NRL SF#1 – Will Locky’s Fairytale Continue?

It’s a battle between second and third place – the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles come up against the Brisbane Broncos.

Usually a game like this would have the publicity shared among the two teams – discussing possible tactics and the overall tight battle that will more than likely take place on Friday night.

However, the only question on everybody’s lips – can the young Broncos side do it without Darren Lockyer?

Everyone from league legend Laurie Daley to infamous commentator Ray ‘Rabs’ Warren has been asking this question since Lockyer’s cheekbone was shattered, and the general consensus is divided.

Some say that Lockyer’s absence will create some kind of divine intervention and the Broncos will overcome the consistent form of the Sea Eagles.

Whereas other critics simply attribute all of the success of the Broncos on Lockyer, without him they just can’t do it, and the stats are against them.

The Broncos have been defeated 27 times and drawn three times with the absence of Lockyer – therefore having a success rate of 28.6%, as compared to the 66.8% rate with Lockyer in play – hence all the doubts.

No doubt the extra motivation to send Lockyer out on a high note with a premiership win is going to be on every Bronco mind, but with great expectation comes great pressure – something the inexperienced Broncos side may not be able to handle.

Finals footy is another world compared to the normal 26 round competition; the pressure, anxiety and the emotions  so high that it gets the better of even the best .

The absence of Lockyer’s kicking game is going to be another challenge that Coach Anthony Griffin needs to put into perspective when considering a game plan to take on Manly.

Taking away all the speculation regarding the Broncos capabilities, the point still remains that Lockyer won’t be there, so the next thing to think about is who will be taking his place in the halves.

The No. 6 jersey will most likely go to rookie Matt Gillett. Coach of Gillett’s former club Brisbane North, Kevin Carmichael, only had praise for the youngster.

“He’s just freakish with some of the things that he can do,”

“Gillo is just a natural footballer.”

Gillet made his debut last year for the Broncos, scoring 72 points and winning the Dally M Rookie of the Year Award.

Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin feels that he is the man for the job.

However, the question still stands, although Gillett is ‘freakish’ when it comes to putting the ball in play, can his young feet fill the boots, the role and the void left by Lockyer?

Sam Thaiday will lead the Bronco’s side out as captain after returning from a two week suspension, with Griffin choosing the soon-to-be captain over current vice, Corey Parker.

“He’ll be leading the team out in March, so he may as well do it here in September!” Griffin said.

Thaiday is the type of player that is ideal to lead the Broncos in the absence of Lockyer – he’s experienced, motivated and needless to say, adds a certain level of aggression that is needed if the Broncos are going to have a chance against the Sea Eagles.

Although the absence of Lockyer is devastating to the Broncos side, Manly’s Matt Ballin says that nothing that will phase the Sea Eagles in tonight’s blockbuster.

“As a group, things haven’t changed too much, we try to focus on our own lead up and not worry about the Broncos too much,”

“So we’ll just go out there and play whoever they put on that paddock Friday Night.”

Although Manly are still without forwards Jason King, Darcy Lussick and Glenn Stewart, the Sea Eagles should not be distracted by all the commotion revolving around the Brisbane squad.

Coming off a week’s rest after the understated ‘win’ over the Cowboy’s, Manly need to get on a strong start to really shake the Broncos in their boots. If they allow the Broncos side to get an early leg up in the game, things can easily go against them and slip away. As long as Manly remain consistent and play their own style of football, they will remain a force to be reckoned with.

The obvious favourite for Friday’s matchup is Manly. However, if the baby Broncos can show the character they have all year without Lockyer, only a brave man would write them off!