POST GAME Round 18 - Titans vs Broncos

[BroncsFan]

We got alot of injuries sure but player wise i still think we have talent, the coaching is the problem, I look at what Gold coast has and honestly we have them beat in most areas we just don't have any team cohesion.

Maybe, but when you think about the team that started the year compared to where we are now the entire starting spine is no longer playing (Bird/Isaako/Niu, Milf, Croft & Turps)... say what you will about Croft, but he was playing better than Milf until probably the dogs game or tigers game and then fell off a cliff all of a sudden... and up until that point Milf was doing absolutely nothing with that left edge. Dearden was eventually brought in when Milf was running around on one leg and then gone soon after.

Our middle has been ravaged with only Haas and Carrigan being there the whole year (with some NSWRL suspensions thrown in for good measure). Lodge, TPJ and Flegler are all ahead of Kennedy, Offa and Teo.

Our second row has been non-existent all year with Fifita missing for 8 weeks or so and now just missing in games in general. Glenn has played what 2-3 games all year??

The only consistent thing about this year is that we won't have the same 17 for back to back games... and now the confidence is so low and we are lacking any sort of attacking players that we can't take advantage of any good ball that we might get.

Dearden can't carry this team with SOS outside him and Luke/Paix at dummy half. Darius is playing reasonably well at the moment, but Dearden looks like a guy that needs a senior half to take some pressure off him or some time in qcup to get used to his game against men (which is what the plan was this year). He's not getting enough help from the rest of the spine despite Darius playing well... although he is mostly just finishing off movements rather than being the initial creator, which again leaves it on Dearden and co.

It'd be like D Brown coming into grade last year but having Field outside him straight away instead of Moses... Brown has been allowed to learn his game whilst Moses controls the team and he just chimes in when needed. He's comfortable with his game now and when Moses was out he was able to chuck the halfback duties in with what he was already doing.

Dearden hasn't had any viable halves with him yet and opposition teams already know it is going to him. He's probably still 12 months away from being a genuine first grader IF Milf steps up next year and takes some of that pressure.

 

[Huge]

We have the Broncos just where we want them to be. Sure they lost 10 in row sitting close to the bottom of the ladder, leaderless, rudderless and spineless. If Fifita and Paix didn't drop the ball on the goal line it could easily be an 18-all draw line. They did this without a big chunk of salary cap munching players: Bird, MILF, TPJ, Lodge. In only 2 games of throwing out Seibold's game plan the Broncos have managed to trim their losing margin by a lot. Now imagine having a whole pre-season and a whole season without Seibold's game plan, a new coach, new CEO, new coaching staff, having Boyd and Paul White out of the picture, removing some dead weight in the roster and adding new players this year and a year beyond that..... we've hit rock bottom and the only way is up next season. So we have the Broncos just where we want them to be.

Most of this is on the money and then the obligatory stupid statement gets thrown in. As if DB is a problem in the team. I'm sure next season a new fullback will improve the team. I wonder who this first grade fullback will be? The guys in the team don't see him as a problem yet the internet experts do.

I wonder who's right? Did you see how they felt when DB scored? If his team mates felt he was letting them down do you think they'd show such clear delight?

 

[Sproj]

I don't think anyone will legitimately bag Boyd tonight, he was pretty good.

 

[winslow_wong]

Oates and riki on the bench next season makes for a pretty decent forward rotation but once again we are backrow heavy depending on what teo is doing too. Still short a prop in my opinion.

 

[Huge]

I don't think anyone will legitimately bag Boyd tonight, he was pretty good.

It would be a rare thing then. In truth he's had quite a few good games this year but was still singled out. Anyway, I hope his team mates give him the send off he'd like, I'd love a win too

 

[calsy]

We have the Broncos just where we want them to be. Sure they lost 10 in row sitting close to the bottom of the ladder, leaderless, rudderless and spineless. If Fifita and Paix didn't drop the ball on the goal line it could easily be an 18-all draw line. They did this without a big chunk of salary cap munching players: Bird, MILF, TPJ, Lodge. In only 2 games of throwing out Seibold's game plan the Broncos have managed to trim their losing margin by a lot. Now imagine having a whole pre-season and a whole season without Seibold's game plan, a new coach, new CEO, new coaching staff, having Boyd and Paul White out of the picture, removing some dead weight in the roster and adding new players this year and a year beyond that..... we've hit rock bottom and the only way is up next season. So we have the Broncos just where we want them to be.

If we didn't drop the ball we could have scored more then 6 against a team sitting 13th on the ladder. When Bird, MILF, TPJ, Lodge return we will win because they are paid alot and that means they're good. We have so much 'talent' that just needs to be unlocked by a super coach, although they're aren't many available at the moment. No ones doubting we have guys who can play footy on our team, it's just that 15 other teams have good players aswell, hmmmm. But when you're at rock bottom, the only way is up.. as the saying goes. How far up, well the further you fall the higher you bounce back up, it's just science... top 4 in 2021.

 

[Huge]

Oates and riki on the bench next season makes for a pretty decent forward rotation but once again we are backrow heavy depending on what teo is doing too. Still short a prop in my opinion.

I don't think we'd be considered short if Haas was not required to play 80 every fucking week. I'm pretty sure the leading teams don't play a prop that way but I'm not certain about that. I think we are creating a problem by playing Haas so long. Imagine Haas gets injured next year, we'd have to find two props in a sense to cover his job. Haas can play 80 mins but not 80 mins of tough TPJ style prop play.

I'd rather drop him down to 45-55 mins worth but get him to be much more energetic in his runs and tougher in his defence. He just seems to be playing like a bench prop in his last season, plodding along, making his hitups and tackles, filling out his timesheet sort of thing, a going through the motions game. He may be subtly protesting his comparatively low wage and doing it unconsciously. I mean, why play like a superstar if you're getting paid like solid plodder?

 

[Bongo]

I don't think anyone will legitimately bag Boyd tonight, he was pretty good.

The problem is there is too much of a gap between his best and worst games. He has been really good at times

 

[Bongo]

I don't think we'd be considered short if Haas was not required to play 80 every fucking week. I'm pretty sure the leading teams don't play a prop that way but I'm not certain about that. I think we are creating a problem by playing Haas so long. Imagine Haas gets injured next year, we'd have to find two props in a sense to cover his job. Haas can play 80 mins but not 80 mins of tough TPJ style prop play.

I'd rather drop him down to 45-55 mins worth but get him to be much more energetic in his runs and tougher in his defence. He just seems to be playing like a bench prop in his last season, plodding along, making his hitups and tackles, filling out his timesheet sort of thing, a going through the motions game. He may be subtly protesting his comparatively low wage and doing it unconsciously. I mean, why play like a superstar if you're getting paid like solid plodder?

I agree 60 min max. We have easily has the worst injuries of any club this year and it's coincided with the roster issues. Haas has been admirable but misused.

 

[rnabokov]

Most of this is on the money and then the obligatory stupid statement gets thrown in. As if DB is a problem in the team. I'm sure next season a new fullback will improve the team. I wonder who this first grade fullback will be? The guys in the team don't see him as a problem yet the internet experts do.

I wonder who's right? Did you see how they felt when DB scored? If his team mates felt he was letting them down do you think they'd show such clear delight?

How can you say in the same breath : "As if DB is a problem in the team." and then retain credibility by saying "I'm sure next season a new fullback will improve the team."? Oh, I'm sorry, you are using irony again. My mistake. The other, other irony here is that you are absolutely right.

 

[rnabokov]

I don't think anyone will legitimately bag Boyd tonight, he was pretty good.

Yes he was good tonight, no doubt about that, but compared to what, the many times he wasn't, the other players in the team who weren't, or, FBs like Tedesco, Edwards, Gutherson or even Dufty who are?

Anyway, next week is his swan song. I hope he has a blinder and goes out a winner, and we can at last start looking to our future.

 

[TariqT]

COVID

 

[Tomato Sorcerer]

I hate to say it because I despise the guy but you are definitely missing TPJ. Your pack just looks soft without the aggression he brings to the middle in both attack and defence. It's mind-blowing because one thing that always struck me with the Broncos was any 'heated' moments of the game would absolutely fire them up in defence and you'd see the entire pack fly off the line. That is just completely gone these days.

Carrigan reminds me a lot of Arrow. Makes quite the metres but doesn't have much else to his game.

I reckon you'll definitely improve next year. Hard to see them getting near the 8 though.

Yeah we are missing TPJ’s aggression but he can be hit and miss too.
The good teams have all or most of their players hitting the ball up with pace, but then continuing to fight for meters, a quick play of the ball or an offload.
The broncs players, with the exception of Staggs and a few others generally take the hit up from a fairly stationary position after a slow play of the ball, which allows the markers and defence line plenty of time to get into position with time to spare to have tea and a biscuit.

On the defensive side, the broncos tackling technique is uncoordinated and lazy, it’s like they don’t really know how to put someone one their back, often you see as the opponent is playing the ball a broncs player or two sometimes, sprawled on the ground and/ or struggling to get into marker position with a retreating defensive line.

I don’t know if it is fitness, effort/ attitude, technique, or maybe all of the above.
By the way they were able to turn the intensity up with 15 to go last night, I’d say attitude has a big part to play.

They can make the 8, just need an attitude adjustment and to weed out the players who aren’t putting in. A couple of key signings would help too.

 

[pagey]

I hate to say it because I despise the guy but you are definitely missing TPJ. Your pack just looks soft without the aggression he brings to the middle in both attack and defence. It's mind-blowing because one thing that always struck me with the Broncos was any 'heated' moments of the game would absolutely fire them up in defence and you'd see the entire pack fly off the line. That is just completely gone these days.

Carrigan reminds me a lot of Arrow. Makes quite the metres but doesn't have much else to his game.

I reckon you'll definitely improve next year. Hard to see them getting near the 8 though.

Lol , what a load of shit . We're missing almost half our starting team , add to that a new coach. We'll definitely be near the 8 you clown .

 

[mrslong]

When Gentle was brought in a lot of people said “just work on defence And the basics for the next few weeks”. That’s exactly what looks like has been happening.

 

[winslow_wong]

I don't think we'd be considered short if Haas was not required to play 80 every fucking week. I'm pretty sure the leading teams don't play a prop that way but I'm not certain about that. I think we are creating a problem by playing Haas so long. Imagine Haas gets injured next year, we'd have to find two props in a sense to cover his job. Haas can play 80 mins but not 80 mins of tough TPJ style prop play.

I'd rather drop him down to 45-55 mins worth but get him to be much more energetic in his runs and tougher in his defence. He just seems to be playing like a bench prop in his last season, plodding along, making his hitups and tackles, filling out his timesheet sort of thing, a going through the motions game. He may be subtly protesting his comparatively low wage and doing it unconsciously. I mean, why play like a superstar if you're getting paid like solid plodder?

Completely agree. Haas being made to play 80 is pure insanity. Besides being too young, I don’t think any forward should ever be playing 80 unless it’s 100% necessary due to an injury.

 

[Gaz]

Feel I have paid too much for my complimentary tickets.

 

[Jedhead]

After 15 or so minutes of last night's game, for the first time that I can remember I was taken by a feeling of ambivalence. There was no one to get excited about while watching a very mediocre effort from a group of broken individuals.

Staggs is usually good value for some excitement, but his lack of service and his woeful ball security shut that avenue down. Tommy Deardon's usual shine was lackluster as well. He had one of his poorer performances last night, but in all fairness he's still learning and some of his attempts to put forwards through holes were wasted by players either being too slow to read the play, or simply not motivated to hit the hole with conviction. I single out Fifita here, but there were others. Oates pulled off a couple of great hits to dislodge the ball but his attempt to catch the ball resembled a childless parent with a wet, newborn. Send him for a week to train with the Brisbane Lions FFS.

Kennedy was again noticeable for his long runs onto the ball and I often wonder if he has more improvement or whether we're seeing his best efforts while other more fancied props' arses collect splinters.

SOS had one good short kick I can remember that resulted in Darbs scoring, but the rest of his night was unfortunately highlight free. Patty Carrigan and big Haas both put in, but even these two looked like they were going through the motions waiting for the inevitable defeat to ruin the rest of their weekend. Something most bronco supporters can definitely relate to.

And Lexie, well mate your efforts to get on the field are to be applauded, but you were obviously so underdone. Seeing you being hit, bent double and then pushed back during a simple one-out hitup has to be counterproductive in terms of leading the young bucks around. It made for very uncomfortable viewing.

When the game finally ended I was cold. My misses asked me how we went and commented that she thought we must have been going really well as she never heard me shout or curse once throughout the game.

I can't imagine how the players are feeling.

Wake me up when it's 2021.