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By Michael Hagan - 29/8/11
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After Friday night's torrid and explosive match at Brookvale, a heap of critics and pundits are tipping Manly and Melbourne will contest this year's NRL Grand Final.
Well, I am not so convinced.
Yes they are both strong sides and, yes, they are both well-coached.
But I have to admit that I am a huge Brisbane Broncos fan and I think Anthony Griffin's men will be there for the October 2 decider at ANZ Stadium.
I am not sure who they will play but I reckon Darren Lockyer's final NRL match will be a grand final.
And he deserves it.
Everything seems to be slipping into place for Brisbane.
Their for and against in recent weeks has been exceptional and they have plenty of depth.
There is also the Lockyer factor.
The emotion will be running high in Brisbane to ensure one of the game's greatest players has that fairytale farewell experienced by guys like Mick Cronin, Ray Price, Royce Simmons, Mal Meninga and Shane Webcke.
Over the final three rounds the Broncos have played Newcastle at Ausgrid and then Souths at home and this week they have Manly.
That's three tough matches and they will be match-hardened going into the finals.
Brisbane kept Souths to just 10 points on Sunday - not bad given the Rabbitohs had been averaging about 30 points a game over the past three weeks.
The Broncos are young yet resilient and still hope to have centre Justin Hodges return from injury.
And I am positive Lockyer will keep a lid on the club's emotional charge into the finals.
I am also a big fan of Wests Tigers.
They have a brilliant roster with some big names for the big games.
Manly and Melbourne will be thereabouts deep in the finals, no doubt about it.
But I just like to the look of Brisbane and Wests Tigers.
Lockyer v Benji Marshall.
What a promoter's dream it would be for this year's big game.
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After Friday night's torrid and explosive match at Brookvale, a heap of critics and pundits are tipping Manly and Melbourne will contest this year's NRL Grand Final.
Well, I am not so convinced.
Yes they are both strong sides and, yes, they are both well-coached.
But I have to admit that I am a huge Brisbane Broncos fan and I think Anthony Griffin's men will be there for the October 2 decider at ANZ Stadium.
I am not sure who they will play but I reckon Darren Lockyer's final NRL match will be a grand final.
And he deserves it.
Everything seems to be slipping into place for Brisbane.
Their for and against in recent weeks has been exceptional and they have plenty of depth.
There is also the Lockyer factor.
The emotion will be running high in Brisbane to ensure one of the game's greatest players has that fairytale farewell experienced by guys like Mick Cronin, Ray Price, Royce Simmons, Mal Meninga and Shane Webcke.
Over the final three rounds the Broncos have played Newcastle at Ausgrid and then Souths at home and this week they have Manly.
That's three tough matches and they will be match-hardened going into the finals.
Brisbane kept Souths to just 10 points on Sunday - not bad given the Rabbitohs had been averaging about 30 points a game over the past three weeks.
The Broncos are young yet resilient and still hope to have centre Justin Hodges return from injury.
And I am positive Lockyer will keep a lid on the club's emotional charge into the finals.
I am also a big fan of Wests Tigers.
They have a brilliant roster with some big names for the big games.
Manly and Melbourne will be thereabouts deep in the finals, no doubt about it.
But I just like to the look of Brisbane and Wests Tigers.
Lockyer v Benji Marshall.
What a promoter's dream it would be for this year's big game.
