PRE-GAME [Round 27, 2025] Broncos vs Storm

[McHunt]

Agreed. I’ve always rated Smoothy. I guess if Reynolds is on the bench, you can slot either of Hunt or Walters into 9. It’s a massive reshuffle though for a guy who may come on, pull a hammy and walk straight back off.

Reynolds might only get 15 minutes at 7, with whatever shuffle is needed. Smoothy could even move into the forwards. It all depends on Walsh staying fit. I've been impressed with how seamlessly we transitioned Billy into 6 but remain skeptical he can cover the role without Walsh doing most of the lifting in attack.

Unfortunately, if any team has the rat cunning to remove Walsh from the field, it's Melbourne. I'd go as far tactically as saying I'd rather play 12 against 13 than try to contain Walsh.

 

[theshed]

I like our chances in this game.


Was highly skeptical of Walters at 6, but the Hunt/Walters/Walsh combo is the best we've clicked all year. Mainly because Walsh has assumed the playmaking role.

Not sure where to point the finger, with Walsh pretty much assuming the 6 role in attack and Billy playing some kind of hooker hybrid but chiming into the backline to good effect occasionally. Suffice to say, we might be missing Mam's creativity, but not the leadership void around Reynolds.

We also look better with Smoothy at dummy half.

When Reynolds returns, I'd be loathe to start him. I'd probably go:

9. Smoothy
6. Walters
7. Hunt
14. Reynolds

Then mix and match.

We’ve averaged 40 points a game with the current spine. Points obviously aren’t a problem.

I would be hesitant to bring in any players unless they are capable of
Improving our defence.

 

[Matheos]

Mam is still at least a few weeks away. So the logical lineup for finals is:
6 Hunt
7 Reynolds

Big decision for Madge on the hooking rotation.

Not gonna lie, the last few games Billy's shown more of an engine and fitness.
I'd be tempted to go Billy 9 and Smoothy 14
2023 vibes

 

[FACTHUNT]

Our odds have shortened from $2.10 to $1.90. Maybe the bookies have wind of Munster & Paps being rested.

They are $2.65 to win the prem and we are $14. The bookies know something.

 

[Battler]

Thats big news, although on form Sharks probably still beat Bulldogs (they've really dropped off).

The sharks were rubbish on the weekend against a horrific knights side that’s clocked off the year. The knights were owning them until momentum swung and then the knights just gave up. The dogs are bad atm, but they will stay in the game for 80 minutes

I expect manly to beat the wahs in dce’s last game with a slim chance of playing finals on the line

Edit: the sharks could also have Trindall out so nicho ‘the king of the choke’ ‘Joey Johns against bottom 4 sides’ hynes may very well go to water if the top 4 is on the line against a top 8 quality side

 

[McHunt]

We’ve averaged 40 points a game with the current spine. Points obviously aren’t a problem.

I would be hesitant to bring in any players unless they are capable of
Improving our defence.

I can’t see Madge dropping Reynolds if he’s fit. Points might be a very big problem if Walsh limps off.

 

[Trill Harrigan]

Reynolds might only get 15 minutes at 7, with whatever shuffle is needed. Smoothy could even move into the forwards. It all depends on Walsh staying fit. I've been impressed with how seamlessly we transitioned Billy into 6 but remain skeptical he can cover the role without Walsh doing most of the lifting in attack.

Unfortunately, if any team has the rat cunning to remove Walsh from the field, it's Melbourne. I'd go as far tactically as saying I'd rather play 12 against 13 than try to contain Walsh.

i wouldn't put it past bellamy to tell NAS to bountygate him

2 scum *****

 

[McHunt]

i wouldn't put it past bellamy to tell NAS to bountygate him

2 scum *****

He won’t task someone he needs for the finals.

 

[Trill Harrigan]

He won’t task someone he needs for the finals.

have you been watching nas this year? he's cooked and only good for one thing, grubby shots

 

[Howie]

Absolutely unreal, isn't it. Bellyache's grudge against Brisbane needs to be studied for psychological purposes.

Sometime last year I went through the Storm-Bronx resuls on the RLP site.

Up to and including the '06 GF it was pretty much an even split. But right after that, the divergence started to develop to the point where it was 5-to-1 to the Storm. Maybe more now.

The "story" I had was that CB was looking to succeed Wayne sometime around '03 but was all but dissed off by the Broncos. In any event though it certainly seems to me like some decision got made, a "switch" was flipped, but something went down at AAMI after that '06 GF. Surely there's a story to be told there ...

 

[Fozz]

Sometime last year I went through the Storm-Bronx resuls on the RLP site.

Up to and including the '06 GF it was pretty much an even split. But right after that, the divergence started to develop to the point where it was 5-to-1 to the Storm. Maybe more now.

The "story" I had was that CB was looking to succeed Wayne sometime around '03 but was all but dissed off by the Broncos. In any event though it certainly seems to me like some decision got made, a "switch" was flipped, but something went down at AAMI after that '06 GF. Surely there's a story to be told there ...

We broke Bellyache so badly in the 06 GF they had to cheat the salary cap.

 

[Broncapz]

We broke Bellyache so badly in the 06 GF they had to cheat the salary cap.

..and continue cheating the salary cap to this day.

 

[theshed]

I can’t see Madge dropping Reynolds if he’s fit. Points might be a very big problem if Walsh limps off.

Me either. It would be a huge call, and one of those decisions where there is a clear safe option from a public perception perspective - even if it may not be as open and shut from a pragmatic point of view

 

[Jedhead]

Our odds have shortened from $2.10 to $1.90. Maybe the bookies have wind of Munster & Paps being rested.

They are $2.65 to win the prem and we are $14. The bookies know something.

You're sounding suspiciously like you believe the whole box and dice is not rigged.

Remember - "it's entertainment". It ceased to be a sport immediately after the Super league war.

 

[Giddyupbroncos]

Reynolds might only get 15 minutes at 7, with whatever shuffle is needed. Smoothy could even move into the forwards. It all depends on Walsh staying fit. I've been impressed with how seamlessly we transitioned Billy into 6 but remain skeptical he can cover the role without Walsh doing most of the lifting in attack.

Unfortunately, if any team has the rat cunning to remove Walsh from the field, it's Melbourne. I'd go as far tactically as saying I'd rather play 12 against 13 than try to contain Walsh.

Not sure what the team gets from Reynold coming back semi-injured into the line-up. I do see some negatives though. Hamstrings in an older player have high repeat issue. His kicking would be impacted and similarly his off-the-mark speed. If he goes down early in the match it would also significant impact rotations. I'd leave hunt and walters where they are. Combinations are building and we are seeing the benefits of walshey when he has first and second touch options.

 

[Super Freak]

NRL Throwback will have a premiere of our win against the Storm in Round 17, '98 at 6pm for those interested.

 

[FACTHUNT]

You're sounding suspiciously like you believe the whole box and dice is not rigged.

Remember - "it's entertainment". It ceased to be a sport immediately after the Super league war.

Trueeeee. Pls rig us for 4th lord NRL, for entertainment purposes pls

 

[Renegade]

Alright everyone, bend over and touch your ankles please. Let's make it quick and as painless as possible.