PRE-GAME NRL Round 1 - Cowboys vs Broncos

[Broncs_Fan]

This is the weakest Broncos side I can remember for a Round 1 game.

 

[Allo]

It is certainly concerning that at Round 1 the depth in our forwards is already exposed.

It’s an oversight, but something like Kahu’s contract was in play and unavoidable. his spot should’ve gone to Mago. Even though he didn’t get used last season (and is now injured), he’s have been very handy right now. Come June 30 we’ll have Riki and Bullemor, although I’m not super-keen on relying on rookies for potential finals games if we have more bad luck with players being out

 

[Allo]

You realise Mago is injured and out for roughly 12 weeks right? Even if he was here he wouldn’t have helped our situation.

He probably wouldn’t have been injured if he were still here though.

 

[broncos4life]

He probably wouldn’t have been injured if he were still here though.

Yes, our magic grass and air would have healed that pec on impact.

 

[Allo]

Yes, our magic grass and air would have healed that pec on impact.

You know what I mean. Everything is a variable. Different training, different game, different circumstances. The pec wasn’t guaranteed to get injured no matter where he was

 

[NSW stables]

You realise Mago is injured and out for roughly 12 weeks right? Even if he was here he wouldn’t have helped our situation.

No i didnt, and fair enough.

 

[Dee]

Watched some highlights of our games last season because it's been awhile since September last year.

Jesus we were diabolical in most games. Both in attack and defence. Our attack looked like basic C grade type shit, just passing it from side to side, no structure or plan, just throw it around and see what happens. It honestly wasn't NRL standard.

The defense was pathetic most games. I really hope there's a change in attitude this season as you can clearly see mentally, we weren't up for it last season.

 

[vertigo]

To add to that, we really only played well in 20-40 min patches.

With the exception of the Roosters game where we played with heart for 80 minutes, never to be seen again sadly.

 

[broncos4life]

You know what I mean. Everything is a variable. Different training, different game, different circumstances. The pec wasn’t guaranteed to get injured no matter where he was

I get that, but there is too many variables to say if we didn't release him we are all good. I mean a different variable and Lodge doesn't get injured and it's a moot point.

 

[Wolfie]

I admittedly don't know enough about Paix to know how he'd go in outside backs in a pinch.. but guessing a quick and strong young hooker / half like him would have reasonable success if he had to handle even fullback at least, which could allow a re-shuffle:

Fullback Injury: Paix plays #1
Winger Injury: Paix plays #1, Bird Goes to Centre, Darius to Wing
Centre Injury: Paix plays #1, Bird Goes to Centre
Half Injury: Paix plays 6/7

Then if no outside backs injured he can spell Turps at 9. Allows another forward on the bench (if we have one), which is especially important in early season games where match fitness is lacking and our pack is so instrumental in our team's success.

... And if we have 2 starting forwards unavailable and can't even make a full bench then it says alot about our squad structure.

Paix isnt a fullback. He isnt even a hooker yet. He has basically played the majority of his footy when i've seen him as a 7. Like a lot of our promising younger blokes ( Coates, Niu, etc ), he just isnt ready for the NRL. The only one of our younger group i'd be happy to see thrown in on a regular basis is Farnworth.

Our best bench for the cowboys game imo is going to be something like Kennedy, Bullemor, Macca and Hopoate.

 

[rnabokov]

Watched some highlights of our games last season because it's been awhile since September last year.

Jesus we were diabolical in most games. Both in attack and defence. Our attack looked like basic C grade type shit, just passing it from side to side, no structure or plan, just throw it around and see what happens. It honestly wasn't NRL standard.

The defense was pathetic most games. I really hope there's a change in attitude this season as you can clearly see mentally, we weren't up for it last season.

I agree with you. It's what happens when the oft repeated obvious happens: as spineless as spaghetti literally and metaphorically. Our spine last year was ineffective as a unit, and individually. Players out of position, chopped and changed, poor individual performances, no halfback, with the core issue being no organization, no organizer, no leader. The decline in attitude sort followed from that.

This season I am optimistic. A half decent spine built around a good halfback with the reasonable expectation that Turps, Milf and Bird will perform. I am sure Croft will organise and lead in the middle. I am hoping Milf steps up combining at last with a good foil in the 7. I think the attitude will reappear given the above.

Throw in top class forwards and I see a good result v Cows, and also for the rest of the season.

Yes, lots of assumptions, especially that Seibold will come through after having a full preseason, as well as working with a new roster.

I am looking forward to this game and I do see a win, despite the odd bench.

 

[pagey]

Paix isnt a fullback. He isnt even a hooker yet. He has basically played the majority of his footy when i've seen him as a 7. Like a lot of our promising younger blokes ( Coates, Niu, etc ), he just isnt ready for the NRL. The only one of our younger group i'd be happy to see thrown in on a regular basis is Farnworth.

Our best bench for the cowboys game imo is going to be something like Kennedy, Bullemor, Macca and Hopoate.

I think isaako is a given , it looks like seibold wants cover for bird. I also believe Coates will get a chance sooner rather than later, mainly because of the new rule.

 

[GCBRONCO]

The defense was pathetic most games. I really hope there's a change in attitude this season as you can clearly see mentally, we weren't up for it last season.

Yeah I know what you mean, there was one game in particular I remember(can't remember exactly which one). The opposition weren't having to even work for it because our defence was in shambles, players were bunched up in goal after one particular try. O'Sullivan steps in and lays into the boys to step up. You know it's bad when one of your younger, inexperienced players is expected to step up doing what the more experience players(particularly your captain) should be.

 

[NSW stables]

Watched some highlights of our games last season because it's been awhile since September last year.

Jesus we were diabolical in most games. Both in attack and defence. Our attack looked like basic C grade type shit, just passing it from side to side, no structure or plan, just throw it around and see what happens. It honestly wasn't NRL standard.

The defense was pathetic most games. I really hope there's a change in attitude this season as you can clearly see mentally, we weren't up for it last season.

Very true. I rewatched our draw with the warriors. Our tries were individual efforts from standing starts from hass and fifita and a lucky mishandled kick that boyd dived on. We had no idea what we were doing for the rest of the game.

In defence, we just waited on our line. One of their wingers ran for 250-300m and RTS about 200m. Our right side was really poor with numerous line breaks and tries down that side.

We were very lucky that they only had kodi for field goals who stuffed up 3 opportunities.

 

[Fitzy]

I'm not a fan of Morgan or Granville, both over rated, but their spine is still way ahead of ours AT THIS STAGE. I emphasise that because on potential ours is better

If you really think that you underrate our spine... Bird has played well at fullback, Turpin plays consistently well, Croft was so good in the trials, and milford wasn't bad he just didn't see much ball... Our spine is so much better... Another factor is that in the trial game the only two threatening players were rueben cotter and Clifford, and by the looks they will both miss out

 

[rnabokov]

Very true. I rewatched our draw with the warriors. Our tries were individual efforts from standing starts from hass and fifita and a lucky mishandled kick that boyd dived on. We had no idea what we were doing for the rest of the game.

In defence, we just waited on our line. One of their wingers ran for 250-300m and RTS about 200m. Our right side was really poor with numerous line breaks and tries down that side.

We were very lucky that they only had kodi for field goals who stuffed up 3 opportunities.

That defensive structure of waiting for the attack rather than moving forward was something Kearney developed back in '15. We used it so effectively that year, and in 2017 as well. It requires discipline and great tackling technique.

Thing is, that brickwall failed us dismally last year because we were so disorganised. Our defence was like a series of turnstiles. We didn't play for or with each other. Technique was suspect and structures were shambolic, especially on the edges and out wide.

I put that on Seibold. He needs to redeem himself this year. For mine it is his biggest challenge. He ought to watch these 2 inspiring videos from Matt Elliott's The Breakdown.

https://www.nrl.com/news/2015/06/24/the-breakdown-with-matt-elliott-broncos-defence/

The Breakdown with Matt Elliott: Best Defence of Round 3

Matt analyses the Broncos defense against the Storm

www.nrl.com

Interesting how Darius excelled in those days. Time for redemption Darius.

If we can get back to that defence, we are hands down top 4 material.

 

[IceWorks]

I am carrying no burden of expectation for the Broncs this year (It feels so light and breezy) so I will be happy if they can stay in the 8 and win a game or two against the storm and roosters. Expecting a 10th place approximately.

I think the best fit for all of the results and lack of structure over the past year could be explained most simply by a team carrying at least a few players with an indifferent attitude towards what it takes to win combined with a board + recruiting and coaching combo that is comfortably average.

The results are going to be interesting to watch and I hope that a ranking in top 4 or better and staying there will prove my assesment wrong, heres to blind optimism :)

 

[Gaz]

Don’t think we have any other choice for the bench. We literally have no other forwards to select without an exemption. The bench gets slightly less shit if say Isaako comes on and Oates moves to second row, then Pangai joins middle rotation.

If your right, then a horrible position to be in before your first game of the season. Have had a whole preseason to get stuff like this right injuries and all.