This Sunday’s game will feature some mouth-watering battles. Dally M medal winning Johnathan Thurston will take on his heir apparent to the QLD halfback throne in Ben Hunt.
Sam Thaiday and Adam Blair will do battle with Kangaroo front rowers Matt Scott and James Tamou, while two of the most exciting number sixes in the competition will do battle.
The game could be won anywhere, and all indications are that this game will be one of the closest, and most exciting, of recent times.
We take a look at the battles and predict a winner.
Fullback: Darius Boyd vs Lachlan Coote
Lachlan Coote is having the season we all knew he was capable of having. His presence has completed the Cowboys puzzle, and has allowed Michael Morgan to shift into the halves. His contribution cannot be over stated, he has been brilliant. Darius Boyd came to the Broncos with a question mark over whether he was past it. He has proven everybody who doubted him very wrong by producing something special. It’s tough to split them in terms of game-breaking ability, but the fact Boyd has played a big part in so many famous QLD victories counts massively heading into this massive fixture.
Result: Broncos (Broncos 1 - 0)
Wingers: Corey Oats and Jordan Kahu vs Kyle Feldt and Antonio Winterstein
Jordan Kahu has rewarded the faith shown in him by the Broncos and has made one wing spot his own. On the opposite side, Corey Oats has filled the troublesome second wing spot and has added another huge weapon to the Broncos artillery. The Cowboys pair probably have the edge in terms of speed and creativity, while the Broncos have a size advantage in Oats. Winterstein is probably the deciding factor here, as his ability to find the try line has made him a genuine star. All four are capable of something brilliant, but it is the Cowboys pair I’m backing to have the bigger impact.
Result: Cowboys (Broncos 1 - 1 Cowboys)
Centres: Jack Reed and Justin Hodges vs Justin O’Neill and Kane Linnett
O’Neill and Linnett may be far from the biggest named centre pairing in the competition, but they have far surpassed expectation this season. The Cowboys 3 and 4 are having career best seasons and will be chomping at the bit to capitalise on the brilliant service of their champion halves. In Jack Reed, the Broncos have a solid, and potential brilliant centre. In Justin Hodges they have a genuine world class centre with all the experience in the world. Hodges being cleared is HUGE for the Broncos and could be the reason they capture the title.
Result: Broncos (Broncos 2 - 1 Cowboys)
Five-Eighths: Anthony Milford vs Michael Morgan
A tale of two fullbacks who have found new homes in the number six. Both were under huge pressure in the early rounds but both have produced seasons worthy of leading their sides to the title. I think Michael Morgan has the edge in the kicking game, but Milford’s ability to break sides open thanks to blistering pace and dazzling footwork is second to none. With Thurston and Hunt to be targeted, this battle could become absolutely key to deciding a winner. I’ll go with Milford … JUST!
Result: Broncos (Broncos 3 - 1 Cowboys)
Halfbacks: Ben Hunt vs Jonathan Thurston
Ben Hunt has had a brilliant season. In any other year he’d be right in conversations for player of the year honours. 2015 however, has not been any other year. It has been Thurston’s year. JT has been nothing short of magical throughout the season, and won his fourth Dally M by a huge margin. No man on the planet can match what Thurston can do on a football field. If the Broncos are to lift the trophy, they need to keep Thurston quiet. Easier said than done.
Result: Cowboys (Broncos 3 - 2 Cowboys)
Props: Sam Thaiday and Adam Blair vs Matt Scott and James Tamou
Four international representatives, and four of the most in form big men in the competition. Adam Blair has been a revelation since his move to Brisbane, while Thaiday has had a far superior season in 2015 compared to 2014. Their opponents however form THE best front row in the business. Tamou, much like both Broncos, is having a 2015 to remember, after a sorry 2014, while Matt Scott is at the peak of his powers. If either team’s halves are to dominate the game, it will be on the back of their props.
Result: Cowboys (Broncos 3 - 3 Cowboys)
Hookers: Andrew McCullough vs Jake Granville
Both hookers have provided highlight moments this season. Both have put in a mountain of work, and both are surely better now than they were in March of 2015. McCullough and Granville will be charged with finding and targeting tired forwards, and will be expected to rack up big tackle counts during their time on the park. There is not a lot between them, and I’d argue McCullough is probably the more complete player, but in terms of that all important moment of magic, Granville is the man. The danger he possessed out of dummy half is going to be of concern to the Broncos, especially after 20 or so minutes.
Result: Cowboys (Broncos 3 - 4 Cowboys)
Second Rowers: Alex Glenn and Matt Gillett vs Gavin Cooper and Ethan Lowe
The Cowboys second row has improved out of site this season. Gavin Cooper’s partnership with his halfback is arguably the best in the competition. Their opposites are both QLD representatives and two of the best in the business. Cooper and Lowe will work hard, and Cooper especially, is capable of providing that tackle bust and offload that could lead to a try, but Glenn and Gillett edge this due to explosiveness. I’m sure the likes of the Roosters and Sharks would be in discussion, but these two sides possess two of the best second row combos in rugby league.
Result: Broncos (Broncos 4 - 4 Cowboys)
Locks: Corey Parker vs Jason Taumololo
I was actually quite surprised when Taumalolo was named as lock of the year over his opponent on Sunday. I thought Parker had been the most consistent, and best, lock in the competition this season. That said, Taumololo would have probably been second. Both players are capable of breaking this contest open with a huge run, or clever offload. Parker’s experience should prove vital here, as he was won premierships, and Origins, and there is no chance he will be overawed by the occasion.
Result: Broncos (Broncos 5 - 4 Cowboys)
Bench: Wallace, Dodds, Ofahengaue and Nikorima vs Kostjasyn, Asiata, Bolton and Hannant
In the modern game, it’s tough to win a competition without a strong bench. The game is so quick in 2015 that use of the interchange bench has become key. The Broncos have plenty of side, and talent on their bench, who provide plenty of work, while the larger name players rest. The same could be said for the Cowboys bench, however in Ben Hannant they have a player who can do big damage, and quickly. Scott, Tamou and Scott form the best front row rotation in the game, and I expect that to be the difference from the bench.
Result: Cowboys (Broncos 5 - 5 Cowboys)
Coaches: Wayne Bennett vs Paul Green
Paul Green has done a wonderful job since taking over the North Queensland hot seat. He has the Cowboys playing some amazing football and has really brought the best out in his team. The only downfall here in Green is that he is not Wayne Bennett. Bennett has FAR more experience in the huge games than his Cowboy counterpart, including premierships at both the Broncos and the Dragons. As good as Green is, Bennett wins the battle with any coach.
Result: Broncos (Broncos 6 - 5 Cowboys)
Overall: There is absolutely nothing in this contest across the park. Both teams are stacked with talent and neither have a weakness. The game could be won on some individual brilliance, in which case both sides are well positioned. The only genuine advantage I can see comes in the experience of Broncos mentor Wayne Bennett, who has been there and done that when it comes to big games. His experience and calmness should flow on to his players, and that is the ONLY reason I am tipping the Broncos by 7.
Clive Churchill Medal
Despite the plethora of talent all across the park, I don’t think you can go past one of the halves winning the Clive Churchill Medal for best on ground.
This Friday afternoon between 5 and 7 pm, Betting.club are offering a special $2.50 (max bet of $100) market for ANY of the halves to capture the medal.
Thurston alone is at odds of $3, and while he is the overwhelming favourite, I’d be taking a serious look at Ben Hunt, who will likely be the man to mastermind a Broncos victory.
I'm taking the $2.50 as I can't split the two world class halfbacks.
