2018 NRL Side

[Kyall]

It's up to Oates to put his case forward to be a forward. Otherwise it's back to the backs.

I think Oates will put 100% into trying to get the spot, but I’m worried that the extra work load especially with his sideways movement will cost his body too much and he will get hurt. Oates got bad knees from playing on the wing so.

 

[1910]

I'd like to think that if Paix or Boyd kill it in the lower grades this year that one of them would get a crack.

Wow, from Colts to NRL. The last Bronco to do that was Lockyer. He played eight Colts games under Calder in 1995 then got the call up, played his first reserves game under Henjak and NRL game same day.


Walker was the Reserves half and they both got a run. Lockyer never went back to Calder but played two more Reserve grade games.


You have to be realistic; Paix and Boyd are both coming off MM seasons and will play Colts this year. Paix doesn’t have a pathway to even an ISC club and would have to move to play ISC and Boyd will have to go past Scarlett.


Even if their form in Colts was mind blowing to transfer that to NRL would be outrageous. They are not even in the NRL squad and don’t train with the NRL team.

You need to watch some Colts games this year and make up your own mind.

 

[Gaz]

The Stat to Fix: Broncos' hunt for missing grunt

Author

Dan Walsh

Timestamp

Wed 14 Feb 2018, 07:28 AM

For much of their existence in the top flight, Brisbane have boasted some of the best metre-eaters in the game, with Shane Webcke and Petero Civoniceva among the truly elite props of the past twenty years.

But in 2017 the Broncos playing style told a deceptive story when it came to their front-rowers, with regular bookends Adam Blair and Korbin Sims averaging the least amount of combined running metres for a team's starting props.

Blair's average of 85 metres a game belied his ability to offload the ball, while Sims (77m per game) had his season interrupted by a broken arm.

In any case, Wayne Bennett has some new faces up front with Matt Lodge and Sam Tagataese coming into his front-row rotation for Blair (Warriors) and Herman Ese'ese (Newcastle).

But with Josh McGuire's high work rate at lock and Corey Oates eyeing a move into the back-row, Bennett says his front-rowers won't be pushed to churn out big running metres at the expense of creating second phase play.

"No we won't be looking to change that style, it's served us pretty well," Bennett told NRL.com.

"Running hard, passing at the line, offloading, it's worked well with our front-rowers and offers a point of difference up front."

 

[upthebroncs]

The Stat to Fix: Broncos' hunt for missing grunt

Author

Dan Walsh

Timestamp

Wed 14 Feb 2018, 07:28 AM

For much of their existence in the top flight, Brisbane have boasted some of the best metre-eaters in the game, with Shane Webcke and Petero Civoniceva among the truly elite props of the past twenty years.

But in 2017 the Broncos playing style told a deceptive story when it came to their front-rowers, with regular bookends Adam Blair and Korbin Sims averaging the least amount of combined running metres for a team's starting props.

Blair's average of 85 metres a game belied his ability to offload the ball, while Sims (77m per game) had his season interrupted by a broken arm.

In any case, Wayne Bennett has some new faces up front with Matt Lodge and Sam Tagataese coming into his front-row rotation for Blair (Warriors) and Herman Ese'ese (Newcastle).

But with Josh McGuire's high work rate at lock and Corey Oates eyeing a move into the back-row, Bennett says his front-rowers won't be pushed to churn out big running metres at the expense of creating second phase play.

"No we won't be looking to change that style, it's served us pretty well," Bennett told NRL.com.

"Running hard, passing at the line, offloading, it's worked well with our front-rowers and offers a point of difference up front."

Ahhh, this frustrates me and excites me at the same time..

I really would just love some big front rowers that don't have to worry about anything other than running it hard and denting the defensive line.

On the other hand, if they're fluffing around with ball playing forwards.. I'm glad that it's not Blair starting. Exciting to see what Lodge can do with the ball in hand in terms of his vision, I hear he's quite smart with that stuff.

 

[Painin the Haas]

Wow, from Colts to NRL. The last Bronco to do that was Lockyer. He played eight Colts games under Calder in 1995 then got the call up, played his first reserves game under Henjak and NRL game same day.


Walker was the Reserves half and they both got a run. Lockyer never went back to Calder but played two more Reserve grade games.


You have to be realistic; Paix and Boyd are both coming off MM seasons and will play Colts this year. Paix doesn’t have a pathway to even an ISC club and would have to move to play ISC and Boyd will have to go past Scarlett.


Even if their form in Colts was mind blowing to transfer that to NRL would be outrageous. They are not even in the NRL squad and don’t train with the NRL team.

You need to watch some Colts games this year and make up your own mind.

What is next for them? If they play colts this year and they nail it what’s the next step? I assume ISC?

Paix would have to move eventually if he is to continue with the broncos anyway

With Boyd do you mean get past Scarlett in the broncos pecking order or in the halves at the magpies? One wouldn’t think Hamilton is a sure thing for a spot

Providing all goes to plan can they an option in 2019 or more 2020?

 

[GCBRONCO]

Ahhh, this frustrates me and excites me at the same time..

I really would just love some big front rowers that don't have to worry about anything other than running it hard and denting the defensive line.

On the other hand, if they're fluffing around with ball playing forwards.. I'm glad that it's not Blair starting. Exciting to see what Lodge can do with the ball in hand in terms of his vision, I hear he's quite smart with that stuff.

Travel back in time to the Henjak days, then come back and complain about our current day forwards. The future is bright on the forwards front. It's the spine we should be concerned about.

 

[1910]

What is next for them? If they play colts this year and they nail it what’s the next step? I assume ISC?

Paix would have to move eventually if he is to continue with the broncos anyway

With Boyd do you mean get past Scarlett in the broncos pecking order or in the halves at the magpies? One wouldn’t think Hamilton is a sure thing for a spot

Providing all goes to plan can they an option in 2019 or more 2020?

Next is having a good year in Colts and making the Queensland Under 18 team. Then they'd progress next year. Paix is going to have to move unless Toowoomba get a team in the ISC. He's just won a state final and MM player of the year so he's not going to be rushed.

Boyd is at Souths, he got their MM player of the year, so potentially he and Fifita could come through Souths' grades and play ISC there together. Scarlett is going to be at Souths again and be there number one half. So Boyd to play NRL would need to go past him. Which seems pretty unlikely your first year.

All three could be in the Queensland Under 18's this year, Fifita missed the side last year with his ankle.

 

[Painin the Haas]

Next is having a good year in Colts and making the Queensland Under 18 team. Then they'd progress next year. Paix is going to have to move unless Toowoomba get a team in the ISC. He's just won a state final and MM player of the year so he's not going to be rushed.

Boyd is at Souths, he got their MM player of the year, so potentially he and Fifita could come through Souths' grades and play ISC there together. Scarlett is going to be at Souths again and be there number one half. So Boyd to play NRL would need to go past him. Which seems pretty unlikely your first year.

All three could be in the Queensland Under 18's this year, Fifita missed the side last year with his ankle.

Thank you for the breakdown i have been curious how it will work exactly now that the Holden cup is gone. So ISC is more the goal for 2019 If they come off a good season.

With Fifita playing in the trials one would assume he’s likely to be seen in ISC this year?

 

[BroncsFan]

Thank you for the breakdown i have been curious how it will work exactly now that the Holden cup is gone. So ISC is more the goal for 2019 If they come off a good season.

With Fifita playing in the trials one would assume he’s likely to be seen in ISC this year?

My understanding is that without holden cup it basically reverts back to the old way of players coming up through their local comp or the NRL's affiliate reserve team. Therefore there would be more emphasis on the ISC comps to bring the juniors through

In the case of the broncos because we have numerous reserve grade sides I'd say we would attain juniors under scholarships and play them through their local teams until a transition into the ISC through an affiliated team.

I'm sure 1910 will know more about the process though of which I'd be interested to know.

Overall it seems a better approach than the holden cup model.

 

[Painin the Haas]

My understanding is that without holden cup it basically reverts back to the old way of players coming up through their local comp or the NRL's affiliate reserve team. Therefore there would be more emphasis on the ISC comps to bring the juniors through

I'm sure 1910 will know more about the process though

Which makes sense just harder to keep an eye on the young ones the broncos have on the books. Without the Holden cup we will have to rely on media and inside knowledge to know who to look out for in particular

 

[1910]

Thank you for the breakdown i have been curious how it will work exactly now that the Holden cup is gone. So ISC is more the goal for 2019 If they come off a good season.

With Fifita playing in the trials one would assume he’s likely to be seen in ISC this year?

All the 20's teams are linked to a ISC team, the Melbourne side and Mustangs are the only ones that don't. So you can play MM for Souths, Under 20's, and ISC. A clear pathway without having to leave home. Which is better mentally and physically for young players.

I would think ISC will be the next goal and unless something out of the world happens it would be next year.

 

[roo-ted]

Dose broncos hq do a footy tip each year? Obviously not for cash but just for shits and gigs?

 

[Porthoz]

Dose broncos hq do a footy tip each year? Obviously not for cash but just for shits and gigs?

@Nashy ... dose we do that?

 

[Nashy]

Dose broncos hq do a footy tip each year? Obviously not for cash but just for shits and gigs?

Yes. This year it will be all handled in house. I'm going through the absolutely tedious task of adding all the games at the moment.

 

[roo-ted]

Yes. This year it will be all handled in house. I'm going through the absolutely tedious task of adding all the games at the moment.

Awesome. Thanks mate looking forward to it!

 

[isaiah]

Wow, from Colts to NRL. The last Bronco to do that was Lockyer. He played eight Colts games under Calder in 1995 then got the call up, played his first reserves game under Henjak and NRL game same day.


Walker was the Reserves half and they both got a run. Lockyer never went back to Calder but played two more Reserve grade games.


You have to be realistic; Paix and Boyd are both coming off MM seasons and will play Colts this year. Paix doesn’t have a pathway to even an ISC club and would have to move to play ISC and Boyd will have to go past Scarlett.


Even if their form in Colts was mind blowing to transfer that to NRL would be outrageous. They are not even in the NRL squad and don’t train with the NRL team.

You need to watch some Colts games this year and make up your own mind.

walker was the qld u19 five eight the previous year with Lockyer in the QLD 'b' team

 

[upthebroncs]

Travel back in time to the Henjak days, then come back and complain about our current day forwards. The future is bright on the forwards front. It's the spine we should be concerned about.

Not complaining about our current forwards, they're all guns. Was critiquing their style of play due to their ability to push through the line and create go forward and opportunities. We shouldn't try to play so pretty imo

The spine is slightly worrying with Boyd not looking like such a solid option there due to injury concerns. Roberts has always wanted to play fullback as has Bird. Milford could possibly make the switch back there if needed.

I don't think Nikorima is the best possible 7 for us but may be a great option at 6 - which would make more sense for milford to move to 1.

If Milford was successful in his move we would really just need to find a decent 7.

1. Anthony Milford
2. Jordan Kahu
3. Darius Boyd
4. Jack Bird
5. James Roberts
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. ?

9. Andrew McCullough

 

[Painin the Haas]

No. Just no