Broncos Player Movement and Rumours 2020

[upthebroncs]

They already tried that and failed. I don’t think Dearden will leave.
Walker will come in and wouldn’t be surprised if they sign Benji on min contract. They also have Lam sitting there.

I wouldn't mind it if the Broncos signed Lam. He is off contract this year.

 

[Blindside Bronco]

What is this thread about again ?

 

[upthebroncs]

What is this thread about again ?

Broncos Player Movement and Rumours 2020

 

[Blindside Bronco]

Broncos Player Movement and Rumours 2020

Ah wasn't sure I thought it was the act like Dr Phil thread. My mistake.

 

[Big Pete]

People jumping up and down about @Big Pete but seem to be mostly missing the point. Kennar getting a one year extension isn't a huge issue. In fact, you could without too much trouble actually argue that it was pretty justified, especially with what else was available for 2021.

The issue is when we're offering these sort of guys two year deals with no real justification for it. He's been decent, but a long way short of great, but most importantly, he simply isn't in demand out in the marketplace, so forgetting everything else, there is just no good business reason to make it a two year deal in this case.

We just MIGHT do well out of having him locked in for a second year, but frankly, the only person who is absolutely assured of doing well out of this is Kennar himself and his Manager. The most likely scenario though is he ends up getting paid for the next two years to mostly turn out in the Queensland Cup.

Exactly.

Even so, the only reason I stuck around in this thread is that I'm fascinated by wooden spoon recoveries and the value of depth signings.

It's why I brought up Travis Waddell. When he initially signed with the club there was a meltdown on here and while it wasn't as bad as what some of the doomsayers were saying he didn't bring a lot to that 9 position. He played 5/80 games for a 2-3 record and didn't provide the Broncos with many options. McCullough was still comfortably considered the better player and that hurt the club in the long term.

He wasn't the worst signing in terms of value but it was a waste.

Now the Broncos are in much worse shape than what they were in 2015. It wasn't just their worst season in club history, it was one of the worst seasons by any club period. They were barely a scratch above the 1999 Magpies and the 2016 Knights. It should be less about which players you want to get rid of and more about which players you actually want to keep moving forward. Unfortunately, the Broncos have already committed to 24 players, so there isn't a lot of wriggle room so you have to make it count. Signing a depth winger who isn't especially fast, isn't especially strong, isn't especially skilful, has never actually won a game at the club, all before the season has finished doesn't seem like it's going to improve the club.

Again maybe it's a sad indictment of the player market but even so a two year contract?

There's only two points I'd go back on.

It was unfair to call it a mistake by Kevie since it isn't official yet and we don't know terms or if the rumour is burying the lead (ie this allows Brisbane to afford a marquee player).

Also I wouldn't 'almost' release Kennar. He's already off contract, so I'd happily chase after a centre.

 

[upthebroncs]

Exactly.

Even so, the only reason I stuck around in this thread is that I'm fascinated by wooden spoon recoveries and the value of depth signings.

It's why I brought up Travis Waddell. When he initially signed with the club there was a meltdown on here and while it wasn't as bad as what some of the doomsayers were saying he didn't bring a lot to that 9 position. He played 5/80 games for a 2-3 record and didn't provide the Broncos with many options. McCullough was still comfortably considered the better player and that hurt the club in the long term.

He wasn't the worst signing in terms of value but it was a waste.

Now the Broncos are in much worse shape than what they were in 2015. It wasn't just their worst season in club history, it was one of the worst seasons by any club period. They were barely a scratch above the 1999 Magpies and the 2016 Knights. It should be less about which players you want to get rid of and more about which players you actually want to keep moving forward. Unfortunately, the Broncos have already committed to 24 players, so there isn't a lot of wriggle room so you have to make it count. Signing a depth winger who isn't especially fast, isn't especially strong, isn't especially skilful, has never actually won a game at the club, all before the season has finished doesn't seem like it's going to improve the club.

Again maybe it's a sad indictment of the player market but even so a two year contract?

There's only two points I'd go back on.

It was unfair to call it a mistake by Kevie since it isn't official yet and we don't know terms or if the rumour is burying the lead (ie this allows Brisbane to afford a marquee player).

Also I wouldn't 'almost' release Kennar. He's already off contract, so I'd happily chase after a centre.

Would you want Marion Seve back at the club after he has spent some time under the Bellamy regime? I think he'd be an astute buy.

 

[Big Pete]

Would you want Marion Seve back at the club after he has spent some time under the Bellamy regime? I think he'd be an astute buy.

I don't especially rate him but I would be open to it.

Kevie is up against it, but where he can I'd like to see him make his own mark.

 

[abashii]

Where would you spend your money Pete? Obviously the roster needs an overhaul to some degree, the starting 17 and the next row of depth spots need to be improved. But for the 3rd string guys who are really there for multiple injuries/suspension scenarios, would you prefer to see those spots given to young blokes who we can develop in ISC over time and cycle up into grade as and when needed, or older heads on their way out, or guys like Kennar who are reliable at a fairly low ceiling, or a mix, or something completely different? That also makes me think, not having cup this year really didn't help. It's hardly the sole or primary cause for our woes but not being able to have those guys develop or even keep match fit really couldn't have helped. Do we even know if it will be back next year? Everyone six montjs ago just seemed to assume 2021 would be back to normal but we're not too far away and there's no vaccine or anything else in sight with NSW and Victoria still spreading disease.

 

[Foordy]

Rumour is Kyle Flanagan could be shopped around at Roosters for next year. Maybe so they can make a play for Dearden?

They've got Sam Walker they want to rush in to the top grade

 

[007]

Lodge has 2+ years in his favour on his contract? I thought these stupid extensions stopped

 

[Alec]

If they're honestly just an emergency option to be only used for depth then it really only reiterates the pointlessness of making that a two year deal when it could comfortably have just been one.

It's him for 2 years or him for 1 year and then some other guy just playimg QLD cup for another year. Is there really a big difference?

 

[Lockysillegitimatechild]

They've got Sam Walker they want to rush in to the top grade

Sam walker better take note of what's happening to Kyle Flanagan, and what happened to Mitch Pearce, and to a lesser extent Jayden nikorima (he was a dickhead granted but he was also dropped like a hot potato after a few games, his indiscretions wouldn't have seen the light of day had he become a superstar thanks to uncle nick)..

I get that young players get awestruck by the roosters winning everything and uncle nicks poor golfing but if I was advising a boom rookie I'd tell them to wait until they were an established star to go there if they didn't think they could win a premiership where they were. 1 bad injury or 5 or 6 bad games and you are thrown out.

 

[Big Pete]

Where would you spend your money Pete?

The Broncos should be trying to prioritise 2022. Land a couple of smart signings like Harry Grant, Jaydn Su'A etc. and see if you can't get a deal done to get them here early.

I'm not sure who is available, but I'd be looking to bring in some NRL calibre backs. I'm looking at the Broncos backline right now and I'm picturing Niu, Coates, Bird, Farnworth, Arthars which quite frankly is a dogs breakfast. It doesn't seem like Addo-Carr has lined up a gig yet, would he be open to Brisbane? He apparently has family up here which was his big reason for leaving Melbourne.

If this Suaalii kid is half as good as what a lot of good judges are saying, I wouldn't hesitate to make him the Broncos fullback in 2021.

If we're looking at depth, a Cory Denniss type would be somebody I'd be OK with. If Brayden McGrady was willing to come to Brisbane on a train and trial contract and had a strong pre-season, I'd be OK with him in that depth role as well. However that's because I like big outside backs and in McGrady's case somebody who can find the try line and has only been let down due to injury.

I'm not sure what Kevie values, but I'd like to see him bring in players that fit his style. Whether it's speed, power, skill or even character show me that.

TL;DR - The Broncos should prioritise 2022, right now I don't think they should be signing back-ups considering the players in the starting team should be fringe first graders, I'd like to see some ballsy signings and I like big backs and I cannot lie.

EDIT: Also I 100% agree that a lack of Queensland Cup hurt the Broncos. They were rebuilding as a team and a lot of the younger players like Dearden, Coates, Paix, Niu etc. needed a fallback. It made getting out of the slump impossible because nobody was playing good footy to bring the team out of their funk.

I haven't seen anything in regards to it returning. I presume it is next year.

 

[upthebroncs]

Cheap bottom dollar backline

1. Edene Gebbie
2. Jon Reuben
3. BJ Aufauga Toomaga
4. Marion Seve
5. Gideon Mosby
6. Lachlan Lam
7. Tanah Boyd

If we had these players as depth, I'd be stoked

 

[Painin the Haas]

I know there isn’t much off contract that wouldn’t add anything more than depth right now, but there are numerous players under contract who can justify a release:

Allan: playing well at fullback, Broncos junior stuck behind Latrell, just use the whole ‘I want to play fullback’ excuse

Su’A: Sign him for 22 and Broker an early release

Capewell: respected player always in the 17 but not the starting 13, wants more opportunity. Salary cap pinch looming.

Asi/Tualagi: a lot in the air regarding cowboys backline, one if not both of these guys miss out and they could argue they are too good for reserve grade

Whare: I reckon should definitely be chased, he’s experienced and a defensive specialist who had a bad run with injuries. With their salary cap squeeze coming they might pay the freight

Fermor: did well for Titans this year but with their inbound recruits he might loose his spot in the side altogether

Nene McDonald: a try scoring specialist who can play win and centre, not in Cronulla’s starting side

Grant/Smith/Hunt: we all know their situations but if any do become available (and hunt realises his true calling) over the off season they are a must to strengthen the spine

 

[upthebroncs]

I know there isn’t much off contract that wouldn’t add anything more than depth right now, but there are numerous players under contract who can justify a release:

Allan: playing well at fullback, Broncos junior stuck behind Latrell, just use the whole ‘I want to play fullback’ excuse

Su’A: Sign him for 22 and Broker an early release

Capewell: respected player always in the 17 but not the starting 13, wants more opportunity. Salary cap pinch looming.

Asi/Tualagi: a lot in the air regarding cowboys backline, one if not both of these guys miss out and they could argue they are too good for reserve grade

Whare: I reckon should definitely be chased, he’s experienced and a defensive specialist who had a bad run with injuries. With their salary cap squeeze coming they might pay the freight

Fermor: did well for Titans this year but with their inbound recruits he might loose his spot in the side altogether

Nene McDonald: a try scoring specialist who can play win and centre, not in Cronulla’s starting side

Grant/Smith/Hunt: we all know their situations but if any do become available (and hunt realises his true calling) over the off season they are a must to strengthen the spine

Fair comment. I would not be mad if any of those guys were signed.

I'd like to see Allan and Su'a back here at Broncos for sure. I think Su'a would be a hard one to pry out of South Sydney though. Allan is much more achievable and he's proven now that he is NRL standard.. He probably could have proved it earlier.. If he were given a chance earlier.

McDonald has been a bit of an idiot in the past. If he had his head screwed on then yeah him and Coates on the wings could be quite damaging.

Whare is solid. He could definitely provide what we need in the centres.

 

[upthebroncs]

I know there isn’t much off contract that wouldn’t add anything more than depth right now, but there are numerous players under contract who can justify a release:

Allan: playing well at fullback, Broncos junior stuck behind Latrell, just use the whole ‘I want to play fullback’ excuse

Su’A: Sign him for 22 and Broker an early release

Capewell: respected player always in the 17 but not the starting 13, wants more opportunity. Salary cap pinch looming.

Asi/Tualagi: a lot in the air regarding cowboys backline, one if not both of these guys miss out and they could argue they are too good for reserve grade

Whare: I reckon should definitely be chased, he’s experienced and a defensive specialist who had a bad run with injuries. With their salary cap squeeze coming they might pay the freight

Fermor: did well for Titans this year but with their inbound recruits he might loose his spot in the side altogether

Nene McDonald: a try scoring specialist who can play win and centre, not in Cronulla’s starting side

Grant/Smith/Hunt: we all know their situations but if any do become available (and hunt realises his true calling) over the off season they are a must to strengthen the spine

So if most of those guys were signed maybe our starting side would look like this..

1. Corey Allan
2. Nene McDonald
3. Dean Whare
4. Kotoni Staggs
5. Xavier Coates
6. Anthony Milford
7. Thomas Dearden
8. Payne Haas
9. Harry Grant
10. Tevita Pangai
11. Kurt Capewell
12. Jaydn Su'a
13. Patrick Carrigan

 

[Sproj]

I know there isn’t much off contract that wouldn’t add anything more than depth right now, but there are numerous players under contract who can justify a release:

Allan: playing well at fullback, Broncos junior stuck behind Latrell, just use the whole ‘I want to play fullback’ excuse

Su’A: Sign him for 22 and Broker an early release

Capewell: respected player always in the 17 but not the starting 13, wants more opportunity. Salary cap pinch looming.

Asi/Tualagi: a lot in the air regarding cowboys backline, one if not both of these guys miss out and they could argue they are too good for reserve grade

Whare: I reckon should definitely be chased, he’s experienced and a defensive specialist who had a bad run with injuries. With their salary cap squeeze coming they might pay the freight

Fermor: did well for Titans this year but with their inbound recruits he might loose his spot in the side altogether

Nene McDonald: a try scoring specialist who can play win and centre, not in Cronulla’s starting side

Grant/Smith/Hunt: we all know their situations but if any do become available (and hunt realises his true calling) over the off season they are a must to strengthen the spine

Excellent post, totally agree.

I’d be prioritising it this way:

1. Grant
2. Su’A
3. Allan
4. Capewell
5. Whare

All except Grant are 100% gettable for next year in my opinion.