Round 14 - Raiders vs Broncos

[Organix]

I don't actually mind this.

taking him back down for a chance at much bigger minutes will be good for his long term development

If that's the case, I agree. But it looks to me like Walters had some plan for the origin period anyway, so he's just sticking to that. I just find Bullemore quite a good prospect relative to the others, but yeah his minutes are restricted. Far out, I just want Broncos to be competitive again. The moment the look like they are getting the hang of it they cop some momentum shift and it's all at sea

 

[Mustafur]

Bullemor Is supposedly our fittest player why does he struggle for minutes under Kev, he gets barely any time to prove himself and even then I find he plays well.

 

[broncsgoat]

Are you sure he was dropped? I'm certain I heard he's ill. Mind you, his terrible miss led to the first St George try.

5 days out…. You’d have to be pretty ill to get ruled out so far in advance not even on the reserves.

I see this point was already made before I said it but I agree 100%

 

[BroncsFan]

I just don't get dropping Gamble for Hunt. As Huge has said above, didn't someone say that Gamble is ill or something? Otherwise I'd have him on the bench in case Hunt shits the bed at the very least. Don't get Mead being dropped either but I think that's just smoke and mirrors. I don't think Coates will back up after Origin and Mead will come in. Flegler at 13 over Asiata? Didn't we buy Asiata specifically to be a ball playing Lock? Is this just a case of Kev naming people in one spot but playing them in another? Or is he just throwing darts at a board on Tuesday morning? Flegler is a fucking potato anyway ffs.

Flegler has been getting named lock since Carrigan got injured. He was playing prop recently due to Lodge being suspended and Haas origin.

He plays the first stint before Asiata comes on mid half... unfortunately Flegler then returns to close the game out.

 

[BroncsFan]

Realised this is the first game since roosters we may have Lodge and Haas as starting props again

 

[WASSHHH]

Yep again, all really good points and I don't disagree with any of it. I don't mind Kevvie trying out his squad and seeing who sinks and who swims but it all needs to be done in a more planned manner.

It is painfully obvious our squad is awful, even with some of the really exciting talent coming through but you can't bring them all in at once. Guys like Kennedy, Gamble, Oates, Mead, Copley, Lodge, Haas, Asiata, TPJ, Farnworth and Carrigan should be backbones of the squad as they are all seasoned vets or at least consistent enough players but aside from Carrigan and obviously Staggs, they've all either been in and out of the side or being shopped elsewhere.

Meanwhile we have our second consecutive captain who has gone on two years too long and shouldn't even be on the bench, let alone starting. We have kids who are not ready and are in some weeks, out others for goodness knows what reason and then there's Flegler. I love the kid but he is a kid and he needs a spell in reserves but instead, he keeps getting thrown to the wolves. Our youth is so promising but so many are being thrown to said wolves before they are ready.

Why is Kevvie insistent on dropping Mead and Oates? Oates especially was pretty good upon return from first grade, what was going on there? There just doesn't seem to be any method to all this madness, that's the concern.

Up until your last paragraph, most of that is out of Walters’ control. I mean, I’m not being funny, but he has to pick 17 players each week. He inherited the squad he did and the rumoured terrible salary cap, so he can only pick from what he has available to him (and by all reports, has little scope to change the squad from a recruitment perspective).

I am not saying he’s right, I am more saying he’s on a hiding to nothing. If he didn’t make changes, he’d be slammed. If he makes too many changes, he’s slammed. But you can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different (read better) results.

Mead is a head scratcher though. Oates has been OK for the most part. But he doesn’t really provide much threat on the flank. I actually think his body is just too banged up to play first grade on the wing any longer. He’s always been slow off the mark with terrible agility. It’s only got worse.

 

[Dazza 92]

i give Kev props for using Q-cup players to bring into the side....at least they have runs on the board and a chance to prove themselves. However i reckon quite a few of our so-called young guns need time down there too...

For instance, if he thinks its time to recall Paix then drop Bullemor or Riki etc down there, and give them a few weeks of 80 minute football.

Long term, its the right thing to do. Lets hope that continues.

Unfortunately, it does mean a heap of churn for the 1st team, but this year is a write off...

 

[Dazza 92]

Up until your last paragraph, most of that is out of Walters’ control. I mean, I’m not being funny, but he has to pick 17 players each week. He inherited the squad he did and the rumoured terrible salary cap, so he can only pick from what he has available to him (and by all reports, has little scope to change the squad from a recruitment perspective).

I am not saying he’s right, I am more saying he’s on a hiding to nothing. If he didn’t make changes, he’d be slammed. If he makes too many changes, he’s slammed. But you can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different (read better) results.

Mead is a head scratcher though. Oates has been OK for the most part. But he doesn’t really provide much threat on the flank. I actually think his body is just too banged up to play first grade on the wing any longer. He’s always been slow off the mark with terrible agility. It’s only got worse.

Kevs first real decision to make in terms of roster was Walsh.

Seems pretty clear now in hindsight that was the first large crack in the veneer of his "cultural reboot" thesis...

He could have really put a marker down as a good talent spotter by fighting to keep him.

 

[1910]

Is this a planned move ?

Not too sure, but Bullemor, Piakura and Riki all starting on Saturday. Gamble in the halves- if Gamble plays well they could all have a day out.

It'll be good for them to play against the Hunters, hard physical battle. Wouldn't be surprised if they can't play NRL for three week after it.

 

[WASSHHH]

Kevs first real decision to make in terms of roster was Walsh.

Seems pretty clear now in hindsight that was the first large crack in the veneer of his "cultural reboot" thesis...

He could have really put a marker down as a good talent spotter by fighting to keep him.

It’s not that simple though.

Sure, I may want a Porsche 911 992. But when I can only afford a used Mk7.5 Golf R, I can only get a used Mk7.5 Golf R.

Although if we are being honest, Isaako is more a replica 911 992. From the outside, he looks the part, but where it matters, he’s just a clapped out flat 4 lifted from an old Holden Astra.

 

[Mightybroncs2k17]

These continual selection changes are starting to get concerning. Given our poor performances you would expect the axe to be swung but there seems no method to the madness.

If i was to try and explain some of the selections I'd hope the Bullemor non selection is about development and giving him some big minutes in Q cup. The Palasia selection similar I'd say to give him time in first grade and same with the Cobbo selection over Mead.

The gamble one i can only hope is illness as has been rumoured but Saturday is still a long time away to recover. You could make an argument that Kevvie is making his players accountable for the results however if that was the case surely Flegler gets a stint in Q cup to work on his discipline.

If we are going to be brutally honest, i can see us capitulating again here. And even more honesty we are a major injury to Payne Hass away from ending the season the same as 2020 and claiming another wooden spoon.

Kevvie needs to pull a rabbit out of his hat very soon.

 

[BroncosFever]

Gamble's debut was huge for us at the time and we all got excited as we as a collective fanbase were crying out for a halfback to take control of the team and show a bit of mongrel but since then for whatever reason he has tapered off a bit.

 

[Foordy]

Gamble's debut was huge for us at the time and we all got excited as we as a collective fanbase were crying out for a halfback to take control of the team and show a bit of mongrel but since then for whatever reason he has tapered off a bit.

tends to happen to players that are really only ISC standard. able to get up for a week or 2 ... but eventually they start playing to their levels

 

[theshed]

These continual selection changes are starting to get concerning. Given our poor performances you would expect the axe to be swung but there seems no method to the madness.

If i was to try and explain some of the selections I'd hope the Bullemor non selection is about development and giving him some big minutes in Q cup. The Palasia selection similar I'd say to give him time in first grade and same with the Cobbo selection over Mead.

The gamble one i can only hope is illness as has been rumoured but Saturday is still a long time away to recover. You could make an argument that Kevvie is making his players accountable for the results however if that was the case surely Flegler gets a stint in Q cup to work on his discipline.

If we are going to be brutally honest, i can see us capitulating again here. And even more honesty we are a major injury to Payne Hass away from ending the season the same as 2020 and claiming another wooden spoon.

Kevvie needs to pull a rabbit out of his hat very soon.

I doubt the Gamble illness line is too true, as you say Saturday is a while away and he’s been named for Q Cup I believe.

The only way I can justify all the changes is that Kev is cycling through players as a development tool instead of caring about results. Perhaps giving all the younger guys a taste at first grade while also giving them time to develop in Q Cup.

Of course, this theory goes out the window when you consider Gamble won’t gain anything further from playing Q Cup, nor did Milford, Croft, or Deardens musical chairs have any relevance to next year as almost none will be here. Hunt almost certainly won’t play again next year so that is also a pointless change.

Naming Coates over Mead also makes no sense because Coates won’t be here next year and Mead has been solid and actually will be here next year.

Yeah, I dunno wtf Kev is doing. I think he really needed to at least settle the spine as much as possible and 13. Asiata, 7. Gamble, 6. Kelly should’ve played out the year if possible. Not because they are even necessarily the best options (though they probably are) but so those around them who will be here next year have some stability.

 

[1910]

Gamble's debut was huge for us at the time and we all got excited as we as a collective fanbase were crying out for a halfback to take control of the team and show a bit of mongrel but since then for whatever reason he has tapered off a bit.

Honestly it was never going any other way.

Agree, the problem with long term ISC players is they can get themselves up for their first games- they've waited 25 years for it but then the grind of week to week settles in and in a month they're stuffed. Mentally and physically exhausted.

 

[McBroncos]

Genuine question - as fans would we care if Kevie came out and said he doesn't care about results this season? As others have touched on, it seems he is using mass rotations as a way to test the waters for next season as well as speed up development. Personally, I'm fine with this approach. But would be interesting to see the reaction from the fan base if he came out and said it.

 

[Foordy]

Genuine question - as fans would we care if Kevie came out and said he doesn't care about results this season? As others have touched on, it seems he is using mass rotations as a way to test the waters for next season as well as speed up development. Personally, I'm fine with this approach. But would be interesting to see the reaction from the fan base if he came out and said it.

they'd rip him a new one ... even if they themselves said that's what he should do

 

[broncsgoat]

Honestly it was never going any other way.

I feel like Turpin is similar (just with fewer ISC games).