Last year’s all-Queensland grand final may go down in history as the best. It will certainly go down as the most dramatic.
Few will forget the magic scenes as Johnathan Thurston’s field-goal delivered the first NRL Premiership to Townsville, and the Cowboys.
Given the dominance over the years of the likes of the Storm and Broncos, it’s not unusual to see an interstate battle take place on the first weekend in December, however the all “non-NSW” grand final certainly wasn’t the norm.
Not since 2006 when the Broncos beat the Storm, was the final game of the season contested by two sides based outside of Sydney. That, prior to last season of course, was the only time the NRL Grand Final did not involve a Sydney side.
It took nine NRL seasons for it to happen, and it took eight further seasons for it to happen again.
It may, however, not take very long at all until ANZ Stadium plays host to an all non-Sydney grand final yet again. In fact, it’s looking likely that October 2nd will feature two sides from outside the blue state.
The Storm captured the minor premiership with a commanding victory over Sydney’s highest placed team for the finals, the Sharks.
Just over a month ago, the Sharks looked like genuine premiership contenders. They were firing across the park and some fans started to wonder if the Sharks would even lose another game, let alone be topped for the title.
Unfortunately for long-suffering fans in the Shire, the performances of their side fell away as they limped into the finals. Although they are still a chance to end their title drought, the way they were put away by the Storm has even the biggest fan looking for answers.
The Sharks late-season fade out saw the Raiders earn second spot, and a home final in the first week of the finals.
No side is in hotter form than the Green Machine, who themselves are looking to end a title drought, albeit a shorter one than that of the Sharks.
Canberra have beaten both the Sharks and the Storm over the past month and look in almost perfect position to take the title back to the capital.
Jack Wighton’s being cleared of a ridiculous shoulder charge wrap combined with the impending return of Blake Austin has them looking just as good, if not better, than any other side in the competition right now.
Although the NRL title has never been defended, the Thurston-led Cowboys are finding form at the right end of the season and have the top three sides looking over their shoulders.
Beaten Grand Finalists last season, the Broncos, are also finding form after a horror mid-season run. They too have recently beaten the Storm, and will fancy themselves heavy favourites to advance over the Titans.
The Titans, having far exceeded expectations already by making the finals, will be looking to shock the rugby league world by defeating the Broncos. Given the amount of talent on offer in their side, they too can beat anyone on their day. This is the side that ended the Sharks unbeaten run just as they were looking close to invincible.
Unfortunately for fans of the Bulldogs, their side has looked anything but invincible over the past few weeks, having bombed a chance to guarantee a second shot after dropping out of the top four.
They will play the red-hot Panthers, who are Sydney’s most in form side despite finishing well below the Sharks.
The all-Sydney fixture guarantees that two Sydney-based sides will still be alive come week two of the finals, however should the Raiders beat the Sharks as most expect them to, only one Sydney team will remain against, likely, two of either the Storm, Cowboys or Broncos.
Although it must be considered a huge outside chance, an all Sydney grand final is still possible. The Sharks would need to beat the Raiders in week one, while the winner of the Panthers/Dogs would need to ensure that Canberra exit in straight sets.
Both sides would then need to win their respective matches, with the Panthers/Dogs winner, having beaten Canberra, going through either the Storm or Cowboys. The Sharks would then of course need to win their game.
Despite the talent on offer, and the good form of the Panthers, even the one Sydney team making the decider from here looks a long, long way away.
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