Former Dragons Ashton Sim's dropped ball in the final minute of the Broncos final against the Storm, gave the visitors the springboard they needed to launch their final attacking play in great field position. While Sims dropped the ball, many Broncos can be criticised for not getting in correct defensive position and the lack of urgency in getting accross to cover the overlap was obvious. They were out on their feet.

Fans of the Broncos have spent much of last night, texting me with stories of Sims. Sims must be feeling the worst of any Bronco right now, but his mistake was the last of so many last night from the Broncos. These mistakes ultimately killed them.

The exciting thing for any Dragons supporter, is the Bennett factor. If Bennett can conjure up that sort of toughness in the Dragons next year, LOOK OUT. After the intense week of villification, the Broncos were amazing.

We wax a bit lyrical about our favourite Micro Brewery here in Capalaba Queensland. There is a reason. Great beer (brewed from the grain) great prices, great friends and great company. They are having an open day and everyone in invited along to come and try the beer. I can guarantee that you will not be disapointed. Here are the details. Come along, you have nothing to lose. 

 Come and join us on Saturday 23rd August from 10am to 2pm.
Sample some of the beers on offer, and chat to members of the Bacchus Brewers Club about why Bacchus Beers are second to none.
Three styles will be on offer and it's your chance to experience the all grain beers which we produce.
1. Bacchus Gold - Mid strength - Medium bodied golden lager 3.5%
2. Arties Special - Bacchus Pilsner - Light bodied german style 4.3%
3. Frilly Lizard - Australian Classic hoppy lager 4.9%

TASTE THE DIFFERENCE of a full mash beer

Hope to see you there........

Unit 1, 2 Christine Place
Capalaba Brisbane

Phone: 07 3823 5252
Fax: 07 3823 5454

It was supposed to have been the triumphant return of the chosen one. It was supposed to be a foregone conclusion of a win. It was supposed to have been the start of an almost full-strength Broncos charging at the back-end of the competition and making a play for the crown. The Bulldogs were expected to be cannon fodder for the mighty Broncos. It turned out to be everything it wasn't supposed to be.

The Broncos talked all week. They were feeling good, they were almost at full-strength. Locky felt they would make a charge. This week was the week to start the charge. Over 37,500 showed up believing it. In th 37,500 was a smattering of hopeful Bulldogs that prayed the Doggies would put up a showing. As expected the Doggies turned up to play against the Broncos, a team they love playing, especially at Suncorp.

From a team that couldn't play, their forwards were strong, their halves were smart, SBW was his intimidating best, without being his playing best. They turn four points into six better than any other team. Today they showed the Broncos and thier fans that they can still do what they set out to do. Play Football.

For the Broncos, they really must look at who they are getting value off. Greg Eastwood, stalks around the field, but misses more tackles than makes; Joel Clinton has been disapointing; Ashton Sims is reliving his Dragons days; even Tonie Carroll was off today, putting the ball day on a number of occasions. Locky was quiet and they lacked cohesiveness in the hook and halves combination. They need to find some toughness and go forward, because they had none today.

On a day, the Dragons turned back the clock to Round 6 with a woeful performance, the Broncos relived thier season ending slump of recent seasons. Is this just the start?

The Broncos don't lose players. Well, they used to say that. But the aura of Wayne Bennett has certainly gone. Hannant, Kemp, Ennis and Boyd are either certain, or rumoured to be leaving. Petro last year, and so did Brent Tate.

The integrity of the joint must be in question. Remember, Petro was adamant that he was "promised" by Wayne Bennett a farewell contract befitting his status in the game, when he knocked back a Cowboys offer that dwarfed the Broncos offer from a few years back. Wayne is no longer there, the promises have been proven as shallow and on top of that Wayne has been proved to have taken under the counter payments for his kids from a rich supporter.

Players now appear to be putting themselves first, and the aura of the Broncos and the very fabric of the place has changed forever.

It is not every day, that Wayne Bennett signs with the Dragons and with it comes the associated media rumours and innuendo. Bennett has told the media circus that he will not make any further comment on the Dragons until the season finishes. So what happens? The media creates its own. We have seen the following since:

1. Luke Rooney from Penrith joining the Dragons to link with Bennett
2. Comments made that Bennet likes the local junior and development out of the Dragons, and this is slated as one of the main reasons for his decision.
3. Ashton Sims has a get-out clause to rejoin the Dragons
4. Steve Michaels to join the Dragons after the announcement of Israel Folou joins the Broncos

Over the next year we will see anyone with half a link to Bennett, being tipped to join the Dragons. Bennett doesn't have to make a comment, the media will make it up.

I suppose that this blog will also have a lot more comment that what was originally envisaged.

The Dragons made the back page twice this week here in Brisbane. The impressive victory on Monday night against media darlings the Gold Coast Titans gave the Qld Dragons supporters club something to read in the Courier Mail. Then blow me down, we backed it up later with the "Bennett going to the Dragons" or Saint Benny as we like to call it. Dragons fans have actually had something to read this week in the QLD media, but as can be expected the locals still garner the most.

Interesting, I overheard a conversation at Logandale Golf Course with a trio of Senior Citizens talking about the Dragons. Unfortunately the game being discussed was the first round debacle against the Tigers. Maybe we are just a little behind in Qld.

What a contrasting day for ole Dragon in Broncotown. Went down to watch the Broncos belt the Panthers and walked away with complete admiration for former Dragon Ashton Sims, who played a huge game. He made inroads with the footy everytime and made some absolutely amazing hits which stung the Penrith players time and time again. Importantly, I think he only got penalised once, made no stupid errors and played his role to perfection. An amazing improvement from the error prone player at the Dragons.

Contrast that to the ill-disciplined display that Dragons fans were forced to endure again. Dropped balls without pressure, silly penalties forced passes again were the subject of the day. Its almost like Browny must train them for this. The scoreline flattered the Dragons today, while the Broncos were just dominant. And from Sims perspective, what a difference a coach makes.

It's now just hours away to the kick-off of the 2008 NRL season, and while I am excited to gather some mates tonight to watch two great games, I am yearning for the my team The Mighty Saints to play my good mate Grovers team, the Tigers, on Sunday.

While this week has been an incredibly informative one in updating me on Lockyers leg, Thurstons Shoulder, Baileys commitment and everything else to do with the Broncos, Cowboys and Titans, news on the Dragons have accounted for just a few lines.

A token few throwaway about Browny and his struggling status in 2008.

Sunday cannot come quick enought, as I savour the thought that the Dragons might just do the unthinkable and start the season with a commanding win. I will be listening patiently on my radio as I make my way back from Suncorp. Yes Suncorp when I once again will put up with that screaming Broncos fan that sits behind us. The one with limited knowledge of the game, who screams about all the alledged injustices that encounter her side.

The only plus side, is that Grover this season will be sitting with us and this Sunday he has vowed to wear his Balmain gear. I will have a soulmate as we leave for the bus, plug in the radio and listen to the Tigers-Saints game with a clear anticipation of watching it at 4, unless Channel 9 has anything to do with it.

I am a born Dragon. Dad used to referee around NSW country, notably Glen Innes in Group 5, I think it was. He was Red and White through and through and this was bred into me and my brothers. There was only one team, the Dragons. We moved to QLD when eight and I witnessed the pre-origin days where QLD would keep pace for 3/4 of the game, only to get over-run in the last 1/4I became a QLDER, but could never lose Dragons from my blood. I cheered on Artie when Origin came, loved King Wally but could never become a Bronco.

I spent some years in Townsville, coming back to Brisbane in 1994. I have a huge soft spot for the Cowboys as I witnessed the hard work that they put in to get in the comp. Of course I saw the Broncos dismantle the Dragons in 92, 93 while up north, but still couldn't bring myself to cheer the Broncs.

To cut a long story short, it is not hard to be affected by the Broncos when you live in Brisbane. My wife and two kids love the Broncos and we have been Broncos season ticket holders now for 8 years. I enjoy watching the footy, but still can't bring myself to get excited about the Broncos. The 2006 Premiership was nice and I watched most games and followed them along the way, but they aren't my team.

So what is this blog about. My life in Bronco Town. The internet brings me closer to the Dragons, but the mass media starves me of info up here and dishes out Broncos and Titans. Hear my frusutrations here, hope you find it entertaining.