There's a quote from Kobe Bryant that says, "Everything negative - pressure, challenges; Is as opportunity for me to rise." I think that quote has never been truer than it is for us today. We're under all this pressure, massive pressure. So much so, that I don't think I've felt this kind of heat this early in a Season. Going up to Brisbane tonight is a massive challenge, one of the biggest we'll face in the NRL and we are so up against it. But with all that, comes great opportunity to rise about that, to rise as one and become the team we know we can be.
Good morning my fellow South Sydney members and fans, rise and shine because we all know what day it is today. Wherever you are in the world, get up, get your colours on, get moving, belt out a Glory, Glory and let's gooo because today is game dayyyyy!!!!!
I've got to say, as a fan, I'm really feeling it today. This just has that big, crucial game feel to it. I'm really feeling the nerves for this one today more than anything else if I'm honest. Not feeling confident at all. In saying that, sometimes not being confident as a fan can yield a good result so let's hope that happens tonight. No one is giving us a chance in hell of winning this game. Let's go out and stick it to them!!
We've built up a bit of a rivalry with the Broncos in recent years. Ever since the whole Bennett-Seibold thing, there's certainly been a bit of feeling between the two clubs. And while both those coaches are no longer at either club, the feeling of dislike still remains, I'm sure. At least, it does for me. That feeling is probably fueled now by Reynolds' departure to them. Would love to get one over him again! Especially after the way things ended up last year.
I think I can speak for everyone when I say I'm under no allusions as to how tough this game tonight is going to be. Brisbane made a Grand Final last year and almost won the damn thing. Once again, in 2024, they will be right up there as one of the best teams competing for the Premiership. They have so much speed, athleticism and strike right across the park in both the forwards and the backs. They are very, very hard to contain at the best of times. That's why I don't really see a 'key' to winning this one as such because there's no one key area you have to get on top of the Broncos to win. It's literally right across the park with them and that is a daunting prospect.
I will tell you one thing though, for us, today is all about defence. We know we have the attack and strike, even against a team like Brisbane, but defending our line is still a real worry. It looked awful in Round 1, and I want to see much better tonight, I need to see much better tonight, or we could be in trouble. Line speed, line speed, line speed and make your bloody tackles. No defensive errors, we need to be a lot more switched on there and we need to just get physical with them. We have an opportunity to make a statement today. Yea, we're missing some firepower but this is a side that is still more than capable of winning today. I want to see the pride restored. I want to see the passion restored and I want to see the hunger restored. We are South Sydney! The oldest, proudest and loudest club there is. Get out there and show it!! We really don't want to go 0-2.
So tonight, we are massively under pressure and it's a huge, huge challenge. But as Kobe says, with that, comes a great opportunity to rise, and I'd love nothing more than to rise tonight. Go get it boys!! Let's goooooo!!!
Glory, Glory.
