PRE-GAME [Round 23, 2025] Broncos vs Storm

[BroncsFan]

If Piaks is out for an extended period then our backrow stocks are pretty depleted yet again given Willison was becoming the backup backrower earlier in the year.

It's basically Riki, Gos and Jhunt as 'recognised' backrowers left across the squad.

Has Talty played much second row? I think he was mostly prop / lock in NSW Cup, but if he can't then I'd say Jhunt has to come into the 17 moving forward.

 

[Super Freak]

Has Talty played much second row? I think he was mostly prop / lock in NSW Cup, but if he can't then I'd say Jhunt has to come into the 17 moving forward.

Started off as a second rower in NSW Cup then made the switch to the middle third early in the '22 season. Played a few more games there but mostly lock/front row.

 

[bb_gun]

I think we need to start planning for no Piakura moving forward. You can't really build a team around a player who misses so much game time due to head knocks; also we need to think about his welfare as well. It sucks but CTE is serious shit.

 

[Sproj]

I think we need to start planning for no Piakura moving forward. You can't really build a team around a player who misses so much game time due to head knocks; also we need to think about his welfare as well. It sucks but CTE is serious shit.

Agreed. Bring back Difita!

 

[Jedhead]

I think Cobbo has the build and the talent to fill in there for a few weeks but whether he’s able to defend as a second rower I’m not sure.

 

[Foordy]

Agreed. Bring back Difita!

 

[bb_gun]

Agreed. Bring back Difita!

I've come around a bit on this idea. If he was prepared to take a massive pay cut, then I don't really see the issue. We all know of his potential, and while he has massively regressed at the Tits, a change of club and a new coach in Madge might be exactly what he needs to get back to his best.

Would still probably prefer Jibasaki but who knows if that will ever happen.

 

[Skathen]

I've come around a bit on this idea. If he was prepared to take a massive pay cut, then I don't really see the issue. We all know of his potential, and while he has massively regressed at the Tits, a change of club and a new coach in Madge might be exactly what he needs to get back to his best.

Would still probably prefer Jibasaki but who knows if that will ever happen.

He couldn't even aim up for QLD when it mattered. Could be a beast, destined to be Coal Train 2.0.

 

[bb_gun]

He couldn't even aim up for QLD when it mattered. Could be a beast, destined to be Coal Train 2.0.

I was thinking for $300K-$350K it could be worth the risk but like you say, he is probably destined to be another "what could've been" player.

 

[Mr Fourex]

I've come around a bit on this idea. If he was prepared to take a massive pay cut, then I don't really see the issue. We all know of his potential, and while he has massively regressed at the Tits, a change of club and a new coach in Madge might be exactly what he needs to get back to his best.

Would still probably prefer Jibasaki but who knows if that will ever happen.

 

[Mr Fourex]

I was thinking for $300K-$350K it could be worth the risk ...........

Definitely is......... 1 season. Show us something Dave.

We won't get it every week, but there will be a purple patch.......

Special player. He's almost DT, but not quite. Coal Train's kicking game was another level.

 

[Dexter]

You have to ask if he's worth the effort.
Like doggie style arse waft.

 

[Harry]

The good news about second row is that it's a very simple position. If we could find a diamond in the rough like Shibasaki to play centre, we should be able to pick up someone cheap who can just run and tackle hard and get the job done in the back row.

 

[Super Freak]

I hope we have a plan for Coates.

Mariner marking up on him doesn't fill me with confidence. We need to be on Munster like a fly on shit whenever he's close enough for an attacking kick.

 

[McHunt]

I hope we have a plan for Coates.

Mariner marking up on him doesn't fill me with confidence. We need to be on Munster like a fly on shit whenever he's close enough for an attacking kick.

https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/inside-brisbanes-plot-to-defuse-melbourne-storm-aerial-weapon-xavier-coates/news-story/d6cc1c3fbb767d7c26adf019a1be290a?amp

Read it here:

https://archive.md/v3Fxe

 

[BroncsFan]

https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/inside-brisbanes-plot-to-defuse-melbourne-storm-aerial-weapon-xavier-coates/news-story/d6cc1c3fbb767d7c26adf019a1be290a?amp

Read it here:

https://archive.md/v3Fxe

Need good blockers running back to the ball and need to be physical in the air against him.

Mariner should literally just jump into him... attackers do it against defenders to cause errors... aim to meet the ball 0.5-1m in front of where it will land and just jump into him... all you need is eyes on the ball apparently.

At worst just volleyball it backwards over the deadball line... if he gets a finger to it then it's a knock on and 7 tackle set.

This all assumes that the refs and bunker will actually officiate the game with some consistency, which we all know won't happen in melbourne

 

[Big Del]

https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/inside-brisbanes-plot-to-defuse-melbourne-storm-aerial-weapon-xavier-coates/news-story/d6cc1c3fbb767d7c26adf019a1be290a?amp

Read it here:

https://archive.md/v3Fxe

I didn`t think he would ever turn into the aerial threat he has .
I criticised his hand eye co ordination . He could contest ,well , but never come down with the ball .
He has evolved though . A season or two ago it was about batting the ball back to team mates . But not actually catching the ball . Now he is catching high above his opponents and putting it down for tries . I never expected that .

 

[Harry Sack]

I was thinking for $300K-$350K it could be worth the risk but like you say, he is probably destined to be another "what could've been" player.

Can you imagine the outrage if we managed to get him for that? The fact that he's been absolutely shit for the last couple of years would be completely forgotten.