Older Dragons fans watching this, after remembering that the Dragons went 6-0 to start 1993 only to lose to the Broncos in their 7th game of the season (1993 was before my time):
3 Likes
To paraphrase Keating, it was “the loss they had to have”. Dogs played much better in the 2nd half, but of course, the game was over by half time.
Final score Broncos 42 - 18 Bulldogs
1 Like
They would then lose to the Broncos in the Grand Final (for a second consecutive year).
Wayne Bennett finished 3-0 vs Brian Smith in Grand Finals, also winning with the Dragons against the Roosters in 2010.
2 Likes
Who would have thought that 4-time reigning premiers Penrith would be on the bottom of the ladder? That follows their 10-26 loss to Manly at Commbank Stadium last night.
2 Likes
As they say, the bigger they are, the harder they fall.
I can also recall in 2005 (in another sport) that the Brisbane Lions (who had won a hat-trick of flags between 2001-03, and reached the GF in 2004) dropped to the bottom of the ladder after round five, and while they did recover somewhat, they lost their last three matches (including a record 139-point loss to St Kilda in the final round) to finish that season 11th.
Back on topic, and it seems that the salary cap is working as intended, with talent spread evenly across other clubs so as to level the playing field, so to speak.
3 Likes
I do wonder. Since next year ANZAC Day falls on a Saturday, will they do what they did back in 2015 and have a 5 game marathon? Or was that just a one off since it was the Centenary?
2 Likes
I can’t see TV wanting more than 3 games on the one day. That gives them content for about 7 hours straight including previews etc. Covers early evening and prime time nicely.
2 Likes
Since Anzac Day is on a Saturday in 2026, the only game Nine will be allowed to show on that day is Roosters v Dragons in late afternoon.
2 Likes
How did they do that? As in were there games on simultaneously?
Unless they do some other deal for the Storm game, you’d assume so.
Midday (2pm local) Warriors hosting the Titans
2pm - Knights v Cowboys
4pm - Roosters v Dragons
6pm - Storm v Manly
8pm - Broncos v Eels
3 Likes
Big day, should have one of those anyway at some point in the season. Chuck in Perth and you could have 6 games with a 10PM Eastern kickoff.
1 Like
I think that was the year that a massive hailstorm stopped the Roosters vs Dragons game for about 15 minutes.. very rare you see footy stopped mid game because of the weather.
2 Likes
That’s right - I can’t remember if they delayed the kickoffs of the other games as a result given the half an hour stoppage.
1 Like
I don’t remember either, I doubt they would have delayed other games because FOX didn’t have live simulcast rights to the Nine games back then, so they probably would have pressed on with their own 6pm Storm v Manly game coverage as originally scheduled as that was played in Melbourne.
1 Like
No they started at midday with a game in Auckland.
Went right through until 10pm. Last game starting at 8pm.
I was at the second game that started at 2pm
1 Like
Also i couldn’t help but notice that at some games during ANZAC Round they haven’t played the national anthems. I’m sorry but if they are going to have these services before games they should either do it properly or don’t bother having them.
They did on ANZAC Day…
I don’t think they should have the ceremonies beyond the day itself. Just becomes performative.
4 Likes
Problem is the same reason most teams who played away this year will be playing at home next year: every club wants to have their turn to run one. You’re right, it is performative, but it’ll never stop.