Another chapter in a long-standing rivalry between the Broncos and Dragons will be written tonight when the two sides clash at Suncorp Stadium.
While it may only being Round 3, both teams have plenty to play for, with the Broncos keen to continue their unbeaten run which has included claiming the scalps of both Penrith and North Queensland; while St George Illawarra will be hoping to prove their win in their opening game of the season against the Titans last week was no fluke.
Last season, the Dragons officially ended Brisbane chances of making the finals, defeating them in the final regular round of the season 22-12.
Broncos coach Kevin Walters has continually stated that his side’s focus and measure of success this season was centred on strong defence, and said the result last year hadn’t really factored in his preparations for tonight's game.
“You know, I thought about it all week, but I haven't really been motivated too much by what happened last year, except learnings, not just one game, but throughout the whole season,” Walters said.
“So, we're putting those learnings into this year's preparation.
“We just want to build on what we've created the last couple of weeks, some good momentum there, particularly with our defence, so we need to get that going again.
“I expect that to be really strong and the focus of our game plan.”
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This week, the side have also been drawing inspiration from their premiership winning sides of 1993 (against the Dragons) and also 1998 (over the Bulldogs), who met yesterday for a reunion lunch.
“It's important part of our history, but what's an even more important part of our history is this team right now, (and) that they leave a legacy (like) those teams left. That's been the instructions all week again about this team and what they can achieve,” Walters said.
“That (1993) team, no one gave us a chance we lost the last round of the season to St George and then everyone put a line through us, maybe even the coach as well.
“But Chris Johns, I remember specifically, rallying the troops and saying ‘hang on a minute, we have got something to win here. If we get all of our players back at full strength, we’re going to be hard to beat' and I guess that's a confidence thing that comes from being successful and winning.
“Our boys aren't there yet, this current team, but I expect that to happen over the next six months.
“I think it's fabulous that we're getting together … but it's now time for this team to really stand up. And they're doing everything that we've asked of them the last couple of weeks and through the pre-season (and tomorrow), it's game day again, so they have to go and get ready to play, run out and do the Broncos jerseys proud.”
Match Highlights: Dragons v Broncos
Opposition coach Anthony Griffin – who was at the helm of the Broncos from 2011 to 2014 – was full of praise for his opponents and knew the Dragons would have be at their best to notch back-to-back wins.
“We need to start well, wouldn’t want to be down 12-2 against Brisbane … we certainly have to go up another level, which we will," Griffin said .
“Last weekend was Round 1 for us, we’ll be better for the hit-out.
“Brisbane at Suncorp at the moment is a big challenge, so we’ll have to go up a gear.
“I think they have been brilliant (the past two weeks), to go to Penrith and beat them Round 1, Penrith are coming off a loss against St Helens and they had a tune up and were keen to start there season well, I thought that was their best performance.
“Last week, they had a big win at home, but beating Penrith at Penrith, I thought that showed a lot and told you a lot about their club.”
Another Dragon and former Broncos who knows plenty about the opposition club is Ben Hunt, who will need to fire if his side is to score an upset.
Walters acknowledged the importance of the Queensland Maroons representative to the side, but preferred to focus his own team – which is expected to feature a fit Pat Carrigan who was in some doubt earlier in the week after undergoing emergency dental surgery.
“We've obviously spoken about Ben in our meetings, but again he's one of 17 and that they're sending out,” Walters said.
“Likewise with us, we need 17 good players again tomorrow with a good attitude, particularly around our defence.
“(Tomorrow), we're at home in front of our people, our crowd, so we need to make sure that when they leave the stadium that our people are happy with the team’s performance.”