But every weekend has ended in disappointment so far this season.
Promising. Character. Gutsy. Valiant. All words that get thrown around.
The Broncos are not that far off the pace despite posting six consecutive losses.
They ran in five tries against the competition front-runner University at the University Oval last weekend.
An upset looked on the cards for a period. They scored on either side of halftime to pile pressure on the students.
But they made a couple of defensive lapses and victory slipped away.
They lost 42-25, but looked like a team that could be dangerous with another year together.
They might also be dangerous this weekend. They play Zingari-Richmond at Montecillo.
Both teams are winless and a little desperate. Zingari will be even more soon.
The Colours were shredded 92-12 by Taieri at Peter Johnstone Park on Saturday.
They were fielding a depleted lineup, which goes some way towards explaining the massive deficit.
They were also up against a Taieri side that is fizzing.
But Alhambra-Union just appear to be in a better place.
The Thode twins, Oliver and Will, give the Broncos genuine quality at halfback and first five respectively.
The front row of Benjamin Latu, Sam Smith and Petelo Amato set a solid platform.
Loose forward Zac Perrett hits a lot of rucks. So to does lock Charlie Heller;
Midfielder Amaziah Mitchell has been sound on defence.
It is a little hard to understand how they have not posted a win yet.
Where they have struggled, though, is converting opportunities into points.
They did better on that score against University, and that will have given them some confidence.
Kaikorai host Green Island in what shapes as the game of the round.
The Grizzlies were beaten 40-29 in their last outing and had last weekend off to ruminate.
Kaikorai edged Dunedin 28-19, and a couple of weeks ago they dispatched Harbour 66-22.
Southern recorded a healthy 37-17 win against Harbour at Watson Park on Saturday, but they will go into their home game against University as firm underdogs.
The Magpies have the VG Cavanagh Memorial in the clubhouse, but University has a perfect record this season.
The students have strung together six wins and picked up a four-try bonus point each time.
Dunedin host Taieri at Kettle Park. Taieri has hit some good form.
They routed Zingari-Richmond but have also recorded wins against Southern, Green Island and Kaikorai in the last four weeks.
Dunedin has just two wins and they have been against the bottom two sides. They need a good victory to get their campaign back on track.
• Congratulations to Caleb Neilson, who refereed his 100th division 1 club game last weekend.
