Cowboys will win NRL title before Broncos or Titans, says Chris Garry
AHEAD of the North Queensland-Broncos NRL derby, Chris “Tiger” Garry says the Cowboys will win a premiership before the Broncos or Titans. Blog with him from 4pm.
Opinion
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LET’S be honest for a moment, the NRL trophy will not be lifted by a Queensland team this year.
However, the North Queensland Cowboys will win an NRL premiership before the Brisbane Broncos or Gold Coast Titans.
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In fact I am adamant they will be premiers within three years, regardless of who wins tonight’s derby in Townsville.
The reasons?
BRONCOS
Anthony Milford’s surprisingly poor performance at five-eighth for Queensland’s under-20s team last week proved the Broncos are years away from being a dominant side.
Milford is a superstar at fullback and will represent Queensland and Australia in the position eventually.
However, the Broncos are committed to playing him at five-eighth.
He has the talent, attitude and intelligence to eventually be a dominant No.6 but the education period for the 19-year-old will be two to three seasons.
During this time, the Broncos will be a top eight team but lack the consistency to be a premiership threat.
The Ben Hannant saga also proves the Broncos are culturally unsettled.
Hannant is in better form and is also a better player than Jarrod Wallace and David Hala.
He is being punished with a stint in the Ipswich Jets.
It is a brave decision by Griffin. I remain unconvinced it is the right one.
GOLD COAST
THE Titans will remain out of contention until they find a star hooker. Beau Falloon is solid but not among the top six rakes in the competition.
The Titans are winning ugly this year and I think they will slide to eventually play around sixth or seventh on the ladder.
The Titans do not have a teenage superstar on their books either.
They will be a fifth to eighth placed team unless they lure a gun hooker.
Gold Coast lack depth in the outside backs and must hit the player market hard.
NORTH QUEENSLAND
THE Cowboys will only sneak into the finals this year but they have the greatest title potential of any Queensland team.
From current rosters, North Queensland is the only Queensland side capable of fielding a genuine top-level spine with the talent of a Manly Sea Eagles, Melbourne Storm or South Sydney.
In the next two to three seasons the team Paul Green is building in Townsville will be formidable.
They are still searching for a hooker and halfback, but when Lachlan Coote returns their answer will be provided with Michael Morgan becoming the long-term No.7.
Their hooker off the bench this week, Cameron King, is a star in the making and in Johnathan Thurston they have one of the top three rugby league players in the world.
I have been critical of the Cowboys play this season and if their win/loss record does not improve I will continue to be.
However, I am adamant they will win a title within three years such is their depth of talent and the quality of their coaching staff.
Paul Green can coach; we just haven’t seen the fruits of his mass structure changes yet.
While assistant Terry Matterson could be a successful head coach in the NRL right now.
Originally published as Cowboys will win NRL title before Broncos or Titans, says Chris Garry
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