North Queensland Cowboys leave Townsville for NRL Grand Final

MP Katter, an avid North Queensland Cowboys supporter, is seeking a meeting with airlines to plead for fans who are being forced to pay up to $2000 – more than three times the normal price for flights to get to Sydney – for the first all-Queensland rugby league final in history.

Wayne Bennett put on his best stonewalling Clint Eastwood impression for the NRL Grand Final press-conference in Sydney on Thursday afternoon.

“It is unbelievable how passionate our people are towards the game and the opportunity that this game has got now to make a positive effect on the country”, Widders said.

But the Warriors-bound Kiwi global said he was happy that Hodges can end his career by playing in the title decider at ANZ Stadium. I remember when he was signed by the Broncos there was plenty of doubt about the wisdom given his form at the Wests Tigers.

Rugby league fans from the Sunshine State are used to preparing to fight their traditional rivals, NSW, in the annual State of Origin series. It’s a big project, as I’ve said a number of times.

Cowboys firepower – the Cowboys have the wood over Brisbane in nearly all of the major attacking categories including points scored, tries scored, tackle busts, linebreaks, completion rate and run metres.

“The Broncos have a lot of excitement machines in their team and are very exciting to watch”.

What happened in finals week one – No side has lost their first finals match and gone on to claim the premiership since Brisbane in 2006. I don’t pre-empt it.

“You need to take something out of any loss you have”.

“The only difference is we have different coloured jerseys on so it will be business as usual”.

Green served an apprenticeship under Bennett at Brisbane before transferring his talents to the Queensland Cup, in which he won back-to-back titles with Wynnum Manly.

“They test you defensively”.

There was significant debate following last year’s decider after South Sydney allowed Burgess to play on with a fractured cheekbone and a suspected concussion after a head clash with fellow Englishman James Graham.

“Wayne what do you mean a few coaches don’t teach?” came the next question.

“If there’s one strength that any young kid, or player for that matter, would like to take from Johnathan Thurston it’s his ability to compete on everything”, Prince said.