Faith and Hope for Friday Night Clash.
by
Tuesday September 02, 2003

Recent struggles with attacking firepower have seen the Brisbane Broncos fall to equal their worst ever losing streak. However, with Darren Lockyer, Gorden Tallis and Scott Prince all returning fit and ready this week, the hopes of a win to see out the home and away season have risen considerably.

This clash against the Dragons promises to be monumental, as the Broncos risk missing the playoffs entirely for the first time since 1991. The newly redeveloped Suncorp Stadium has proven itself to be a curse for the home side, and a far cry from the 80% winning record experienced at ANZ stadium.

Poor form and the curse of Suncorp aside, the Broncos are still favourites to pull a win out of their hat this Friday. Brisbane have always proven themselves to be contenders in the big games, where it counts, and it doesn't get much bigger than this. Here is just a few reasons why the boys will want nothing more than to win this Friday night:

1. To give their fans something back! The Broncs have always been a side that cares about their fans, and loves to perform well in front of them. Being the last home game of the season, I'm sure they'd love to see a big crowd there to give them some momentum coming into the finals.

2. To pick up their form. We all know that it's the team who fires in September, not May, will win the competition. We saw it in the Roosters last year, and will have to see it again. Although a small loss will most likely still see them in the top 8, it will give themselves and the fans very little confidence when they meet the minor premiers a week later.

3. Retirements & exits. The last home game of the season always provides extra emotional performances by the guys who are leaving the club, or retiring from Rugby League altogether. While these guys play their hearts out for the last time in the yellow and maroon, their team-mates also love to send them out winners in front of a Brisbane crowd. The departures of Scott Prince, Richard Swain, Ben Ikin and veteran forward Andrew Gee will definately give the players some added inspiration.

News from the Dragons camp have also provided the Broncos with a psycological boost. Talented young halfback Firman has been ruled out for 6 months with a shoulder injury, a huge blow to the Dragons attacking direction. Add that to an already lengthy injury list including Barrett, Ryles and Thompson, and it's no secret that the Dragons are lacking their big guns.

After suffering another injury a few weeks ago, Scott Prince has trained well over the past month and is shaping as a possible saviour for the Broncos. With spellbinding talent in the halfback role, a dynamic combination between himself and Darren Lockyer could well prove to be the winning straw for the Brisbane side.

Well, there you have it folks - my little run down on what will sure be an exciting and emotional clash this weekend. I'd love to see another big crowd out at Suncorp on Friday night, as we see our boys leave Brisbane winners, and ready for the finals. This will be no easy task, but you can never count out the Broncos. Ever.

Brisbane Broncos by 12.