possible that the floodgates will be opened once more. They will have to let go of a few players at the conclusion of the season, but the club is putting in extra effort to ensure that the majority of their roster remains intact.
Penrith are suffering year after year of setbacks, and the Broncos are already gaining ground on them, which helps to keep them in check. It seems as though they are only a few steps apart.
All that is required is a victory on Saturday night. It is at this point in time.
A few words about Greg Alexander, who, after six years of competing in State of Origin with his close friend and Blues coach Brad Fittler, has made the decision to retire from the game.
During the course of their term, there were undoubtedly occasions when Alexander had the impression that the entire world, or at the very least the media, was working against him. This was especially the case in recent years as the results began to decline.
This columnist and Alexander engaged in their fair number of disagreements, the most notable of which was on the incredible pick of Newcastle center Bradman Best this season. (It turned out to be a masterstroke, mind you).
However, Brandy never failed to show up, was always a pleasure to work with, and consistently made an effort to assist in any way that he could. Alexander was unflinchingly truthful throughout the entire process, even when the Blues' coaching staff came under fire and the team's results began to deteriorate.
He looked his detractors straight in the eye and, most of the time, did it with a smile on his face. He made an effort to harbor no ill will against her. If he did, he did a good job of concealing it.
He just wasn't the type to act impolitely or dismissively. As the strain increased, the Blues began to hunker down; the carefree years that had preceded the Fittler-Alexander collaboration had given place to a newfound paranoia.
While Fittler's disposition soured, Alexander served as a counterbalance. To show the fans about Origin camp, he created a Tik Tok account. After games, he appeared on Fox League's NRL360 and was grilled by the hosts, to which he sometimes responded with clinched teeth.
However, he managed to pull it off. Repeatedly, many times. Whatever the outcome may be. All OK, I appreciate it, Brandy. We'll miss you, bro.