As we sit down to look at the 2018 Men’s and Women’s Open’s State Cup preview, it is hard not to reflect on the 30th consecutive State Cup at Port Macquarie. For you history buffs back in 1989 it was the Mark Boland lead Parramatta, in the middle of their run of 11 Cups in 13 years who held the trophy aloft in the Men’s Open. While in the ladies department it was Lisa Neal and the Eels who ended a run of seven (7) straight for Karen Smith’s Sutherland team. This enabled the western Sydney club to take out a unique double. It was the first time it was done and has only occurred on two other occasions, both by the Canterbury Bulldogs in 2007 and again in 14. But what about this year? Last year we asked if we were on the verge of history? No open’s team has ever done the triple- Country Championships, Vawdon Cup and State Cup. Doyalson had the chance but slipped out in the Semi Final stage. Did the pressure get to them? We likely will never know, but the Dragons have an opportunity to atone in 2018, and again are on the cusp of history. They won Country, they won Vawdon and are now poised to take home the Cup. Luck may be on their side, as they survived close shaves in both events to take the title. Or have they used all their luck from 2018? The other factor to consider for Doyalson, is with their success has come extra workload at both national and state level for a number of their players, and on the back of a tough Origin campaign will this help or hinder their tilt at the 2018 Cup? Now on paper, for the Dragons it looks a simple task, they have taken on all comers over the past 18 months and had their measure on nearly every occasion. However, we all know that the Cup is not easy to win. Look at Wests, four (4) finals in a row without a result. Like every State Cup, it is the elements that you don’t have to contend with at other event, that always provides the greatest X Factor. It remains the most significant and hardest event to win. It is why it remains so popular and why teams and individuals from right across the world keep coming back. So rightfully Doyalson will start favourites, a saddle cloth that looked slightly uncomfortable last year. Where will their challenges come from? In a field of 17 for the Men’s premier division, there is no shortage of those lining up to toss the Dragons and stop history, and the list runs deep! Now everyone seemed surprised by the Eels making the Vawdon Cup GF. If I am honest I had the Panthers beating them in the prelim final. The only ones who weren’t surprised or seemingly bothered by it all were the Eels themselves. This might be their greatest asset this campaign - that they are running with freedom and without the weight of expectation. Don’t forget a number of these players were members of the 2015 team that took Murwillumbah down, so they have done it before. It’s teams like Parramatta and these youngsters coming through, the new brigade if you like that have nothing to lose and will play with that attitude that makes this year’s Cup so intriguing for me. Are we on the verge of something new or will the old school stand up? Then there are the likes of last years Champs- Hornsby, who experience wise is old school but play like they are still in their teens. They don’t care if you score 5 against them, they’ll back themselves to put 6 or 7 on you. If you follow the form, then you’d be comfortable in stating that the Penrith Panthers will be in big one Sunday afternoon. Despite the hiccup against Parramatta, they seemed to be in the best form of all the teams late in the Vawdon Cup. So this should play out positively for them. Then there is Wests, the perennial bridesmaid of recent times. While they seemed to play their best at the Cup, they have suffered a significant blow with the loss of Justin Costello who broke his radius just two minutes into Origin game 1. Bankstown Sports were dangerous all season and are another team that will be one to watch when the Cup starts on the first Friday in December. WHAT IS THE GENERAL MANAGER’S VIEW? THE CUP STATE CUP OPENS CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW 28 | Keeping In Touch 2018