Broncos Roster, Signings and Rumours Discussion 2021

[Big Pete]

Holmes? Hunt? Johnson even? TTurbo as well (because with his injuries, he isn't offering much)?

I'm not disagreeing with the point you are making either by the way, just kind of showing regardless the reasons, it goes both ways.

I think you're getting too caught up in the 'what you pay for' comment. Yes clubs throw ridiculous money around but that isn't reserved for spine positions which are the most coveted positions.

My point is you have to put a higher value on those key roles otherwise you're going to end up in the Broncos position where they've got two fill-ins are fullback and hooker and a reject halfback.

I actually don't have a problem with a couple of those examples, just bad luck if anything in some cases.

 

[Fitzy]

Oates pulled off two sensational tackles today and one of them was crucial in timing as the Bears had all the momentum. I think it was on Jonas Pearson and it absolutely cut him in half making him spill the ball. I’d still give him another week or two in Qcup though to make sure he gets some confidence and some real hunger to be back in first grade. Deardon had a very underwhelming game for me and when you consider the cattle he had in his backline he should have went a lot better. He still needs to learn wet weather footy. I don’t think he once engaged the line and then called a runner inside to change the angle of attack.

When the Bears came back from being 20-4 down to equalise a lot of heads went down when they were gathered behind the posts, it was KHunt who strolled into the middle of them and gave a short rallying chat. The boys never looked back after that.

Yeah I don’t think Dearden had such a good controlling game but considering he was in the 6 jersey he played a very eyes up footy game and came away with 2 meat pies cause of it

 

[Big Pete]

What would you with the spine, Pete?

This season; next season, and beyond

Right now I'd be focused on my Top 30 to see what we actually have to work with. My first decision on the signings front is trying to find two players I can bring into help this group. They'd be the two best players who can't get a go with their club and just want an opportunity. It wouldn't be a long term commitment but it helps bolster the squad. If I can open up more spots I'll continue to make some more changes. I'd also be very strategic with my train and trial deals and would be keeping a very close eye on the QCup and NSW Cup competitions. If I can snag myself a Tom Eisenhuth or Aaron Pene I'd be happy as Larry.

At this stage, I'm leaning towards a 6. Tom Dearden 7. Adam Reynolds combination. I'm not entirely sure what the options are like at fullback, but that's another area I'd be looking to target as well.

I'd also be making a concerted effort to make sure the development pathways are strong and we're getting the best talent from schoolboy Rugby League and Union coming through our programs. This is extremely important because Brisbane II is going to keep us extremely honest in this regard.

One thing that could be a blessing with Brisbane II is that we may see more money put into the schoolboys systems which is an area I feel Brisbane Rugby League has been sorely let down in. Most of the private Brisbane Boys schools abandoned league a long time ago and I believe AIC only brought it back a year or so ago. Even then, it's a Term 3 sport so it's not as big a priority as Rugby for a lot of schools.

 

[Dexter]

The Broncos paid a million because of the state of the market at the time and the NRL's inability to set a salary cap so players like Hunt were being offered $1.2 million contracts.

I've got no issue with them offering Milford marquee money, what was the alternative? And would the alternative have thrived in this environment Karl Morris created?

I didn't have a problem with what we paid Milf at the time but I do now.
I still hold hope that Kev can get him going and he can kick back but there is no way we can commit to another 3 years at 1 mill.

 

[Fitzy]

Right now I'd be focused on my Top 30 to see what we actually have to work with. My first decision on the signings front is trying to find two players I can bring into help this group. They'd be the two best players who can't get a go with their club and just want an opportunity. It wouldn't be a long term commitment but it helps bolster the squad. If I can open up more spots I'll continue to make some more changes. I'd also be very strategic with my train and trial deals and would be keeping a very close eye on the QCup and NSW Cup competitions. If I can snag myself a Tom Eisenhuth or Aaron Pene I'd be happy as Larry.

At this stage, I'm leaning towards a 6. Tom Dearden 7. Adam Reynolds combination. I'm not entirely sure what the options are like at fullback, but that's another area I'd be looking to target as well.

I'd also be making a concerted effort to make sure the development pathways are strong and we're getting the best talent from schoolboy Rugby League and Union coming through our programs. This is extremely important because Brisbane II is going to keep us extremely honest in this regard.

One thing that could be a blessing with Brisbane II is that we may see more money put into the schoolboys systems which is an area I feel Brisbane Rugby League has been sorely let down in. Most of the private Brisbane Boys schools abandoned league a long time ago and I believe AIC only brought it back a year or so ago. Even then, it's a Term 3 sport so it's not as big a priority as Rugby for a lot of schools.

Yeah the private schools abandoned league but the players can develop at such a high level with a lot more facilities... sadly the broncos have started to move away from signing anyone at these private schools however if you sign the best few percent of players in the competition both gps and aic as well as your Keebra, pbc and wavell players we will be doing fine I just think that their is a whole element of talent their that we could really try and target... like for example Bullemor, Croft and Carrigan came out of these union playing schools and you know whilst Bullemor is unproven and Croft is at a road block in his career you can find some very good players... other good league players that went to union schools are Murray, Crichton (Angus), Gilbert, Asi, Ponga, Su’A, Tabuai-Fidow, Howarth, Suaalii, Walker and that’s just naming a few off the top of my head

 

[Old Mate]

Sign Dearden pls.

 

[Dazza 92]

I didn't have a problem with what we paid Milf at the time but I do now.
I still hold hope that Kev can get him going and he can kick back but there is no way we can commit to another 3 years at 1 mill.

well if we wanted to tempt Reynolds here for the rets of his playing career then thats where Milfs money would have to go...we would have to accept overs to even get him to consider it...he would leave Souths who are a million miles closer to winning a comp than we are...

But who is both better than Reynolds as a half back AND potentially available?

 

[Kooly87]

Right now I'd be focused on my Top 30 to see what we actually have to work with. My first decision on the signings front is trying to find two players I can bring into help this group. They'd be the two best players who can't get a go with their club and just want an opportunity. It wouldn't be a long term commitment but it helps bolster the squad. If I can open up more spots I'll continue to make some more changes. I'd also be very strategic with my train and trial deals and would be keeping a very close eye on the QCup and NSW Cup competitions. If I can snag myself a Tom Eisenhuth or Aaron Pene I'd be happy as Larry.

At this stage, I'm leaning towards a 6. Tom Dearden 7. Adam Reynolds combination. I'm not entirely sure what the options are like at fullback, but that's another area I'd be looking to target as well.

I'd also be making a concerted effort to make sure the development pathways are strong and we're getting the best talent from schoolboy Rugby League and Union coming through our programs. This is extremely important because Brisbane II is going to keep us extremely honest in this regard.

One thing that could be a blessing with Brisbane II is that we may see more money put into the schoolboys systems which is an area I feel Brisbane Rugby League has been sorely let down in. Most of the private Brisbane Boys schools abandoned league a long time ago and I believe AIC only brought it back a year or so ago. Even then, it's a Term 3 sport so it's not as big a priority as Rugby for a lot of schools.

I can see the appeal of Reynolds, but I think in reality this would be a reasonable chance of not working out all that well for us.

Firstly, he's likely to be fairly expensive. Halfback's always are and in Reynolds' case a move to Brisbane would definitely not come cheap given he has no history with us and would likely want great money to pack his family up and leave Sydney.

Secondly, he's probably at least two years too old to be paying good money for. I get that he comes with a wealth of experience because of his age, but the likelihood is that he's already played his best football and would probably be steadily declining throughout his next contract. Souths obviously recognise this as being likely too because they've got far more reason to retain him than we do and even they aren't willing to offer him a long term deal.

 

[Midean]

I can see the appeal of Reynolds, but I think in reality this would be a reasonable chance of not working out all that well for us.

Firstly, he's likely to be fairly expensive. Halfback's always are and in Reynolds' case a move to Brisbane would definitely not come cheap given he has no history with us and would likely want great money to pack his family up and leave Sydney.

Secondly, he's probably at least two years too old to be paying good money for. I get that he comes with a wealth of experience because of his age, but the likelihood is that he's already played his best football and would probably be steadily declining throughout his next contract. Souths obviously recognise this as being likely too because they've got far more reason to retain him than we do and even they aren't willing to offer him a long term deal.

Agreed, 2 years ago maybe. Plus he is injury prone and that wont get better with age.

 

[Gaz]

well if we wanted to tempt Reynolds here for the rets of his playing career then thats where Milfs money would have to go...we would have to accept overs to even get him to consider it...he would leave Souths who are a million miles closer to winning a comp than we are...

But who is both better than Reynolds as a half back AND potentially available?

We can't keep all our own at the minute so will be a long period before we are in a position to go shopping. You would expect if Milf left - his money would be urgently directed towards retention rather than recruitment but who knows with our mob.

 

[Xzei]

But who is both better than Reynolds as a half back AND potentially available?

cant for the life of me remember his name but the young guy over in england that had the dust up with cherry evans when he was at manly was playing some good football over there,would prolly get him at half the price of milford and he would be keen as shit for an opportunity you would think.

 

[Kooly87]

Agreed, 2 years ago maybe. Plus he is injury prone and that wont get better with age.

I actually had it (correctly) pointed out to me that he isn't actually as injury prone as his reputation might suggest, but even putting that aside, his age alone means an increased risk of injury even without being particularly injury prone to start with.

 

[Kooly87]

cant for the life of me remember his name but the young guy over in england that had the dust up with cherry evans when he was at manly was playing some good football over there,would prolly get him at half the price of milford and he would be keen as shit for an opportunity you would think.

Jackson Hastings

 

[Kimlo]

cant for the life of me remember his name but the young guy over in england that had the dust up with cherry evans when he was at manly was playing some good football over there,would prolly get him at half the price of milford and he would be keen as shit for an opportunity you would think.

Jackson Hastings, last I checked he was doing very well in SL too.

 

[Xzei]

Thats the guy im sure i read last year he was keen to come back to the nrl

 

[Fitzy]

Jackson Hastings, last I checked he was doing very well in SL too.

Yep and he has had a real attitude check and look in the mirror by the sounds of it... I have watched some podcasts and he is very mature and has taken accountability for his attitude

 

[Fozz]

This time last year I would've said SL is a different beast from the NRL and average players from the NRL can look like superstars over there but with the rules changes I think Hastings would do well now.

 

[Kimlo]

Thats the guy im sure i read last year he was keen to come back to the nrl

I'd be 100% for it. The reality is there's no one this end of the world worth signing that we wouldn't have to pay through the roof for, or isn't old and just about finished.

Hastings is 25, and he definitely was keen to come back to Aus, so it could be a smart value buy but I really don't watch that competition so I don't actually know what sort of player he is.

@Cult3 was it you that watched a bit of SL?