Bookies odds a sign of brutal challenge ahead for wounded Broncos
Bookmakers reckon Peter Dutton is a better chance of getting invited to the Prime Minister’s wedding than the Broncos are of winning the premiership, writes Robert Craddock.
Bookmakers reckon Peter Dutton is a better chance of getting invited to the Prime Minister’s wedding than the Broncos are of winning the premiership.
The bookies didn’t muck around when they saw Adam Reynolds, Ezra Mam and Selwyn Cobbo go down with hamstring injuries against the Storm last week.
The Broncos had been floating around $10 to win the title but were instantly wound out to $23 with the TAB declaring if you cannot make the top four you cannot win the premiership.
The TAB is also running a market on the guest list for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s wedding late this year with his election rival and arch foe Dutton rated a $21 chance to attend (Wayne Bennett is $11).
The odds say it all about the challenge awaiting the Broncos for Dutton is expected to be nowhere in the vicinity.
This week’s Battle of Brisbane between the Broncos and the Dolphins has become the Desperation Derby after the Dolphins were thumped 64-12 by the Roosters on Saturday night.
No team has ever conceded 50 points and won the title so the Dolphins, outsiders in any case, now have history to contend with as well.
But, more than that, losing by such a large margin was like losing two games because the Dolphins had their previously huge points for and against figure slashed to 119, only 15 superior to the Broncos. The figure will be decisive if the duo finish on the same number of premiership points.
UNDERARM REVIVED
There was a whiff of cricket’s infamous Trevor Chappell underarm in the reaction to the “Trainer-gate’’ affair with the Titans.
The rugby league world was rightfully outraged when Penrith trainer Corey Bocking blatantly ran into the line of sight of Titans goal-kicker Jayden Campbell as he was about to take a sideline conversion.
The support for the Titans was sustained, sincere and in some ways unprecedented.
It took me back to quote from New Zealand captain Jeremy Coney after Chappell bowled the final ball of a one-dayer against New Zealand underarm at the MCG.
“That was the best thing that ever happened to us,’’ Coney said. “Before that incident we were floating along in the All Blacks shadow and not really tugging at people’s heartstrings. Then suddenly people cared about us and cheered for us. People were stopping us in the street and wishing us the best. It was great.’’
WAYNE’S WISDOM
Wayne Bennett is having a brutal season but behind the scenes he has had some memorable moments which illustrate his great value to the game.
The night after his understrength Souths side were walloped 60-14 by the Broncos, Bennett was the guest speaker at Kedron-Wavell for the 90th anniversary of Brisbane Brothers juniors.
Bennett played and coached at Brothers, largely at the urging of his uncle Eddie Brosnan, a 1948 Kangaroo forward.
Master of ceremonies Pat Welsh said he has never seen Bennett is better form as he spent 40 minutes on stage, then opened up the floor for question and answers and posed for “selfies’’ with the crowd.
Asked about the plight of his Souths team, Bennett said “I’ve got 14 fit players at the moment … I’ve never been through anything like it.’’
SLAMMIN SAM
The stories are still coming in after the death of colourful prop Sam Backo.
Canberra and Queensland teammate Steve Jackson could talk about Backo all day.
“I remember the night I replaced him with seven minutes to go in my first State of Origin match in Game III, 1990,’’ Jackson said.
“As I got to the sideline he grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and said don’t you f--- up.’’
Fortunately Jackson scored the winning try.
ONE TO WATCH
Manly owners have declared coach Anthony Seibold safe for next year but it was interesting to see former Manly hooker Matt Ballin mentioned as an eventual replacement.
Quiet achievers like Ballin tend to be undervalued in a sport where the loudest voices seem to hold most sway but Ballin’s work as an assistant coach at the Broncos and Queensland has been highly valued.
NRL hands out monster bans for Katoa hits
