POST GAME Round 9 - Broncos vs Bulldogs

[Reyter]

He tried to secure the ball.. The front on angle showed that. He made a second effort after losing it and wasn't able to secure it.

I don't know about that particular mistake and subsequent try. Maybe he could have done more and maybe not but he has been poor. His running game is absolutely no threat at all. On top of that it looks to me he is scared of making mistakes and thus, takes half an hour to collect and return bouncing balls. Some of the other things are not his fault. I don't think he ever was or ever wanted to be a kicker but given WB has a backrower with the skill set of a typical backrower playing halfback, Boyd is taking it upon himself and more often than not, screwing it up.

I just think the game has progressed, Boyd hasn't been able to adjust and thus, it has passed him by. Maybe it would be an idea to play him at halfback and Bord at fullback. That way Boyd wouldn't have to worry about being a halfback and a fullback as it seems he does now.

 

[Porthoz]

People keep blaming the shoes for slipping over but the turf is literally coming out of the ground, that is what is making them slip over. Better studs wouldn’t have changed anything.

Even Boyd admitted as much at the presser. Of course it makes a hell of a difference!

 

[holdzy]

Very encouraging to see Milf running at the line last night - it didn't come off, credit to the Bulldogs D which was quite good. Keep it up Milf. It can only get better.

 

[Super Freak]

I can understand Pay’s frustration in regards to the penalty at the end.

The contact was very minimal and there was nothing in it. Boyd was never denied a chance to go for the ball. He took a dive instead and played it well.

But in saying that, they have been consistent with that all year. You only need to brush the shoulder with the hand, like what Lewis did with Slater, and you will get 10 in the bin and cop a penalty.

 

[winslow_wong]

Has anyone ever floated the idea of Roberts at 5/8 ? Steady now, before you jump down my throat about him needing space etc he appears to have a reasonable pass and I'm certain last nights winning kick isn't the first time I've seen his kicking game. Jimmy does seem to have a 'footie brain' and defensively I think he could cope.

I'm just putting it up for discussion, I'm not saying we should do it OR that it's a great idea.

If you hate the idea or have a hundred reasons why no could you list them.

With speed being his biggest asset, Roberts is best being put into space by someone else. Which is why fullback would be interesting for the kick returns and support play. Could you imagine tpj popping an offload to Roberts supporting at speed ? Yum

 

[Porthoz]

It's times like this I'm very glad that Wayne doesn't listen to the fans.

Boyd is old and slow and has no work effort or urgency, so he'd be far better off playing in a position that is extremely technical defensively, requires split-second decision-making, ability to move laterally and turn either way instantly, and needs to cover for any weaknesses in the half who is next to them (centre). Genius.

Or move one of, if not, our shortest player to fullback, who hasn't played there since the 20's, has been completely exposed under the high ball the one time he was under them, and allegedly doesn't have any organisational ability.

Any criticism of Boyd coupled with Bennett being his father, and playing him at fullback for any reason other than being the best person for the job, just shows how compromised people's judgements are, and how quick they are to believe such inane bullshit.

I'll never give up on the Broncos but I can't say the same for the fanbase sometimes.

You're absolutely right!
Why try something that may very well work, when you can persist with something that clearly doesn't? Silly fanbase... :superhappythumbsup:

 

[Sproj]

Here we go:

1. Boyd - He is showing signs of improvement but just still isn't where he should be or needs to be. I don't really blame him for the slips last night, it happens but he just needs to work on his effort perception. That kick chase at the end was great but he should be there in support and chasing all game, that is what every other fullback does these days - 5
2. Oates - Should have got three tries if not for the bounce of the ball really, he has gone to his 2015 level in the last month and it is exciting. He should never have been dropped from origin, he should be back there this year. What a weapon - 8
3. Roberts - Should be fullback, he has all the tools, he really does. I'm not sure where this idea that he has a poor pass comes from, he can through a beautiful looking ball and that set up of Joffa was fantastic. With his speed and elusiveness, he could be devastating at the back. Trying his best - 7
4. Opacic - Gets through a mountain of defensive work and love the fact he looks for more. He did not have a great game by any means and dropped off an important tackle but he is doing the work of two men out there. His lack of speed is concerning but give him time - 5
5. Isaako - If Maranta wasn't as bad as he was, the kicking Maranta comparisons might start to be looking more likely. I am not as huge a fan of this guy as others but goodness me, he can goalkick. That kick for touch was horrid though. He has not yet done anything of note outside his kicking, doesn't seem to break tackles, doesn't seem to burn the opposition for speed, doesn't pull down amazing grabs and has the odd drop in him, really not convinced yet - 5
6. Milford - Is busting his gut week in, week out. I like where he is heading but he needs help that neither KNik nor Bird can seemingly provide, Wayne needs to give him help in the halves. Milf is becoming smarter and that was highlighted in one of his long kicks down field, he saw the winger and fullback were far apart and so drilled it low and long, very smart play. If not for TPJ, he would have been best on field - 9
7. Bird - Absolute shocker...again. Not sure what he offers to be honest. Yes, you can make all the excuses you like but he is offering nothing that a 100k rookie couldn't provide. I really want him to prove me wrong but I have never liked his signing and it is looking worse every week, should be in reserve grade - 3
8. Lodge - He is a very good player, better than I thought he would be. He is pretty consistent for a very inexperienced player. He has been given a shot and some amazing support by the club and he is doing his best to repay that in spades. A big game from the much maligned character once again - 7
9. McCullough - He is looking so rusty in attack, like he has regressed but in his defense, the injuries he has been picking up are doing him no favours whatsoever in that regard. He kicked straight to the fullback on the fourth tackle of the very first set and put the Broncs on the backfoot for the next 15 minutes. He had a player unmarked screaming in under the posts...and he dummied and ran, still doesn't know how to pick the right moments and choices. Tough bloke but still so frustrating - 5
10. Thaiday - Not really sure what he offers these days, just has no presence, gets run around, drops to the ground so easily, really living of past reputation only these days - 4
11. Glenn - Had a great game, while I hope he wasn't injured, if he was hooked late in the game, it just makes absolutely no sense, so I believe he must have been injured. He's having a great season - 7
12. Su'A - This kid is a good 'un isn't he! He hits hard, runs hard, gets through a mountain of work and it is not hard to see why he is so highly rated by the powers that be. Great game by the kid - 8
13. Pangai Jr - What a machine he is becoming, absolutely best on ground, he is going to be an all-time great the way he is going, great to see. He runs hard, tackles harder and is always there. On that final play where Boyd received that penalty, TPJ was the one other guy there, he has a motor now and he is amazing - 10

14. Haas - He came, he saw and he probably can't remember, not on long at all and got injured for his trouble, hard to rate - 2
15. Ofahenguae - Starting to be talked up here as a smokey for origin, yep he should be in those discussions, great stuff. He should be given a chance to start, no idea why Thaiday is even in the 17, let alone starting. Give Joe O his chance - 7
16. Nikorima - He came on and played halfback, proving me wrong once again, just doesn't have the tools it seems which is sad to say. He should do what he did last week and come on as bench hooker, he was good at that but not so good last night, that said better than Bird in the halves and the reason the Broncs need to bring in another halfback - 5
17. Sims - He was great again, two in a row? What is going on? I am gobsmacked, did not think he had two good games in a row in him but he has proven me wrong and happily so. Please keep this standard up week in and week out - 8

 

[Wild Horse]

Had a little fumble in the play the ball before his legs turned to jelly.

Funny too cause Bennett said in the presser that it was just an ankle and no concision. I don't know but he looked pretty concussed to me.

 

[Splinter]

What exactly did Darius do tonight that made you think to yourself "You know what, I'm going to defend Darius to the death after that performance"? He was shit. He made 1 good play, the cut-out pass to Oates. Apart from that he was putrid, I don't care about the surface of Suncorp Stadium, he had so many mistakes tonight, whether it be handling errors, shit passes leading to errors, kicking it dead, taking 5 seconds to pick up a regulation bomb that should've been caught on the full, mishandling a ball in the in-goal that should've been cleanly taken and lead to a line drop-out. I'm sure there was plenty of other stuff I've already repressed. If that was a Darius performance worth defending, then he truly is the shittest player in the NRL right now.

I would also add that if he did not chase the last kick the match goes to extra time and we possibly lose the game.

 

[KnToad]

Even Boyd admitted as much at the presser. Of course it makes a hell of a difference!

Didn’t see any bulldogs players falling over.....?

 

[Porthoz]

@Sproj , just curious as to how Sims gets a higher score than Ofa?

 

[Porthoz]

@Super Freak beat them to it, but I wonder if Dean Pay has had a look at this.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...l/news-story/d34dc5c588808ec7ea4dab4c0bd7427d

Btw, has the NRL replied to Pay's accusations and/or fined him for his outburst, or downright... stupidity?

 

[Sproj]

@Sproj , just curious as to how Sims gets a higher score than Ofa?

Probably because I was so shocked Sims played well two weeks in a row. Haha

 

[Kyall]

How slow was Opacic when he made that break from the 20mtr tap, he looked as if he had a tyre around his hip.

 

[Wolfie]

How slow was Opacic when he made that break from the 20mtr tap, he looked as if he had a tyre around his hip.

He's never been super fast, but he isnt slow either, he just has fairly ordinary acceleration which really doesn't help him, but he is a little slower than he should be now, but like I said earlier, that will come out probably at the end of the year.

 

[Unbreakable]

He's never been super fast, but he isnt slow either, he just has fairly ordinary acceleration which really doesn't help him, but he is a little slower than he should be now, but like I said earlier, that will come out probably at the end of the year.

You keep alluding to this like it's some top secret information, if he's playing injured I'm sure you can just say that and we'll take your word for it. :P

 

[ethos]

tbh don't think there's been a better Bronco than Ofahengaue over the opening nine rounds.

We're all over the place generally at the moment.

But taking a silver lining approach.. hopefully the club can just keep scrapping wins through the Origin period. McCullough will recover fully from his injury, Bird will get fitter with time, Boyd will regain mojo with time.. And then we'll get a fresh McGuire and Gillett back in the pack. Mount a late season run..

 

[I bleed Maroon]

1. Boyd - Was good for about 20 minutes, ran hard and was looking for opportunities to get it out to Oates in space, but then undid all the goodwill after he promptly ran out of gas and started derping it up. Slipped over to give away a try and to make it worse, sooked it up instead of trying to secure the ball. Classic Darius. 5
2. Oates - Has been quite comfortably our best player all year. If we lose him to another club, I will deadset see red. Had a couple of bombed chances at a try but the bounce wasn't with him all night, but runs hard and looks dangerous every time he gets even a sniff of space. Has the potential to be an all time great of the club. 8
3. Roberts - Is trying his guts out which you absolutely can't fault him for, but the swarming defence is really frustrating him at the moment and you can see it in his body language. Maybe a trial at Fullback would be interesting but we all know the prodigal son isn't getting moved anytime soon. 6
4. Opacic - Does more than his share of defensive work, but that's all he's really good for. He's like a Whitchurch but with actual hands that he knows how to use. Would almost certainly get dropped if and when Kahu returns. Arguably slower than Reed which is astounding. 5
5. Isaako - Probably gets more credit than he really deserves from me just because I'm so happy to finally have a quality goalkicker, but in terms of his running play he doesn't seem that threatening. Looking forward to when Roberts finally gets into space to see how well he supports him. 6
6. Milford - Another you can't fault for effort. Playing his ass off trying to create something as the only true half we have on the field. His kicking is coming along nicely and his running game is starting to emerge again, so maybe a bit of man managing going on from Wayne there. "Don't run the ball until you can kick well.". 9
7. Bird - Needs some time in reserve grade. Comfortably the worst player in the 17 going on current form. Worse than Thaiday at this point which is pretty shocking. Seriously needs to put the food down and start getting serious. He wasn't what we needed to begin with so he came into the side with not much goodwill from the fans to start with, and at least from my point of view, he's quickly running out of time to prove he deserves to be here, let alone on so much money. Verrry disappointing signing so far. 2
8. Lodge - Getting through a lot of work without being outstanding. He has a role and sticks to it, which is to be a motor in the front row. Has copped a well documented shellacking over the course of the year but has shown great mental resolve to not let it get to him. I'd happily resign him on a decent upgrade but if clubs come knocking offering millions, well....I hope he repays the clubs loyalty by taking unders. 7
9. McC - Is pretty much a medical marvel when it comes to his recovery times, so full credit to him for that. He clearly hates being sidelined. His brain dead dummy runs however, are really frustrating. They aren't falling for it Macca, so please stop wasting a tackle to gain 5 metres at most. You're a defensive hooker who knows how to find a 40/20 every now and then, stick to what you're good at. 6
10. Thaiday - Showed a little more resolve to perform even half decently against the Dogs but considering the lows he has reached in the twilight of his career, that really isn't saying much. He's a borderline bench player at most at this point and with the quality youngsters that are coming through now, even that is teetering on the edge, and it further illustrates the mystery of why he didn't retire with his dignity intact. 4
11. Glenn - Very solid. The step off the pass from Milford to score was really nice. I just wish he would churn out stuff like that consistently. Hopefully it's a sign he's really starting to mature as a 2nd rower cause we could really use some leaders to set a standard for the young guys right about now. 7
12. Su'a - Is starting to shake the greenhorn off and show what he is capable of. I was a little worried about his prospects there for awhile but he's found another gear. Between him, TPJ and Haas we've finally got some big men to be optimistic about. 8
13. TPJ - What a gun. Has basically taken his game up another peg or two in 2018. The comparisons to Taumalolo really aren't misplaced. Hits hard, runs hard, seems to have a mountain of energy for a big man and has that offload that Bennett is currently smothering for....well reasons. The only player that even comes close to Oates on form for us so far this year. If he goes down injured at any point (touch wood), it'll be a devastating blow. 10

14. Haas - His evening was over before it began, so really not much to assess really. Still really confident he will turn out to be a great prospect just like TPJ before him. *unrated*
15. Joe O - I think the talk of Origin is jumping the gun a tad, but he is certainly offering a lot more than the likes of Thaiday these days. Should be starting over him in the 10. He has a history of dropping off the pace though so, cautiously optimistic he's turned a corner. 7
16. Nikorima - He offered a smidgen more at half than Bird did but, still isn't showing much more than being a strike utility. His kicks were all vertical bombs that were easily defused and didn't show much in terms of his deadly running game on the line. 4
17. Sims - Got a bit of a private talking to from Bennett a couple of weeks ago I reckon, because he seems to have really pulled his finger out. Acts much like Lodge in terms of being a motor in the forwards when he and TPJ come off. Still, has shown a tendency to drop off like Joe O in the past so again, cautious optimism. 6