I've paid my dues -
Time after time -
I've done my sentence
But committed no crime -
And bad mistakes
I've made a few
I've had my share of sand kicked in my face -
But I've come through
We are the champions - my friends
And we'll keep on fighting - till the end -
We are the champions -
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions - of the world -
I've taken my bows
And my curtain calls -
You brought me fame and fortuen and everything that goes with it
-
I thank you all -
But it's been no bed of roses
No pleasure cruise -
I consider it a challenge before the whole human race -
And I ain't gonna lose -
We are the champions - my friends
And we'll keep on fighting - till the end -
We are the champions -
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions - of the world
Oh my God. Oh my God, what a feeling. This feels so much better than in 2001 because I didn't think we had a sniff with this one with all the injuries we were suffering from and of course the confidence problems we were suffering with. I heard the team sheet in the car on the way there and thought that if things went against us we could effectively lose two of our substitutes as Cunningham and Sculthorpe were far from fit. As it turns out Scully was in fine shape and even without the knee brace. Let's hope that means he is now ready to recapture his form of 2000 - 2002 when he was the best player on the planet by a million miles.
Within early minutes of the kick off it was obvious to me that Jason Cayless wasn't fully fit either. The weather that changed the game on its head in 2001 was present again only this time it seemed it was going to conspire against us. Gardner dropped a bomb and it fell very kindly for Corey Parker, who could not fail to score from that range. We can't say we weren't warned - Long had had to make a sensational tackle on Brent Tate after a lucky bounce fell into his hands and it looked like he was going to go full length. Maybe at that point, as Long forced Tate into touch against all odds, that it was going to be our night. That gave me the strength to believe as it has been a tough few weeks. Even when the Broncos scored, I still believed.
What worried me more than the Broncos was the Aussie pisspot who was refereeing. He had an awful game and made so many mistakes it wasn't funny. I know it's pre-season for him too but it just wasn't good enough. He missed so many high shots on both teams, does not know the "not standing square" rule and missed a BLATANT forward pass for the second Brisbane try. An absolutely disgraceful performance from the Australian official. But against English teams, isn't it always? Bent *******.
Anyway, a penalty against Matthew Gidley for a "dangerous tackle" (and it was as well) put us 8-0 down and at that you realised just how unfit the Broncos are. They were well short after 20 minutes, which is totally understandable of course. However, before that excuse is reeled out, we've only played 3 games ourselves. Mistake followed mistake, but Saints, for all their pressing, just could not make it tell. We were camped in the Brisbane 40 metre area for 15 minutes pretty much, but good defence, poor decision making and the odd dropped ball made it look like we were going to go in at 8-0 down as the half time hooter approached with the Broncos in our 20. What a difference 30 seconds can make. A knock on and a penalty for mauling about at the play of the ball later, we were in their 20. There is some debate as to whether or not the ball was out or not but it looked pretty clear to me at the game, and having been partying all night long I have had chance to watch the replay so it was the right call for mine.
Gardner crashed over in the corner after a good move out wide. It wanted scoring, that try, he had to cut back in and keep hold of the ball as he got biffed. Get biffed he did, but score he did. It's little things like that that suddenly make you realise that it's going to be your night, as with the Long tackle earlier. And when the touchline conversion from Scully flew over... it just makes you believe. We have struggled kicking goals all season long and when someone who has taken 5 shots at goal in 2 years slams that over, it makes you think...
Half time came and went quickly and the poor weather subsided, with the greasy pitch the only obstacle now. As I expected, the Broncs started the second half strongly as the rest did them good, and suddenly my optimism was punctured as just 4 minutes into the second half we fell further behind after a great cross field kick from Lockyer (just about the only thing he did all night, he wasn't interested) was easily gathered by Darius Boyd. It was a poor try for us to concede from my point of view as our defence was packed and people didn't slide and take any responsibility. Great kick though, inch perfect. It should never have happened because the officials should have been doing their job and spotted the mile forward pass earlier in the move. Disgraceful. Corey Parker comically missed his kick from almost directly under the sticks, and that was a let off for us.
In all honesy, the next incident changed the game. It should have disappeared for us in a cloud of smoke, my exctasy now replaced with agony. It was there and Lockyer dropped it. All came from our mistake - Gidley dropping an easy ball. Time seemed to stand still as the golden boot winner slid toward the ball gathering the ball... what a mistake. It seemed to squirm from his grasp as he slid. Luckily enough for us it went forward and the video ref ruled the knock on.
A few more uncomfortable moments followed but we managed to keep them out and then played clever rugby - moving the ball out wide and pulling the Broncos over the field. They visibily tired and it was no surprise and a great sight to see the returning Sculthorpe crash over just to the left of sticks. Same reasoning as their second try really - the defence was packed and someone slipped as well I think. We had been dominating the game at that point and the pressure told. We had also missed a massive chance when Leon Pryce knocked on with a three on one overlap to his right. That was try time. But we got our reward eventually.
We got a bit excited having drawn level (Scully drilled the goal nicely) and after a few sets, Matt Gidley again gave away a penalty. The comical Parker managed to convert that and suddenly we were chasing the game again, despite being the better team at that point. As the clock ticked into the last 9 minutes, the defining moment arrived. Long's huge crossfield bomb was brilliantly caught by Gardner, who plopped the ball down to put us into the lead. Gardner is like that - he can be awful one minute and then brilliant next. It was a great try and I think our expansive rugby had made us deserve it to be honest. Scully again knocked the kick over, quite brilliantly, and suddenly with 8 to go we lead by 4 points.
In truth, it was quite comfortable. Apart from one penalty, which produced a kick which Meli did brilliantly to escape from his in goal area with the ball, the only time the Broncos threatened was when they briefly made an opening with 12 seconds left but Wellens gobbled them up and Michaels threw the ball straight to Jon Wilkin, confirming what we are - THE CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD!
It was a great sight seeing Long lift the 4th trophy in 6 months. We have actually now won everything we possibly can. On a sour note, I lost all the respect I had for the Broncos when they decided to **** off down the tunnel without staying to congratutulate us. Sore losers, but what's new? Thankfully they got sent back out, which was all the more humiliating. Ah well. Same goes for the Fanatics who were out there giving everyone grief on the way out - I might be a whinging Pom, but I'm a World Champion. Enjoy the flight home.
Yeah.. that's sounds good. WORLD CHAMPION! YES, YES, YES! GET IN!
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!
