BroncosFever
State of Origin Rep
- Jun 6, 2014
- 6,102
- 10,908
The draw certainly worked out in the Warriors favour, but when I was doing my predictions, I had expectations of the Warriors starting 2-9. I thought they'd win their opening home games (Newcastle & Canterbury) but would lose the return games and they had some tough match-ups against the Cowboys (twice), Roosters (twice), Panthers, Storm & Sharks.
It only got slightly easier after the bye and I thought the match against the Broncos was an absolute gift from the NRL. That's where I expected them to go on a run and get the odd win against the grain (vs. Canberra, Souths) before coming back down to earth vs. Parramatta & Cronulla.
Their final five games were always going to be free (Titans, Dragons, Sea Eagles, Dolphins) but I also expected their season to be well and truly over by that point.
I think their luck turned when they got the Cowboys at a great time. They lost a few key personnel, were down on confidence and the Warriors capitilised denying them the space and out-enthusing them in the middle. That incredible comeback against the Sharks proved to be a pivotal win and a season defining effort from both teams. Finally the Bulldogs never got into gear as injuries really started to pile up, so that ended up being a walk in the park.
The other big win was Croker's 300th. That seemed tailor made for a Raiders win and while I expected at least one Warriors upset against the Raiders, I didn't expect it that evening and the Warriors really put their hands up that night.
The only other game that worked out their way due to scheduling was Parramatta when the Eels lost so many players to rep duty, otherwise I find it difficult to argue that they weren't the 4th most consistent team.
Then again I don't think a whataboutism is in order. Everyone knows this whinge about the Broncos draw is a big bunch of bull. It's just the Sydney press stoking the flames and creating that us vs. them divide. It's noticeable from up here, but it's not until you stay in Sydney you realise how prevelant it is.
I think they've played a bunch of decent teams at almost the best possible time. I know when they played us, I couldn't think of a better arrangement for them. During Origin, we were missing our pack, in NZ and they had just come off the bye. Yet they still lost. Then some of their fans had the nerve to suggest they were robbed when old mate pulled the jersey in the final moments.