POST GAME Round 17 - Broncos vs Panthers

[Sproj]

100%.
I actually think if we play Dearden with Milford in those Warriors and Manly and perhaps even Tigers games we win. (Tigers because Croft was at his most despicable in this game, he let in 3 or so tries single handedly, I mean he didn't actually use his hands to make a tackle, but you get the drift). Coupled with a basic form of defence - I felt last night the wingers were at times staying on their wing (gasp). Even in that Staggs/Dearden mix up for the Sauce try Kennar tried to stay on his winger as long as possible.

Croft did give one hell of a high five on the way through for one of them though.

 

[winslow_wong]

Crichton is not a half back charged with guiding a team who just can't make metres in attack or defence. He was under enormous pressure. Big difference.

I bought into the hype for our forward pack from 2 years ago foolishly. I’m starting to think our backline and spine isn’t so bad but am now seeing that our forward pack is the problem and that includes the bench rotation.

 

[Xzei]

To be fair if the ruck was ruled the same way it was last year meters wouldn't be an issue

 

[Unbreakable]

View attachment 9832

Don't let Huge see that tackle efficiency, he might anoint Haas as the greatest defender to ever lace them up!

 

[Sproj]

I bought into the hype for our forward pack from 2 years ago foolishly. I’m starting to think our backline and spine isn’t so bad but am now seeing that our forward pack is the problem and that includes the bench rotation.

You aren't wrong but honestly, a fully fit Lodge, Flegler, motivated TPJ and Joffa unshackled from Seibold's stupidity would certainly make a difference compared to what was put out in the forwards last night.

I think the huge benefit in a horrid year has been the unearthing of Riki and dependability of Kennedy. Bullemor supports well too, just need to see something else from him.

 

[Kooly87]

I agree we must persist with Dearden. But let's not gloss over the fact that in tight matches those little lapses by any player (irrespective of age) can cost a W.

On the age perspective as well - very contrasting when they (commentry team) mention 19yr old Crichton doing freakish things in attack, topping tries but when they mention 19yr old Dearden, it's right after his been rag dolled in defence.

It's a far different prospect to be a 19 year old Centre playing off the back of a gun pack, outside the best set of Halves in the game, with a highly experienced and competent Winger outside him than it is to be a 19 year old Halfback behind a Forward Pack that is getting rolled every week and the 'senior' Half that is supposed to help you out has been a revolving door of passengers all year.

 

[Broncos Maestro]

One does wonder if the referees in the bunker were drunk

I thought that was a requirement? (As well as having a NSW bias too).

 

[Huge]

That's besides the point, no one is claiming you are the first to give out million dollar contracts. The consensus is that they are an awful idea both for the cap and for the impact and pressure it has on these young players. What is more baffling is the fact that the Titans got to see exactly how poorly it goes with the guys like Bird, Milford, Taylor etc. and still said "yep let's do that, but worse!"

Kind of savage replies to the Don. It's not like he's trolling or being a dick.

 

[The Don]

Kind of savage replies to the Don. It's not like he's trolling or being a dick.

You probably picked the kindest reply there haha. In all seriousness, it's not a problem I would be shocked if he was the only one with similar sentiment. At the end of the day he's entitled to that opinion and I prefer to just leave it alone or everyone sees me as hijacking the thread. Anyway I am off to watch the full replay so I can contribute without only having seen 2/3.

 

[rnabokov]

You aren't wrong but honestly, a fully fit Lodge, Flegler, motivated TPJ and Joffa unshackled from Seibold's stupidity would certainly make a difference compared to what was put out in the forwards last night.

I think the huge benefit in a horrid year has been the unearthing of Riki and dependability of Kennedy. Bullemor supports well too, just need to see something else from him.

True about a big difference to be made from those fully fit forwards. At the same time, their effectiveness will still be limited by our lousy pre-contact metres. For mine that is the single biggest problem we have next to our poor kicking game. We just don't make metres, and that's in both attack and defence. It's also not just having strong, fit forwards, it's about how they are deployed in bringing the ball up. We stand too flat, too flat footed when the pass is taken so that the defence is all over us before we make a measurable impact.

 

[Sproj]

True about a big difference to be made from those fully fit forwards. At the same time, their effectiveness will still be limited by our lousy pre-contact metres. For mine that is the single biggest problem we have next to our poor kicking game. We just don't make metres, and that's in both attack and defence. It's also not just having strong, fit forwards, it's about how they are deployed in bringing the ball up. We stand too flat, too flat footed when the pass is taken so that the defence is all over us before we make a measurable impact.

Oh I don't disagree by any means. That said, last year they seemed to go ok. I do think they clocked off this year, they also just were not fit and haven't been at all since the re-start and they have been totally confused by a poisonous attitude from some players and a coach out of his depth.

 

[Galah]

I think he’s got a good future or us. Good kid.
Works hard, does all the little things right.

I think Piakura, if we can hang on to him, and Riki are going to be a pretty solid pair of weapons for us in the future.

I still think Bullemore is going to be the one that surprises most.

Is there a bunch of teams sniffing around piakura?

 

[Sproj]

Is there a bunch of teams sniffing around piakura?

Without knowing anything, I will say yes because every single one of our kids gets touted as the next best thing and gets offered overs by everywhere else.

 

[Kooly87]

Kind of savage replies to the Don. It's not like he's trolling or being a dick.

I think he's about as polite and respectful as you could hope for in an opposition fan on this forum.

 

[rnabokov]

Oh I don't disagree by any means. That said, last year they seemed to go ok. I do think they clocked off this year, they also just were not fit and haven't been at all since the re-start and they have been totally confused by a poisonous attitude from some players and a coach out of his depth.

Just a small snippet observation here. In our 1st set, Patty gets the ball and take 5 running steps before he gets tackled .. and driven back. But @Huge's poster boy Kennedy runs from further back and takes about 10 running steps before he gets to the defensive line, and because of his momentum, bends it back making great metres, pre and post contact. That's what I am talking about. No reflection on Patty of course, and a definite plug for Rhys, however it is a pattern - the flat attacking line which gets repeated so much during the game.

This is one key area of our game which just hasn't developed over this season. We are one of the worst at making metres. You just can't win games playing like that.

 

[Kooly87]

Just a small snippet observation here. In our 1st set, Patty gets the ball and take 5 running steps before he gets tackled .. and driven back. But @Huge's poster boy Kennedy runs from further back and takes about 10 running steps before he gets to the defensive line, and because of his momentum, bends it back making great metres, pre and post contact. That's what I am talking about. No reflection on Patty of course, and a definite plug for Rhys, however it is a pattern - the flat attacking line which gets repeated so much during the game.

A huge part of the flat footed attacking runs comes from mediocre service from the Dummy Half and Halves. Great Dummy Halves are so much better at getting even poor Forwards on the front foot going forward, but we're sadly lacking in that in 2020.

 

[rnabokov]

A huge part of the flat footed attacking runs comes from mediocre service from the Dummy Half and Halves. Great Dummy Halves are so much better at getting even poor Forwards on the front foot going forward, but we're sadly lacking in that in 2020.

Bloody oath. Usually by taking off and running at the line before passing to forwards at full tilt.

 

[Finbar]

I just believe calling a kid front rower

I'm wondering how old you think Rhys Kennedy is because the kid is going to be 26 next month. He's certainly early on in his NRL career though and has real promise. Outperforms Ofahengaue for a fraction of the cost.