‘Four QLD teams in the top eight’: NRL great’s bold call for ‘Moneyball’ side
The Dolphins shocked the rugby league world last weekend and one NRL great reckons Queensland could take over the NRL this season.
Four Queensland teams in the NRL’s top eight? Tell him he’s dreamin’.
Well, Broncos great Sam Thaiday is certainly dreaming big after his former side’s red-hot start to the season in the opening fortnight.
The Broncos are the hottest team in the NRL after upsetting two-time reigning premiers Penrith in their own backyard and taking care of preliminary finalists the Cowboys on Friday night.
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“For the Broncos to go down to Penrith and beat team, it wasn’t a huge surprise for people around the Broncos,” an upbeat Thaiday told news.com.au.
The Broncos started last season in similar fashion before falling apart, but there’s renewed hope they can hold it together with a team boasting new recruit Reece Walsh, who turned on some Reece Lightning against the Cowboys.
“Now they’ve set themselves the standard they’ve got to live up to,” Thaiday said.
The former enforcer praised Kevin Walters and said the work done in the off-season is evident.
“I think Kevvie’s done a brilliant job in the off-season,” he said.
“The inclusion of Matt Ballin as an assistant coach is going to help him out. Some smart moves from Kev.”
Brisbane have a reasonably favourable draw in the next month — something Thaiday believes they need to capitalise on before the State of Origin period to ensure the second half the season doesn’t derail their campaign
“They’ve got a pretty good run to be honest,” Thaiday said.
“The don’t have to leave Queensland for almost the next six weeks. That’s always a bonus. “They’ve got two homes in a row, then the Dolphins at Suncorp, and another couple in Queensland after that.
“Great opportunity to really cement themselves in that top eight to start the year. Through that success they’ll probably have a few guys make the State of Origin squads.
“That’s why it’s important for them to get off to a good start and then hopefully they can hang in there at the end of the year and not fall off like last year.”
Thaiday, who won the 2006 premiership with the Broncos, believes his old side should make finals and could even challenge for the top four.
“It’s the second season of Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds playing together in the halves,” he said.
“They’re starting to form a combination there.
“Ezra Mann’s been working really hard on his defence in the off-season. The inclusion of Reece Walsh — he’s a real electric player and he makes things happen around him.
“I think that’s going to be a great inclusion for the Broncos. Selwyn Cobbo’s only got bigger and stronger this year.”
Dolphins dreaming big
The Dolphins shocked everyone by beating the Roosters in their first ever game and believes not signing a marquee player might actually be a blessing in disguise.
“I just watched Moneyball and it’s one of my favourite movies — it’s essentially what they’ve done at the Dolphins,” Thaiday said.
“They couldn’t get a marquee player but they’ve got some handy players there that can really help. They’ve got some youth in the halves with young (Isaiya) Katoa and experience in the forwards.
“I’m biased, forwards win games so I think they spent their money wisely. They wouldn’t be seen as marquee players but they’re solid players in the middle of the field.
“The Bromwich brothers, Felise Kaufusi, some other journeymen in the forwards.”
“There was a hype around Brisbane and that Redcliffe area. I wish them all the best for the season. We’d love to see them see some success this year.
“They are a new franchise in the competition and we don't want to see them fall on their backsides to start the year off.”
The challenge of course will be to maintain that level throughout what is bound to be an up and down inaugural season.
“What Wayne does really well is he gets you prepared for a game,” Thaiday said of his former mentor Wayne Bennett.
“He definitely had those boys fired up and ready to go for Round 1. He just needs to find that magic week in, week out, because they will have a lot of firsts this year.
The Broncos and Dolphins face off in Round 4 in what looms as a litmus test of the Dolphins’ ceiling this season.
“I know they’ve probably circled Round 4 for themselves. They’ll be looking forward to Round 10, Magic Round. Getting out there and playing at Suncorp Stadium.
“They’ll surprise a few teams this year, I’m sure.”
‘Four Queensland teams in the top eight’
Thaiday confesses to wearing his “Queensland hat” and he is optimistically predicting all four teams north of the Tweed could make up half of the top eight this season.
The Broncos, Cowboys and Gold Coast Titans have only ever made finals in the same season once, in 2016.
All four teams Queensland teams won in Round 1 and Thaiday can see a world where the Dolphins and Titans join their more fancied big brothers in finals.
“Great start for the Queensland teams,” he said.
“I’m a little bit biased. I always think when the Queensland teams are playing well, the NRL competition is in a good place. Call me biased.
“In all honesty, if the Dolphins can produce performances like that week in, week out and find some consistency, we might see four Queensland teams in that top eight.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if there are three Queensland teams are in there.
“If the Titans can keep Kieran Foran fit and on the park, they’re a good chance of playing finals footy.
“I will say that the Cowboys and the Broncos would be in the mix for the eight somewhere.
Cowboys maybe even a top four, Broncos really pushing for a top four.
“It’s an exciting year ahead. And the best thing about the Queensland teams doing well in the competition is that it’s only going to bolster the Queensland State of Origin side. I’ve always got my Queensland hat on.”
Thaiday represented the Maroons 29 times and is an ambassador for ‘Ampol Little Origin’, which gives the chance for Year 5 and Year 6 students from 10 lucky schools across NSW, QLD and SA to win a once-in-a lifetime experience to play at half time during this year’s Ampol State of Origin Series.
Winning schools will receive a $5,000 grant to help aid their rugby league program as well as a special training session from Thaiday.
Schools can apply for the program here.
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