Storm are like Winx, they turn up and we all expect them to score
NATHAN:
Is there a better time of year than September? The footy finals parlayed into the start of the spring carnival. Chris, you have plenty of great spring memories, but being the cocky little pocket rocket you are, no doubt you would have fancied yourself as a rugby league player back in the day?
Chris:
Yep. I was a halfback. No mucking around. I played until I stopped growing and they bloody kept growing. I guess I was about 14 or 15. I wish they had brought in those weight divisions they are talking about when I was still playing. I might have captained Australia!
Nathan:
Scott what about you? Could you have swapped a jersey for a set of silks?
Scott:
If I dropped about 20kg I could probably sit on one, but just driving at 60km/h is enough for me, let alone sitting on a horse. I would have to get strapped in with a seatbelt.
Nathan:
In racing, we now just expect Winx to turn up and win every time she races. Are the Melbourne Storm a Winxtype proposition to win the premiership?
Scott:
100 per cent. The way they are playing you would think no one can beat them. The only way they could let this title slip through their fingers is if they allow it. That might sound a bit arrogant, but that’s just the way it is.
Chris:
I’ve always been a Broncos man ever since I came up to Queensland as a kid. I don’t think they are out of it. Obviously they have a big job in front of them with the injury to Darius Boyd, but I still think they will be very competitive. They will beat the Roosters. Even with Darius out. And I wouldn’t say they couldn’t beat Melbourne. If they all turn up, they can give them a fight.
Scott:
I would love to see the Broncos win too. I retired a Bronco in 2013 and I’m still working at the club with the Beyond The Broncos indigenous program throughout schools. The way they are playing their footy is really exciting. The “Milf” (Anthony Milford) is carving up, Benny Hunt is showing some really good signs at hooker, but the injury to Darius Boyd could play a massive role through the finals series. I don’t think they can win it without him at the back. They need him fit and healthy.
Nathan:
Benji Marshall has received the call-up to start this week. It’s a dozen years since you won the premiership together at the Tigers. Do you still stay in touch?
Scott:
It still seems like yesterday. Don’t worry, I’m hanging on to that title and using it to get free drinks around the joint! Benji and I still have a bit of a yarn. He’s really excited about the opportunity. I think he’s the right choice at starting half and he will help our fifthtackle options.
Nathan:
Scott, we’ve got four fairly warm favourites in the first week of the NRL finals. If you had to pick the game most likely to produce an upset, which would it be?
Scott:
The Cowboys-Sharks is the one that sends out a red flag for me. The Sharks are the defending premiers, but they’ve had indifferent form this year. Even the way they performed last week against Newcastle – don’t get me wrong everyone’s excited about playing finals the following week – there were signs around their performance that suggest this could be an upset.
Nathan:
There’s been a lot of talk about Winx since her nailbiting win last week. Chris, is she vulnerable or still invincible?
Chris:
Her first-up win was nothing short of sensational, but I thought her second win was tradesmanlike. It could have been the hard run first-up flattening her slightly, or the earmuffs causing her to switch off and relax more than she normally does, but seeing that run, I think she’s beatable now.
Nathan:
Queensland has Houtzen flying the flag in the McEwen Stakes at Moonee Valley tomorrow. Do you expect her to measure up?
Chris:
I think she’s a very good filly. There will be a lot of improvement going into The Everest (at Randwick) next month, but having said that, she’s still brilliant enough to run a hell of a race.
Nathan:
Is there a specific horse the readers should follow through the spring?
Chris:
I really like the look of the Caulfield Guineas favourite Royal Symphony. He’s been so impressive in everything he’s done and I would be surprised if he doesn’t measure right up to the best races.