POST GAME Finals week 2 - Broncos vs Panthers

[Taylor1921]

Shot clock for getting off the field or it's a penalty.

Except when they need assistance, of course.

So if someone is knocked out? It's the game ffs stop complaining, if there an injury it stops. Sport is about winning at all odds, don't make excuses. The biggest problem in NRL is whinging fans.

 

[Kimlo]

Me too. Could not have been prouder of Kevvie. The look on his face, you could see he couldn't believe he was hearing this bullshit.

Walters always sticks up for us, you can tell he's still a big fan, it makes me doubt there's any bad blood between him and Bennett because he certainly doesn't show it.

 

[Super Freak]

So if someone is knocked out?

I'm guessing you didn't read the last sentence of his comment.

 

[ivanhungryjak]

Shout out to Broncos legend Gorden Tallis.
Pre game MMM tips were:
Ben Hannant - Broncos
Wendell Sailor - Broncos
Gorden Tallis -



Penrith.

 

[Sproj]

McCullough is missed so much, as good as Ben Hunt is in attack, we are more complete with McCullough at hooker.

How?

 

[Foordy]

Not missed even slightly. His value to the team is evident with him out, he's pretty worthless. A good defender, a good clubman, a good bloke, but an average footballer. That's not to say average is bad, there's a lot of below average players in the NRL, but that's all he is, nothing special, never will be.

how about we dress Macca up in a Hunt mask and ship him off to the Dragons instead ... I'm nit sure Mary is smart enough to notice :P

 

[winslow_wong]

Walters always sticks up for us, you can tell he's still a big fan, it makes me doubt there's any bad blood between him and Bennett because he certainly doesn't show it.

If bennett asked Walters to help him out this week with even something as small as video analysis, Walters would do it in a heartbeat

 

[Sproj]

Here we go, post-match player scores:

1. KNik - He dropped a sitter but took an absolute screamer so that kind of equals itself out anyway. He was sublime in chiming in whenever he wanted ans that play to set up Roberts was absolute class and something he is becoming quite renowned for. You know he's going to run it on the outside shoulder, the defense knows he's going to do it and yet he does it and it works anyway, classy. He was great all night but there is one thing I really want to give him a wrap for - his kick returns. He is tiny and got smashed repeatedly, particularly by Campbell-Gillard (who was great for them by the way, he is becoming something special) but kept getting up and kept running back at pace, that shows a lot of guts. what a gun. 9
2. Oates - He was causing headaches to the Panthers right side defense before getting a massive headache of his own to end his night on what was just an absolute 'what the' moment. Losing him made a massive difference even though Mead was actually excellent in replacing Oates, showed just how good Oates was going. 7
3. Roberts - He needs KNik at 7 because they just read each other so well. He did a lot of tidy up work in defense and is just so electric he is making the most of very limited opportunities in the back end of the season...look for that to change next week...just a hunch. 7
4. Moga - I am one of his biggest critics but he was very good last night. Yes he gave a bonehead penalty and kept rushing in BUT he learned from last week. He rushed in and made it count when he needed to, shows that big melon of his does have a little bit of thinking happening. He was really good. 8
5. Kahu - What on earth was with the goal kicking? This is a major problem for us moving into next week. Kahu was solid and total respect for a guy playing on one leg, he is one gutsy player that's for sure and how good was that drop goal! 7
6. Milford - A really weird game from the Milf. He was responsible for KOing Oates which was a massive turning point in the game. He kept making half breaks and looked dangerous a lot of the game but mixed it up with some real head scratchers as well, particularly THAT pass. He gets smashed repeatedly but just keeps going, he is a tough little nut that's for sure. It wasn't his best game but he was still very dangerous, look out Melbourne, that's all I can say because you just know he is going to have a big game. 6
7. Marshall - It has been said a few times that he isn't an 80 minute player anymore...I agree BUT he offers us something very important off the bench and we will see that next week with Boyd hopefully back. I have the sneaking suspicion these are the games he was bought to the club for and he may well be the difference next week, I just have a hunch. His defense was a lot better than I remember for a while last night. That try to the prime ministers wasn't his fault really. 7
8. Thaiday - He doesn't have full seasons of quality in him anymore but what he does have is big game experience and that will be vital next week. He was pretty good mostly with the exception of the miss on RCG (sheesh his name is long) which was really, really poor. He also knocked himself out on a night when it seemed pretty much everyone was doing that as well. BUT his intimidation of Mansour at a crucial moment served to fire the boys up, he is primed for a big game against the Storm, just wait and see. 6
9. Hunt - Man we are losing a good 'un. He is the next best hooker in the game right now behind Smith and that is some achievement for a guy who has been there for like six weeks. 44 tackles...in the middle of the field...against big blokes...from a halfback, wow! He was desperate all night and made a number of big tackles at crucial moments and you could see how fired up he was EVERY SINGLE TIME...and there were many times. Macca could do that as well sure BUT Hunt offers so much in attack as well. His pass to Oates for his try showed such good vision as well. He is picking his runs, passes and kicks well, really well and kicked the ball straight into Wallace's ugly face as well, top stuff. Yes he gave away that penalty but goodness me, that sort of offside happens every tackle, every game, doesn't stop him getting a perfect score from me, he was just that good. 10
10. Blair - He must have his future sorted because he wanted it last night, badly. He ran like a man possessed, tackled like a man possessed and had some nice offloads. He is a big key for us up against his old club next week, look out Melbourne this is one guy who is primed and ready to explode. 9
11. Glenn - How good has he been in the back half of this season! He made it his mission to terrorize the Panthers right side defense and tackled enough for three guys to shut down their right side all night, what a game. He is just so important for us to be playing so well on the left given Gillett on the right is having a few issues of late. Dare I say it, he is playin Teo-like. Glenn was just shaded by Hunt on the night, just and that says it all. 9.5
12. Gillett - Shocking first half from the best second-rower in the world but he went a long way to making amends in the second half. He really stepped it up in that second forty and he needs to do that and more for the full 80 next week to shut down the Storm's left side attack because what he produced in the first forty last night was awful. He is a big game player though these days so I'm confident he will. 5
13. McGuire - I am really beginning to think (like others) he should probably be the next captain. He leads by example, and goodness me what an example that is. He is just so quick off the mark and has such good footwork for a guy his size. He hits hard and he sticks, he is the second best forward in the game these days (Burgess hasn't had the best season) behind Taumololo and that says it all. He has such a big motor too and given our injuries, he might well be required to play 80 next week or the one after and he looks like he could do so easily...probably even 160. He is the heart andsoul of our forward pack since Gillett has gone backwards in the back end of the year. 9.5

14. Mead - Ok, aside from @meady, who else actually was excited when he came on after Oates knocked himself out? I for one was extremely worried and then Mead decided that he was going to put egg on a lot of our faces by proceeding to be absolutely excellent for the rest of the game. He took a number of high pressure catches, great kick returns, took Moga's horrid pass and tackled solidly. Chapeau sir, chapeau! 8.5
15. Arrow - He went on, knocked himself out, wobbled back into the defensive line, pulled off a number of good tackles, VERY reluctantly got taken off three minutes later for HIA, failed his HIA, came back to the sideline with an interchange card somehow, got told he couldn't go back on, looked incredibly disappointed and stood there waiting. That is why some of us rate him so highly, he has sort an amazing work ethic and does not want to let anyone down. I'm giving him a 6 simply because his three minutes was highly entertaining. 6
16. Joffa - Anyone see his stats? NRL.com has him at 51 minutes, 15 runs for 124 metres, 35 tackles...and he looked like he could have kept on going. It isn't really surprising to be honest because coming through the ranks, him and Arrow were renowned for having such big motors. Joffa is turning momentum when he comes on and he has been doing it since coming back into the side and his one-two punch with TPJ will be a massive weapon for us next week if the starting the guys can simply hold their own in the opening 20 which is a big ask up against the relentless Storm machine. Joffa is a machine and an absolute gun for us. He could easily be starting and when he came back on after Thaiday KO'd himself, we actually seemed to go better. Great game from the kid. 8.5
17. Ese'ese - Like Joffa, is a massive weapon off the bench and his career will go to new heights down in Newcastle next season, oh well you can't keep them all. How do we fit Ese'ese, Joffa, TPJ, Arrow and Marshall on the same bench? You need Marshall which means one of those other four misses out unfortunately and for me, it is a real toss of the coin between Ese2 and Arrow but I'd go with Arrow because he just offers more defensively which you need against Melbourne. Joffa and TPJ are non-negotiable. Anyway, back on topic, Ese2 was really good once again, well done. 7

 

[Sproj]

If bennett asked Walters to help him out this week with even something as small as video analysis, Walters would do it in a heartbeat

Yep, Walters is and always will be a Broncos fan and won't let personal agendas get in the way of that, unlike a certain raging bald man.

 

[ZTop]

Ofahengaue's happy birthday

September 16, 2017

Brisbane Broncos prop Joe Ofahengaue turned 22 on Friday night and there was one present he wanted most – a semi-final victory over the Penrith Panthers.

And that is what he got, with his side putting together a gutsy performance to win 13-6 at Suncorp Stadium and book a flight to face the Storm in Melbourne in Friday's preliminary final.

It took a great amount of effort and determination from the Broncos who finished with just one fit player on the bench after Corey Oates, Jai Arrow and Sam Thaiday all went down with head knocks.

Those player losses prompted Ofahengaue to help lift Brisbane to victory, with the newly turned 22-year-old digging deep to play the most minutes of his career.

Ofahengaue was exhausted after his 51-minute stint and he had reason to be after making 35 tackles and running for 124 metres.

Despite being out on his feet, the young forward still took time to talk post match to NRL.com, elated with the result.

"It's the best birthday present I've ever had and it's been the best year of footy I've had. I'm enjoying footy and I'm loving life at this club," Ofahengaue said.

"We all just kept pushing on because we knew it was do or die. To Penrith's credit, they just kept turning up all night. We had to be a bit better to get the win and we were."

Brisbane's goal-line defence was what made them that little bit better, making 35 tackles inside their own 20-metre line as they clung to their lead.

That equates to six sets for Penrith to try and crack the Broncos' line from close range, but they could only do it once, with Reagan Campbell-Gillard crashing over in the 64th minute.

Neither side wanted to bow out of the competition this early and that is why it was such a physical contest according to Ofahengaue.

"I'd have to say it is definitely one of the more physical games I've ever played in. I copped like three head knocks. I think some of the others boys were feeling the same way. We had to throw everything at them in defence. We didn't want to lose," he said.

"Intent-wise, both teams wanted it. It was just so pleasing for me to go out there and get a win on my birthday. That does not happen very often.

"I'm just so stoked that all the boys turned up. We all trusted each other and that's what we needed to do."

Source: NRL.com

Great article

 

[Super Freak]

9. Hunt - Man we are losing a good 'un. He is the next best hooker in the game right now behind Smith and that is some achievement for a guy who has been there for like six weeks. 44 tackles...in the middle of the field...against big blokes...from a halfback, wow! He was desperate all night and made a number of big tackles at crucial moments and you could see how fired up he was EVERY SINGLE TIME...and there were many times. Macca could do that as well sure BUT Hunt offers so much in attack as well. His pass to Oates for his try showed such good vision as well. He is picking his runs, passes and kicks well, really well and kicked the ball straight into Wallace's ugly face as well, top stuff. Yes he gave away that penalty but goodness me, that sort of offside happens every tackle, every game, doesn't stop him getting a perfect score from me, he was just that good. 10

The Hunt penalty was complete rubbish and a joke of a penalty.

When he started running, the ball was already played. He was back 10 metres from the point of the play the ball.

Instead of the Broncos being allowed to pin the Panthers down on their line, the ref decides to penalize Hunt despite him being onside to begin with and give the Panthers a relieving penalty.

 

[Mitchell_Broncos]

How?

Tackles, but is good having someone who has a halfback experience at hooker.

 

[Super Freak]

Hunt stars in final Broncos home game

September 16, 2017

Brisbane Broncos hooker Ben Hunt knew as soon as he walked out onto Suncorp Stadium on Friday night that he would not be leaving a loser.

Brisbane's 13-6 win over the Penrith Panthers in the NRL semi-final was Hunt's last match at the venue as a Bronco before he joins the St George Illawarra Dragons at season's end, and he certainly left it all on the paddock.

Hunt was Brisbane's best in the hard-fought win, defending for 80 minutes in the middle to make a career-high 45 tackles.

The 27-year-old was constantly first out of the line, putting in the effort and determination coach Wayne Bennett wanted to see from his men in the do-or-die showdown.

To top things off, Hunt was dangerous in attack, taking over the kicking duties and jumping out of dummy-half whenever his side needed a spark.

His passing game was also on show, throwing a beautiful ball to Corey Oates to set up his winger for the first try of the night.

Simply put, Hunt wanted the 38,623 fans in attendance to remember his last performance at Suncorp Stadium for the right reasons – and they will.

Speaking to media after the match, Hunt took time to reflect on his last game at the venue he first played on during 2008 when he won the National Youth Competition Player of the Year, playing for the Broncos.

"I just wanted to play my best on Friday night. It was my last game at Suncorp and I didn't want to leave here a loser. I wanted to do my best for the team," Hunt said.

"It sunk in during the warm-up that it was going to be my last game at Suncorp. I knew then I had to enjoy it and try and play my best to try and win the game. Once it was all over I was pretty pumped to get the win."

A quality halfback in his own right, Hunt first moved to hooker in Round 22 to cover for the season-ending knee injury to Andrew McCullough.

His transition to No.9 started well, coming off the bench and playing 50 to 60 minutes with the end goal to become an 80-minute rake.

He first achieved that 80-minute milestone in Round 26 and since then he has gone to another level in the middle, prompting some to question if it is his best position.

Bennett puts Hunt's great form down to fitness, saying his versatile utility was ready to keep playing after the final siren had sounded against Penrith.

"He reckons he wasn't tired when he came off. He wanted to go again. He was outstanding," Bennett said.

Stand-in captain Adam Blair starts with Hunt in the middle each week, often taking one of the first carries of the match off his service.

The Broncos prop was full of admiration when asked of Hunt's switch to hooker, praising his teammate's ability to defend above his weight.

"Ben's a competitor and I think we see that every week no matter what position he plays," Blair said.

"It's good seeing someone with his ability and his size come out of the line and try and get in front of those big boys.

"Ben's been really good for us. I enjoy playing beside him. He brings a lot of energy to our middle and he plays some good footy."

Hunt will need to be at his brilliant best again when the Broncos travel to Melbourne to face the Storm in Friday's preliminary final.

Source: NRL.com

 

[Dash]

The Hunt penalty was complete rubbish and a joke of a penalty.

When he started running, the ball was already played. He was back 10 metres from the point of the play the ball.

Instead of the Broncos being allowed to pin the Panthers down on their line, the ref decides to penalize Hunt despite him being onside to begin with and give the Panthers a relieving penalty.

I say this to my partner every time we're watching a game - whenever a team gets pummelled coming out of their own end, the referee helps them out with a ghost penalty on the 4th or 5th. It's like clockwork. If a team hasn't made 10m by the 3rd tackle, you can bet your first born that they'll get a piggyback on the 5th. The penalty against Hampton last week was a classic example.

 

[Browny]

The Hunt penalty was complete rubbish and a joke of a penalty.

When he started running, the ball was already played. He was back 10 metres from the point of the play the ball.

Instead of the Broncos being allowed to pin the Panthers down on their line, the ref decides to penalize Hunt despite him being onside to begin with and give the Panthers a relieving penalty.

Pretty sure the neighbors knew my thoughts about it

 

[winslow_wong]

I say this to my partner every time we're watching a game - whenever a team gets pummelled coming out of their own end, the referee helps them out with a ghost penalty on the 4th or 5th. It's like clockwork. If a team hasn't made 10m by the 3rd tackle, you can bet your first born that they'll get a piggyback on the 5th. The penalty against Hampton last week was a classic example.

A lot of the time when a team is that pumped up to hit in defence in these situations someone will always be offside because they are way too keen. When really if it's the last tackle there's no need to do so and just let the opposition kick it.

 

[Strop]

Excellent player ratings again, Sproj. Particularly the Mead and Arrow ones.

 

[Porthoz]

The Hunt penalty wasn't a piggy back. I was incensed when it was blown, but as soon as they showed the replay, it was clear as day. Too much enthusiasm, way too early off the mark, and the Panthers got out of jail because Hunt opened the gates.

@Sproj , some of those player ratings are spot on, others truly make me wonder if I watched a different game. :p