NRL action superb as Dragons and Cowboys make statements
March 14th 2009 05:45
Whether it was the class of Greg Inglis, the new found character of the Dragons or the telepathic ability between Cowboys duo Johnathon Thurston and Matt Bowen, round one of the 2009 NRL season is certain to be remembered for all the right reasons.
Despite all the lingering off field problems currently surrounding the NRL, the opening matches on Friday night gave all fans reason to believe the game is still in a positive frame of mind.
The crowds in Melbourne and Brisbane were out in force to signal the arrival of another NRL season, where every team is a realistic chance of achieving a Premiership come early October.
Down at Olympic Park, the Melbourne Storm confronted the St George Illawarra Dragons. A team that has grown tenfold in terms of its character and belief.
Even though the skill and class of Greg Inglis shone through in the end for the Storm, the Dragons have consolidated the thoughts of the many who think they will be premiership material this season.
The Dragons played like a team in unison. Winger Wendell Sailor was back to his blockbusting best while forwards Michael Weyman and Justin Poore hit the ball with purpose and verve.
Centre Matt Cooper looked very comfortable without his former partner in crime Mark Gasnier, while Darius Boyd at fullback was also very solid for the red and whites.
Throw in the all round performances of Jeremy Smith, Ben Creagh and Dean Young and the Dragons nearly took the two points away from the NRL’s best performed team these past three seasons.
Regardless of the loss, the Dragons will win more than their fair share of games if Friday nights effort against the Storm is repeated.
Another side that seems to have turned the corner in the off season are the Nth Qld Cowboys.
Their effort against the Brisbane Broncos suggests the Cowboys are ready to return to finals football in 2009.
Although a Peter Wallace field goal got the Broncos home, the telepathic ability between Cowboys duo Thurston and Bowen nearly gave new coach Neil Henry the perfect start.
In a critical moment of the game, let alone the second half, Thurston executed a perfect banana kick that was humbly accepted by Bowen to put the Cowboys in front.
It was a play befitting of Thurston’s tag as the world’s best player, while it also signalled the positive return from injury for Bowen.
Even though it was not enough to grant them victory, the Cowboys under Henry are already showing enough to suggest their woeful 2008 showing will not be repeated.
As for the two victors, both the Storm and the Broncos have started laying the foundations for a very promising season ahead.
Not to mention it has also set up a mouth watering clash between the two sides at Suncorp stadium next week. Perhaps a potential Grand final preview.
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