As i look to the game on Friday night, something really sticks out and thoughts and opinions are welcolme.......
Last year the "baby broncos" played the Rabbits (who were understrength also at the time) and beat them 50-22. The baby broncs didnt have there origin stars that game.........
From memory, the line was pretty much even , maybe souths were outsiders cause they were also understrength in the forwards......
Anyways, i distinctly remember the "baby broncos" without there origin players played out of there skin that day and smashed them.
Last Saturday without there origin players, IMO, the Broncos "played out of there skins" and while they didnt win, IMO played above expectations and were well in it until 5 mins left.....but the bottom line is they played above and beyond what many thought they would against a tough storm team......
IMO, the broncos know this as well......
Now going back to the game against the Rabbits last year, after that big win, the following week, they played? Yes the Panthers.....The Broncs in that game GOT there origin players back, how did they go? They turned up very very flat, very flat......A far cry from the previous week......They lost 22-12......The game was also up in Brisbane....
IMO, they thought "well, without our origin players we played extremely well and kicked Souths backside, now that we have the origin players back, this should be easy.............".......What happened?
Now, last week, IMO, they played very very well, above expectations.....I know this year the team is a bit more mature with a different coach, but i believe they have still over achieved, i also expect an emotional let down for Locky after the test match which was built for him.....
Now they face a struggling Panthers team who get lewis (there best player by far and away)...
Now to the punch line....I can really see the Broncs saying, "well without our best players last week, we very nearly beat the storm, with the origin players back, this should be easy against a struggling Panthers team.......When teams think like that you know what normally happens......Physcology......
Is it like last year all over again.......?
If they beat the storm last week, then i would go heavy on the panthers this week, but because they lost, it may make it closer and maybe the line might be a good bet...
Thoughts?