Here are the talking points from the second week of the finals.
Mighty maroons
This was a weekend when the Queenslanders stood up. The Broncos were losing troops all over the place, but never really looked threatened by a Panthers team that had probably progressed one week further than they should have. Injury watch will be on overdrive in Brisbane this week, with a number of key players in doubt for their clash with the Storm. Top of that list is skipper Darius Boyd, who, if we're honest, the Broncos cannot win without. They probably can't win anyway, but if Boyd is in the stands again they can start planning Mad Monday. Adam Blair bounced back from his horror show against the Roosters to be one of Brisbane's best, and he needs to stand up again this week in Melbourne. Most pundits will give the Broncos no chance, but Wayne Bennett loves an underdog, and he will be busy plotting an ambush from Red Hill.
What more is there to say about the courage of this Cowboys team? No Thurston, no Scott, and still in the fight. Michael Morgan is the form player of the competition, having well and truly stepped up in JT’s absence. The other JT, Jason Taumalolo, is a human wrecking ball, and his clash with the big Roosters pack this week is mouth watering. Throw in some great back up performances from Coote, Cooper, Granville and Bolton, and this team is a real shot to sneak into the GF. Could we possibly see a replay of the 2015 decider? It's at long odds, but it would be brave to say it can't happen. What a weekend we are in for.
Poor Parra
You have to feel for the Eels faithful. After a horrid 2016 marred by salary cap dramas, this was the year they were going to bounce back. They flew under the radar for most of the year, but strung some wins together when it mattered and nabbed a vital top 4 spot. But after a straight sets exit, fans will be wondering if that 4th spot was actually more hindrance than help, as they met the near unbeatable Storm and the resurgent Cowboys in consecutive weeks. One would think they would have been too strong for the stuttering Broncos or Panthers, but it was not to be. Brad Arthur needs to establish why the Eels were well below their best against North Queensland, though. Did they take the Cowboys lightly? Did they read their own press after the valiant effort against the Storm? Are they simply too inexperienced in key positions for the big games? Perhaps all are true to some extent. They will get some solace from the fact that their premiership window is actually the next few years, not right now, and they should be aiming to camp themselves in the top 4 for the foreseeable future. It will be cold comfort for fans now, though, and as they face another off season as also rans.
What's next?
What a weekend we have coming up. In fact, it's the best weekend of the season, as the final four teams battle it out for a place in the big dance. Making a Grand Final is so difficult, and a win this week will be a career highlight for so many of the combatants. Each team has a story, a reason they deserve to be there. But there is only room for two. Cannot wait for this…
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Words: Cameron Stokes
