Joey’s Footy Preview – Grand Final

It was the jewel in Prince’s career crown and 10 years on, the now retired halfback is eagerly awaiting the 2015 showpiece.

He did lose when co-coach of the Canberra Raiders in the 1987 New South Wales Rugby League grand final.

The door was left open for a fairy tale end to his 250 match NRL career after Hodges beat a risky throw charge at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday. The Broncos just have to find a way to take the sting out of Scott’s runs early and Thaiday has proven on many occasions he loves these challenges. Wayne’s the super coach down here.

“There haven’t been many Indigenous players who have captained their sides to a grand final win so this weekend will make history because no matter who wins they will have an Indigenous captain”.

One of the scarce highlights in this inglorious opening decade for the Cowboys occurred in 2004 when Graham Murray signed young playmaker Johnathan Thurston from a Canterbury team that would go on to win the premiership that season.

“Every side wrestles, so I’m not going to say these two won’t wrestle, but there’s not a big emphasis on it”. The big fella will no doubt be pumped up for this one and limiting his damage in the first 20 minutes will be a key factor for the Broncos in this contest.

Unsurprisingly, the quartet occupies the first four lines of betting in the Clive Churchill Medal market.

The Broncos’ defence has been solid all season.

“I can guarantee you these guys have not played the grand final (in their heads) prior to the game – that’s the challenge everyone faces”. “To have an all-Queensland final shows the real dominance of rugby league in Queensland”.

“This is massive for us”.

While two Queensland teams making a grand final might seem to be the most First World of disasters, it was only a matter of time before it happened.

But grand finals are always even money bets. The Hawks are playing the Perth-based West Coast Eagles. With 80,000 fans at ANZ Stadium chanting and wearing their team colours – it’s an incredible spectacle.

PIG, the dugong who lives at Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, has chosen the Cowboys over Brisbane during a Friday morning play session with floating footballs of both teams in his pool.

In terms of grand final experience, the Broncos are certainly better equipped, having won all six of the grand finals they have played (being 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, and 2006).

Ex-Emmaus College student Rhys Wesser earned his place in folklore when the classy former Queensland fullback provided the spark as the Penrith Panthers surged towards the 2003 title.

Cowboys five-eighth Michael Morgan has also been tipped as a rising star. Quick and powerful around the fringes.

Apart from his core duties, the versatile forward also has a knack for cutting down opponents close to the line with grassing tackles and can lay on a pass with the skill and vision of a much smaller player.

COREY PARKER (Brisbane Broncos): The leader of the Broncos team.